Is sin always bad?

[CanadianSlash]

Well...for example, take lying. There are varying degrees of what you can lie about. Like if someone asks if this drawing they've been working very hard on is good, or if someone asks if this dress makes them look fat.

Or when a child asks something similar.

And then there's other ones, like...during the holocaust when people are harboring jews to hide them from the nazis. If the nazis come and think you're hiding jews, is it wrong to lie to them and tell them you aren't? It saves lives. Do two wrongs make a right in that case?

[stoomart]

Dear brother,

Is sin always bad? - Yes

First, a quick review of what sin really is: Sin is what separates us from God and makes us justly worthy of eternity in hell. God is a holy and just God and can by no means have anyone or anything less than perfect in His presence. Hence why we must repent and accept the atoning sacrifice of Christ Jesus to become holy and stand in our heavenly Father's presence.

Regarding your first few examples, lying to any degree is unnecessary. If you can't offer a truthful and gracious response without lying, you should adjust your perspective. For example, view the drawing in the light of their skill set. If the artist is a child or novice, it may be very good for them. If they are a professional, they would want nothing less than the most critical honesty. As for the dress, give feedback based on who they are, not who you or they think they should be. I think you get the point. Keep in mind, we should be like Jesus in everything, who was full of both truth and grace.

As for the holocaust example, Jesus was looked at as sinning by healing people on the sabbath but in reality He was doing good. There are many cases all throughout the bible of civil disobedience, which is OK if you would be sinning by being obedient to men. Peter says in Acts 5:29 that we should obey God rather than men. As with most things, there are extremes here that are sinful, for example:

Lying to the police about the existence of your friends meth lab - Sinful
Saving your neighbour's life by deceiving murderous men - Good
Murdering abortion doctors to save unborn babies - Sinful

James 4:17 - Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.


In Christ's love, stoo

[Buck shot]

Yes, it is the letter of the law that we get trapped with.

Jesus said to Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind. Then He commanded us to love our neighbors as ourselves.

If we can answer any questions with the goal to love God and our neighbors then we are not sinning in my opinion. ;)

[Reynolds357]

Well...for example, take lying. There are varying degrees of what you can lie about. Like if someone asks if this drawing they've been working very hard on is good, or if someone asks if this dress makes them look fat.

Or when a child asks something similar.

And then there's other ones, like...during the holocaust when people are harboring jews to hide them from the nazis. If the nazis come and think you're hiding jews, is it wrong to lie to them and tell them you aren't? It saves lives. Do two wrongs make a right in that case?

Is sin always bad? YES!!! Is lying always sin? That is an entirely different question. Is deception a lie? Sometimes. Gideon carried out highly deceptive battle plans that were directly given Him by God. God does not lie, nor does he command His Children to lie. Thus, the deceptive battle plans must not have been a "lie." They most definitely were not sin. Paul hid with the aid of a "deceptive" woman in Damascus then "deceptively" escaped down the wall in a basket.

[calidog]

Well...for example, take lying. There are varying degrees of what you can lie about. Like if someone asks if this drawing they've been working very hard on is good, or if someone asks if this dress makes them look fat.

Or when a child asks something similar.

And then there's other ones, like...during the holocaust when people are harboring jews to hide them from the nazis. If the nazis come and think you're hiding jews, is it wrong to lie to them and tell them you aren't? It saves lives. Do two wrongs make a right in that case?No. It is'nt what proceeds from our mouth but the intention of our heart.

[CanadianSlash]

But any lie is deception. So...what do you mean what comes from our heart?

[calidog]

But any lie is deception. So...what do you mean what comes from our heart?The OP gave some excelent examples. Here's a classic:



Jos 2:3 And the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men who have come to you, who entered your house, for they have come to search out the land.
Jos 2:4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. So she said, Yes, two men came to me, but I did not know from where they had come.
Jos 2:5 And at gate closing time, after dark, the men went out. Where they went I do not know. Pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them.
Jos 2:6 But she had brought them up to the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax which she had laid in order there.
Jos 2:7 So the men pursued them to the Jordan as far as the fords. As soon as the pursuers had gone, the city's gate was shut.

Jas 2:25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?




And

Luk 24:17 And He said to them, "What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?"
Luk 24:18 Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, "Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?"
Luk 24:19 And He said to them, "What things?" So they said to Him, "The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,


God is looking at the intent of our heart


Gen 6:5 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
1Ch 28:9 "As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.

