Which of these are actual LIES or DECEPTION that violate the 9th commandment and which are White Lies that are allowed by God?
When it really did not: My phone died.
If you really did not: Of course I remember you!
It really does not: Your new haircut looks amazing.
If you just do not have the time: I have read the terms and conditions.
If it really is not: This is the best gift you've ever given me!
You just want a day off: I can not come in to work today, I am sick.
When your son asks if he is real: Of course Santa is real. He is coming tonight!
If it is really not: It was nice to meet you.
It was full price: It was on sale.
You actually never intend to: I will call you later.
It is not what you want to eat: I am allergic to it.
You do not want a speeding ticket: No, officer, I have no idea how fast I was going.
When you are really are not OK: I am fine.
You just do not want to do it: I am busy that day.
When you are serious: I am just kidding!
When you do not want to talk to them on the phone: I am having trouble hearing you.
It's a trick question. ALL of them are lies that are condemned by the 9th commandment as sin according to the Bible! Wait a minute! That can't be right. Most of these are minor social misrepresentations of the truth, meant for really good purposes, to avoid problems, protect self-esteem, and showing kindness to others. That can't actually be sin. Well, let's look at this and see if the Bible really says there are White Lie exceptions allowed by God.
Think for a moment the last time you heard a sermon in your church about speaking falsely and not being truthful all the time? It's probably been awhile because most ministers, priests, and preachers have a hard time teaching what the Bible says about breaking this commandment. They know every member of their congregation commits sin on a daily basis by breaking the 9th commandment for good purposes, to avoid problems, protect others self-esteem, and showing kindness to others. They look at a list of false statements like the one above and realize if they preach against lying they will upset many in their congregation. That affects the tithes and offering these members usually give. Rather than lose cash in the basket on Sunday morning, they either don't preach what the Bible really says about lying or deception at all, or they preach a watered down, easy to hear, generic version that really won't offend anyone. You will never hear them mention any of the lies or deception on the list above!
So, if we can't depend on our churches to teach the truth about what the Bible really says about this subject we need to look at the Bible itself and see what God actually says about all of this, and if there are any reasons when a White Lie really is permitted. Is a White Lie different than a real one. Our eternal life depends on us knowing the truth so we can repent and ask Jesus to forgive us and be with Him in the Kingdom of God for all eternity.
Does the Bible say at what point in history the first lie was spoken? We actually find the first recorded liar all the way back in the Garden of Eden. In Genesis 3 we see that Satan is the father of the all lying .
"Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, Did God actually say, You shall not eat of any tree in the garden? And the woman said to the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, you shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die. But the serpent said to the woman, YOU WILL NOT SURELY DIE." (Genesis 3:1-4)
And there it is! The Bible says this is the first recorded lie in human history. Adam and Eve lost the opportunity for eternal life right from the start and did in fact die as God said. God goes on to show us in verse 13 what the root of every lie actually is, and how we can use this knowledge to understand if the White Lie we told is a real lie according to what the Bible actually says.
"Then the LORD God said to the woman, What is this that you have done? The woman said, The serpent deceived me, and I ate."
DECEPTION is at the root of all false speaking. If your intent is to deceive someone with your words, you are lying! We use our words to deceive people into believing something that isn't true, and the Bible plainly says this is sin!
"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." (Exodus 20:6)
If you ask most Christians if lying is a sin, a violation of the 9th commandment against bearing false witness, the majority will say it is. If you ask if they lie or deceive people on a regular basis most will say no they really don't make a habit of lying. You see, to most Christians lying is really a blatant, intentional false statement based on selfish wrong motives. They are meant to harm or do damage to others, or obtain a selfish goal, or give them an unfair advantage in business and social affairs. Almost no Christian believes Little White Lies are actually violating the 9th commandment.
Is it wrong to say Little White Lies to deceive your children for the sake of their self-esteem, or to make them feel safe, or play into their fantasies?
Is it wrong to use deception socially to smooth things over in relationships, or avoid hurting someone's feelings, or avoid arguments?
Is it wrong if you use misrepresentation of the truth in business to get ahead, or just slightly shade the facts to get a better deal, or deceive your boss to avoid working, or to save time?
Have you ever stopped to consider all the words you say everyday that are not true and you never really give a second thought to things you are actually saying?
"The Lord detests lying lips" (Proverbs 12:22)
"Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies." (Psalm 34:13)
"Do not lie to each other" (Colossians 3:9)
"You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." (John 8:44)
The Bible is very clear about lying and deception, but what about White Lies, those little deception comments that are actually meant for good. Are they OK?
"For, Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech." (I Peter 3:10)
"An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies." (Proverbs 14:5)
"Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit." (I Peter 2:1)
"No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence." (Psalm 101:7)
Well, it looks like anything you say in ANY form of deception is wicked, and considered a "real" lie. Anyone who engages in ANY deception towards children, spouses, family, friends, co-workers, employers, or any other person regardless of reason or intent, even in ethical research is actually lying. They will NOT dwell in the house of the Lord and stand in the presence of Jesus in His Kingdom! There are no Yeah but Biblical exceptions for lying or, telling any Little Fibs, or engaging in any deception towards anyone! (And this includes our children at Christmas time! Ho Ho Ho)
If you are honest with yourself, (and God), 100% of you reading this study have committed several of the sins mentioned in the list at the beginning of this study. You have never actually considered God's thoughts about what you say that really isn't true. Real Christians will read this study and have their eyes opened by it. They will recognize what they have been doing and repent with all their heart. They will make every effort in the future to identify all their hidden lying comments and deception and they will sincerely try to stop lying.
The rest of you will justify yourself, making excuses why it's really OK to lie here or there for some so-called good reason. You will continue lying to your children, your spouse, your friends, and your employer. Your White Lies and deception will continue because YOU don't see anything wrong with you falsely saying anything, but God does! When you actually stand before God on Judgment Day all the false words you justify won't help you one bit and keep you out of the Lake of Fire.
You shall not bear false witness. No White Lies! No exceptions!
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