Perhaps it is an overly simple point of view, but I always thought the story of Rahab answered this question fairly conclusively, namely that from God's point of view, lying or deception in order to preserve life is not a sin.

The simple fact, it seems to me, is that Rahab lied to the men of the city and God commended her by putting her into the hall of faith in Hebrews 11 for it.

I believe many commentators think Rahab sinned in lying, but in James 2 God commends her (again) and this time it is in the context of the discussion that faith without works is dead, or that belief without works is dead (v19-20). Hence she is specifically being commended for her works, or what she did.

If we look else where in the bible we can find other examples of this principle. In Exodus 1:19 the hebrew midwives lied to Pharoah to save the children of the Israelites, and the bible describes them as 'fearing God' (v17, 21) and God himself commends and rewards them by building them houses.

There are more examples I cannot remember off hand right now.

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Mark Li
International University Church
New South Wales, Australia