Is It Ok To Tell A Little White Lie Even If..

[Work in Progress]

The only situation I can think of that is similar to what you're speaking of, is when someone gives you a birthday or Christmas gift and it's not really something you like at all or would use. In that case, for example, if the gift was a picture to hang on the wall, that the friend bought as a gift for you, the thing to say is, "that's a nice picture." I don't think that's a white lie. It would be a lie if you told them you liked it, when you really didn't.

If you don't like it, then you don't think it's a nice picture. Lying is also done by omission. Either you're happy with the gift, or you're not. Anything other than "Thank you" and a smile is lying. Don't get me wrong - I don't have a problem at all with saying "thank you, it's great" or "thank you, I love it!". Again, God isn't going to punish you because you had some manners and made a friend feel good. That isn't the kind of lying He admonishes in Scricpture. JMO again.

[Orr v'emet]

We shouldn't tell any kind of lie. If someone gives you a gift you don't like, say it was thoughtful or interesting or whatever. You don't have to say that you didn't like it and hate it. My grandmother recently showed Debbie and I a quilt that we found to be well, not of our taste. We told her something like it must have taken someone a long time to make it or something??? We didn't lie and we spared her feelings. I think if the Bible thought it was okay to tell little white lies it would say so.

[Guest Called]

Let's see what the Bible says about lying.

Proverbs 12:22

The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful.

Proverbs 12:19

Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

Proverbs 26:28

A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.

Ephesians 4:25

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

There are many, many more verses and examples about lying. It is obvious that any lie is a sin. I also believe misleading someone is wrong. We should be honest at all times.

We can be honest, yet kind at the same time, just because we tell the truth doesn't mean we have to be rude or hurt someone's feelings. Just like the example my sister gave about the quilt my grandmother showed us. I could have said I thought it was the ugliest thing I had ever seen (which it was ), but instead I chose to look at the positive side and I told her that it was really nice for my cousin to make it for her.

[Guest shadow2b]

-But does this include telling a small lie to save someone from being hurt?

-WeLLLLLLLLLLL, NOWE----IF YA kinn SPLAIN TO MOI---What part of {A--little-ole-white LIE-}

----- IS NOT A LIE-- -

------------I MITE-BE FER IT----OTHERWISE--------

-mawwy had a widdle wam its fweese was white as snow--& evewe wheeah mawwy went da widdle wamm was swho ta goeee

- I---Weckonn- :hug: I jes wove faiwy tels- :hug: :hug:

[Kabowd]

What about the people who harbored Jews in their homes to protect them from the Nazis?

What about those who deceive a country in order to enter it to present the gospel?

This may throw a wrench in this topic, but some friends and I recently discussed this so I have some things I wanted to add. I will not deny that the Bible states that lying is a sin....HOWEVER, also according to Scripture there appears to be instances when it is excusable.

Here's how Webster defines a "lie":

1 a : an assertion of something known or believed by the speaker to be untrue with intent to deceive b : an untrue or inaccurate statement that may or may not be believed true by the speaker

2 : something that misleads or deceives

So is withholding the whole truth a lie? According to Webster it is. In fact, according to him, anything that is done to mislead or deceive constitutes a lie. This becomes very complicated biblically because there are several instances in Scripture where ppl were not punished for their lying (or deceiving), and in fact prospered. Here's just a few:

* Rahab hides the Spies and lies to the king's men (Joshua 2:1-24)

* Hebrew midwives lied to Pharoah in order to protect baby boys (Exodus 1:15-21)

* David pretended to be insane (I Samuel 21:2, 13)

* David lied about who he had been fighting (I Samuel 27:10)

* Michal lied to protect David (I Samuel 19:13-27)

* Jonathan lied to protect David (I Samuel 20:5-8, 27-29)

* God Himself gives Samuel permission to deceive Saul:

The LORD said to Samuel,

[Orr v'emet]

Thanks alot for the wrench Tess!

Hadn't considered it.

[Marilyn777]

Would you tell a little white lie to spare a friend/family member some embarrassment?

