Lying and the Bible - Part 3/3

Broader definitions of Lying

So far I have dealt with simply speaking what is true. There is a broader issue however. Deception takes many forms.

1. What about half truths?
2. What about withholding information?
3. What about simple tomfoolery, pranks, games, etc?

Firstly not all these things can really be put into one category as "lying". For instance, withholding information is many times healthy and desirable, for instance in issues of confidentiality, whether spiritual or even military. Wisdom and deception are far removed from each other.
Games are another area - both sides are aware of certain parameters within which to function. There are accepted norms. And in fact, Games have very strict rules and penalties for going outside the bounds. When someone tries to manipulate rules, he is labelled a cheat. Why? Not just because of a transgression of law - that's a foul. Cheating is when the intent is malicious.

So morality and spirituality comes in at the point of intent. If in these cases intent is malicious then sin is born. Whether in areas of Withholding information, half truths, or Game parameters.

Again, we cannot justifiably say that lying or deception is ever endorsed Biblically. Some might take a hard line and label as lies even instances where intent is
not malicious. But I think this muddies the water unprofitably.

It is important to remember that we need to be very careful how we deal with issues out of the boundaries of explicit speaking of untruth. Intent is a hard thing to gauge. But it will be the key in unravelling the matter.

For example, a child may withhold information from a parent because of fear of consequences. The intent is sinful.
But a child may also unwittingly withhold information that might have been pertinent to the issue, simply because the child did not know it was important. The intent then was not sinful.
In this case the discernment and spiritual insight of the parent comes into play.

Final Notes
I need to delve a little into some of the more subjective arguments.
A question was raised about hierarchy of God's law. The logic was that some laws take precedence over others, and for instance if I have to lie to protect someone from being murdered, then that would be justified.

A quick note about this: The only related scriptural examples I can find are these: Children are commanded to obey their parents (Eph 6:1) All people are commanded to be subject to all authorities. (Rom 13:1) However, in each of these instances these is a caveat, if you look at the verses. from this we understand that if people in authority contradict God, then we disobey authority. This is not really teaching hierarchy of law. It is an issue of hierarchy in authority. Whenever God's word is compromised, then I obey God rather than man. So I disobey man, but it is not sin, because God specifically has declared himself supreme authority. Obeying him is of first importance.

As far as lying goes, the hierarchy of authority does not apply, because God as supreme authority has commanded us to be truthful, and there is no issue of submission to any other involved.

Edit: It has been a long while, but I thought I'd add this "mindlblowing revelation" to conclude. With regard to all the exceptions to lying that we might think up to oppose what I believe is a Biblical argument, isn't there a place to say "trust God"? However difficult the situation, if He has decreed something and we seek to obey Him, Can we not rest in knowing that He will provide the means to carry out His will? Or the strength to bear the consequences of obedience to Him? These may be painful in the moment, maybe... but eternally joyous. We serve a living, caring Father. Amen?