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Originally Posted by puritan lad  Interesting Question. Rahab gives us a similar example. Ray Sutton holds that she lied and God blessed her for it. My pastor would disagree.
Answer: I would probably lie to the Nazis. Is that a sin? I don't know. |
In the past I believed we could follow the Rahab example and lie, but when you look at the references to her in James and Hebrews it doesn't seem so:
"By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace." Hebrews 11:21
"Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?" James 2:25
In both verses it praises her hiding the spies, but not lying about them. In the case of Nazis and Jews, hiding the Jews definitely would be the right thing, but lying would be sinful. Several points:
1. If our faith were truly that strong, we would not lie about hiding them and trust that's God will be done, as odious as the outcome may seem to us.
2. If we truly have faith that God is in control of all things, we would uphold the truth at all times.
3. Furthermore, if the Holy Spirit is working in us, He would not lead us to lie (John 16:13).
4. And finally, telling the truth is not the same as actively killing the Jews - I have a hard time seeing that is a sin.
Having said all that, in the heat of the moment I would probably lie, which would indicate how weak my faith can be at times...