Of course. Sometimes Christians get hung up on these silly and petty little things. Do you really think, when God wrote about lying, that He meant this? Let's use some common sense. God was dealing with evil - is it really evil to spare a friends feelings? How about turning that logic around and using a Scripture verse that says to exhort and be loving and supportive?

God isn't sitting on His throne, waiting to throw a punch at you because you told someone that yes, they look slimmer. Or that you are busy at a certain time, to avoid being taken advantage of and avoid a big fight. Too many people get hung up on this little legalistic stuff. JMO.

Thank You WIP thats what I'm getting at! I would rather tell someone they look good today, or you enjoyed their brownies even if its not true to prevent hurt feelings or cause an argument.

The Commandment that I quoted I don't think applies to small stuff that we encounter on a daily bases. Can any of you here actually say you have NEVER told a small lie to spare someones feelings, if you can say yes --- honestly, then I tip my hat to you. Its only human nature to protect someone you love and care about.

And as for politicians I don't care what country you represent, or what government; they all lie, they all make promises they can't possibly keep. How do you think they get put into office in the first place by telling you what you want to hear! They always have some excuse after they are elected why they can't follow through, by then its too late! Before you vote you just have to make a decision on voting for the person who's lies you can deal with them breaking the most.

I'm not saying it makes it right I'm just saying its human nature but like Work says I hardly think God in Heaven is ready to take you out, because you told someone they look really good in that dress when to yourself, your saying 'not in a million years' girlfriend! Most of the time we spare someones feelings we are not even aware of it we just say yes you look great. Its an unconscious reaction. But if you say that you always tell the truth no matter what then you are a much better Christian then I will ever be!

Marilyn

[Marilyn777]

What about the people who harbored Jews in their homes to protect them from the Nazis?

What about those who deceive a country in order to enter it to present the gospel?

This may throw a wrench in this topic, but some friends and I recently discussed this so I have some things I wanted to add. I will not deny that the Bible states that lying is a sin....HOWEVER, also according to Scripture there appears to be instances when it is excusable.

Here's how Webster defines a "lie":

1 a : an assertion of something known or believed by the speaker to be untrue with intent to deceive b : an untrue or inaccurate statement that may or may not be believed true by the speaker

2 : something that misleads or deceives

So is withholding the whole truth a lie? According to Webster it is. In fact, according to him, anything that is done to mislead or deceive constitutes a lie. This becomes very complicated biblically because there are several instances in Scripture where ppl were not punished for their lying (or deceiving), and in fact prospered. Here's just a few:

* Rahab hides the Spies and lies to the king's men (Joshua 2:1-24)

* Hebrew midwives lied to Pharoah in order to protect baby boys (Exodus 1:15-21)

* David pretended to be insane (I Samuel 21:2, 13)

* David lied about who he had been fighting (I Samuel 27:10)

* Michal lied to protect David (I Samuel 19:13-27)

* Jonathan lied to protect David (I Samuel 20:5-8, 27-29)

* God Himself gives Samuel permission to deceive Saul:

The LORD said to Samuel,

[Guest kitkat]

The only situation I can think of that is similar to what you're speaking of, is when someone gives you a birthday or Christmas gift and it's not really something you like at all or would use. In that case, for example, if the gift was a picture to hang on the wall, that the friend bought as a gift for you, the thing to say is, "that's a nice picture." I don't think that's a white lie. It would be a lie if you told them you liked it, when you really didn't.

If you don't like it, then you don't think it's a nice picture. Lying is also done by omission. Either you're happy with the gift, or you're not. Anything other than "Thank you" and a smile is lying. Don't get me wrong - I don't have a problem at all with saying "thank you, it's great" or "thank you, I love it!". Again, God isn't going to punish you because you had some manners and made a friend feel good. That isn't the kind of lying He admonishes in Scricpture. JMO again.

But what if it IS a nice picture? Just because you don't like it, doesn't mean it's not a nice picture. :oww: If what you're saying is true, the thing to do is to tell the party that gave you the gift, thankyou but I really don't like it and it doesn't work for me. By what you're saying, telling the party thankyou "it's great" or "i love it" is a lie too then. No mincing words here then at all. Sparing the feelings at all, spoils the friend. LOL

[Ovedya]

A lie is a lie, is a lie, is a lie.