LYING IN THE BIBLE

I. Does God approve of lying, sometimes?

A. Abraham - "She is my sister."

B. Midwives - "We are always too late."

C. Rahab - about the spies

II. Three responses:

A. One assumes that God approved such because there is no mention of punishment for them.

1. What about Rahab the harlot?

2. What about Noah getting drunk?

B. God blesses each of us.

1. NOT because we are righteous.

2. BUT in spite of our sinful nature.

3. God blesses us, anyway!

4. God blessed Israel.

5. God blessed Solomon.

6. God loves us:

1. NOT - because of:

2. NOT - in order to get:

3. BUT - in spite of:

C. Just remember this:

1. "You are no bargain to live with, either."

2. I have a flaw or two of my own!

III. Ways to Lie

A. Silence - Esther (Esther 4:14)

B. Not tell WHOLE truth - (Gen. 12:10-20; 20:2)

C. Implication - "A cat did not fall in mine."

D. Give assumptions as facts - (Gen. 37:31-35)

IV. Why do people lie?

A. To build their own image

1. On a resume, accomplishments

2. To be a hero

B. Cover up embarrassing things

C. To hide our guilt