Christians: Is lying a SIN no matter the situation?

Question

One of the things I find much easier to grasp with regards to morality after becoming atheist is the concept of lying.

As a christian it seemed that the Bible says 'lying is a sin' no matter what. Even if your intentions are good it is still wrong.

For example: If a wife asks "Do these pants make my butt look big?"
If you believe that they do, is it wrong to lie to make her feel happy?

There are many other situations where I believe that lying is necessary. And NOT wrong.
With morality being more based on empathy and compassion, I find I can judge these situations better and not feel I am doing something wrong in the process.

How do you christians feel when you come across similar situations?
Do you believe that lying is a sin no matter what?

Paul K - Excellent add.

It is questions like this that add to the belief that there is no god. Because I don't believe lying in that situation would be wrong. Morality is not absolute!

Answer 1

If you are lying to prevent committing another sin, then no - if the SS came to your house in Germany during WWII for example and asked, "Are there any Jews here?" and you were hiding some and you said, "NO!" you would be lying to save their lives - then lying would be a good thing!

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Christians: Is lying a SIN no matter the situation?
One of the things I find much easier to grasp with regards to morality after becoming atheist is the concept of lying.

As a christian it seemed that the Bible says 'lying is a sin' no matter what. Even if your intentions are good it is still wrong.

For example: If a wife asks "Do...

Answer 3

Is Lying A Sin

Answer 4

Yes, lying is a sin...no matter what.

There is a Holocaust story written by Corrie ten Boom. She and her family were Christians and hid Jews during WWII.

In it, there was a incident where the Nazis came to their home because of a tip that they were hiding Jews. One of the soldiers asked Betsy ten Boom "Where are the Jews you are hiding?" Because she would not lie, she told the truth. "There is a trap door under the kitchen table." The soldier didn't believe her and they left...not finding any Jews.

Now I know that sounds crazy. But the point this true story makes is that all things are in the hands of God. We are not to commit sin in order to do a greater good. We are to trust him completely. We cannot know that if we lie that it is going to turn out for the better. Had Betsy lied about the location of the Jews (a lie is obviously what the solider expected) it may have prompted them to look under the table.

Another good example is the extremist who call themselves pro-life. Their thinking is that if they kill one abortion doctor they've save hundreds of lives. So, they justify the murder of one person by saying the overall good of saving many lives is more important.

Obviously, that just doesn't work.

Answer 5

The answer is simple...YES! This also goes for all of morality. God's glory and justice mandate that we be perfect. Unfortunately, we live in a world that is full of sin and there is no way possible that we can even come close to being perfect or even good. This is why I am a Christian. I know for a fact I will never accomplish moral supremacy or even come close. Even IF my actions were to seem that way all of the time, in my mind and my heart I would still be a sinner. This is why God sent His son, Jesus Christ, to die for my sins. He knows there is no way I could ever get to heaven on my own or without Christ! I do know that I with Christ as my personal Savior I CAN & DO find salvation.
You've got it right, there is no way with the standard you find with us, to do it right.
As far as your question between a husband and wife, I would much rather inform my wife that the pants may not be as flattering as she would like. Better for her not to be embarrassed than for you to deal with the aftermath when you get home.
Overall I try to do my best but know I'm going to fail on a constant basis. Even in those tight situation that you mention...but I will not always do what's right.

Answer 6

Lying to cause desceit is a sin. Lying to someone to trick and put them down is a sin towards common man. If your wife's butt is huge, them she should go to a gym and work out. Then she will live longer, happier, and enjoy life more freely, and not have to worry about if strangers think her butt is big while out with her husband. Lying is a sin, if not corrected. Cheating on your wife and lying sinful. Lying about your work sinful. Give me one situation about lying and I will give you the correct answer. Lying is the little mans way of getting out of a situation.

Answer 7

There is a thing called priority.

There were those in the Bible who lied, but were not held guilty. For example - Rahab, among others. If she did not lie, then people would be killed.

There is also a way to avoid lying when presented with the big butt situation. It takes a smart and witty person to tell the truth in a tactful way. Besides, if she asks, she wants to know the truth. Maybe she doesn't want people to point and stare. If you say "no," then you are being dishonest, and her feelings are going to get even more hurt if she hears others talking, or worse yet sees others looking and laughing.

Answer 8

For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/Fvy8t

This is called cognitive dissonance. It's the very reason why all religions are flawed. There is simply no one-size-fits-all set of rules that can be written down and expected to apply to every situation in every life. It can't work. Ideology is bad. It's wrong, no matter whose ideology it is. Think for yourself. Don't let some book, or some invisible man do it for you.

Answer 9

You cannot be a physicist and tell lies, nor a mathematician, nor a biologist, nor any scientist. People who lie always presuppose that others do not lie. Indeed, lying depends crucially on others telling the truth for its effect. So, in effect, liars want to be treated differently in respect of morality than others; i.e., notions of fundamental equality vanish.

The other knotty problems comes when trying to determine when it is not appropriate for others to lie to *us.* No one I know wants a lying bank. But if lying is OK, what is the problem? It will make you feel bad? So, is feeling "bad" the guide, avoid that and lying is OK? So, you have a terminal illness, your doctor should not tell you because you will feel bad?

HTH

Charles

Answer 10

Some Christians might say yes, but this has more to do with Kant's deontological philosophy on ethical theory. Mostly Protestants have been affected by this view.

The classical example is the Nazi looking for Jews, which you have hidden in your closet. Do you admit that you have them in your house? Kant (and Christians unknowingly influenced by him) would say yes.

I think the clear answer is no. You lie. There are also examples in the Bible where God endorsed a person who lied.

Answer 11

Yes lying is a sin no matter what. As for your scenario, there are ways of telling the truth without hurting feelings. Why would you lie to your wife and tell her they look great when you know they dont? Would you rather she suffered embarrassment?