Posted by J [J] on November 05, 1999 at 11:27:13 {6xiCHW3gJ2ehU3MO1aSEeFQE7AtTPE}:
In Reply to: ***What I've learned on H2O. posted by Friend on November 05, 1999 at 11:04:22:
I have to disagree with you. There is little difference between Webster "to lie" and Biblical "to lie"
The difference is as you tried to explain. Rahab's lie was a sin. Her righteous was declared because she was willing to sacrifice her good conscience in order to protect what she believed were God's servants. This did not make the lie acceptable or less wrong. the motive would likely be taken into consideration by Jehovah in granting forgiveness but it is still a sin.
So in your example of the violent rapist, you are really saying that you are willing to sacrifice your clean conscience/standing before God by telling a lie to protect them. You are then relying on God's mercy to examine your motives and forgive you. But if he doesn't, your family is worth that sacrifice?
I would have no problems with the aspect of telling a lie to protect my family from a rapist etc. But I don't try to justify it by saying it is Biblical to do so. I am willing to take whatever penalty comes from telling the lie however.
J