The following "Question" was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, and "Answered" by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed by Anjela Paje of Spokane, WA, from the tape, GC 1301-T, titled "Bible Questions and Answers Part 22."  A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE.  ©1982. All Rights Reserved.

Question

I would like to know when it is okay for a Christian to tell a lie. For example, like Corrie Ten Boom, an underground church, underground police officer. Just when is it okay?

Answer

Well, let me give you a very straightforward answer. Never! It is never okay to tell a lie. There may be some circumstances, and I don't know what circumstances they might be, but there may be some circumstances where you do not necessarily have to say everything that could be said.

Question continues

That is loopholes.

Answer

By whose definition?

Question continues

My kids do it all the time.

Answer

For example, if I walk up to a person and I am introduced, and they have a funny nose. I don't have to say, “Oh! You have a funny nose!” You say, "well, that is the truth." Well, but you do not have to say everything. And, I think, there may be times where, for the protection of others, for the care of others, we don't have to say everything, but, I personally, believe that God tells us to speak the truth. And, I would rather speak the truth and leave the consequences in His care. And, the classic illustration I would use is David. David wanted to get out. He was in the enemy's palace, the Philistines, and he wanted to get out of there. And, so, he decided, in order to get out of there, he would have to act like he was nuts, insane, remember that? So, he started to spit and slobber all over his beard, and do strange, I don't know what all he did, but he scratched on the walls, and he drooled on his beard, and they said, "Man! We have enough nuts in the palace without one from down there! Get rid of the guy!" And, so, he lied about his sanity and they threw him out, and he went into a cave and he wrote a Psalm. And, the Psalm was all about what a fool he was because he didn't trust God. So, I think, we have to trust God.

Question continues

What about an underground officer?

Answer

Now, again, you are coming back to whether he has to say everything. You know, that's a question that he would have to answer in his own mind, whether or not he can play a role, whether or not he can be a decoy. That has ramifications, and I think, it is up to the individual conscience. Bob Vernon and I have talked a lot about that, and that becomes a matter of the individual conscience as to how much of a role you can play in a certain situation.

Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur's Questions and Answers" by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
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