1Ch 29:18 O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep this forever in the intent of the thoughts of the heart of Your people, and fix their heart toward You.

[ServantofTruth]

I agree with what people have said so far. Shall we look at some scriptures?

Luke 20:20-26 I can't quote the whole text, but perhaps you could look it up? Basically Jesus' enemies sent spies to catch Jesus saying something wrong.

But as we see - Jesus' enemies could not catch Jesus saying anything wrong. They were amazed at his answers and kept quiet.

May we look at John 14:16-17 Then i will ask the Father to send you the Holy Spirit who will help you and always be with you. The Spirit will show you what is true........

There are many scriptures concerning speech. The more you look at, the more God will show you his Will in this matter. I hope we can look at many of these verses here on this topic. But remember you have the Holy Spirit to guide both your bible reading and life as much as any of us - so your thoughts on any scriptures will be as important as ours. Peace, SofTy.

[livingwaters]

Psalm 52:3 (http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Psalm+52:3&version=9)
Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.
Psalm 59:12 (http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Psalm+59:12&version=9)
For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak.
Psalm 109:2 (http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Psalm+109:2&version=9)
For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue.
Psalm 119:29 (http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Psalm+119:29&version=9)
Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.
Psalm 119:163 (http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Psalm+119:163&version=9)
I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.
Psalm 120:2 (http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Psalm+120:2&version=9)
Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.

Deuteronomy 10:13:To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?
Proverbs 25:18 (http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Proverbs+25:18&version=9)
A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.



Matthew 19:18 (http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Matthew+19:18&version=9) He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
Mark 10:19 (http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Mark+10:19&version=9) Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
Luke 18:20 (http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Luke+18:20&version=9)
Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.
Romans 13:9 (http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Romans+13:9&version=9) For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

It seems to me, anyways, that lying is definately a sin.;)

God Bless:)

[longtooth]

Sin is always bad. There is no place in the Word where God makes any allowance for sin in our lives. The questions you ask are good ones & I will address them w/ some Godly answers in the order you asked.

Remember what Paul wrote about responding to others in conversation or instruction. Col.4:6 Let your speech be always w/ grace seasoned w/ salt that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
Grace from God is unmerited favor. One character trait of grace from men is kindness in every answer & in all instruction.
There is an attitude behind every answer & the Child of God needs to present to others an attitude of kindness in instruction.

1. Is this drawing good?
It is no cop out to know that "good" is relative. In your Q here you stated the asker has worked very hard on it. Therefore it is good because it has challenged them & any challenge met w/ effort will bear the fruit of improvement & maturity. It is good to tell the asker, sure it is good & find some things in the drawing that are note worthy. Then encouragement to work on the areas that may need some attention.

2. Does this dress make me look fat? This one is easy.
I have personally never known anyone to ask that Q that was any more than what I would call a little pudgy. Those who are really fat, obese, dont ask.
Attitude of the answer always comes out. If you are not the fashion expert (I fit here) It is OK to answer that it is a little tight but that is because it is too small. If the asker persists then the issue is not fashion but poor self concept & not the dress. Quit worrying about that. Clothes dont make the man or woman, character does. If you are the fashion expert then a simple "this one here will look better" is appropriate. If there is persistance then deal w/ the issue. Self concept & not the clothes.

3. Is it wrong to lie to the Gastapo when hidding Jews?
This is not a lie under the real defination of a lie. This is defense of a third party as sure as if the Jews were defended w/ weapons of war. Self defense & defense of others is a very real tenant of Scripture even at the expense of life or limb of those who are the unrighteous agressor.

I know God has given me a ministry of encouragement & I am thankful for that. It is not hard to give a truthful answer to some of the poor self concept questions that get asked. Others such as #3 only need a proper understanding of what is really taking place.

[livingwaters]

:hug:You know, if Christians did think it was alright to tell a "good lie," then all of those who suffered martrydom, would have died for nothing....They would have said, "ok, I don't believe in Jesus." Then the next day, went on about their business, believing in Jesus?! Buuuuut, they DIDN"T!!!Amen

So, I just really don't think we should lie, according to the Word. That's what I'm saying.

God Bless:hug:

[cowboy_tech]

Luk 24:17 And He said to them, "What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?"
Luk 24:18 Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, "Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?"
Luk 24:19 And He said to them, "What things?" So they said to Him, "The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,



I don't see a lie here, I see questions. BE CAREFUL! The LORD does not lie.

[calidog]

I don't see a lie here, I see questions. BE CAREFUL! The LORD does not lie.that was in response to deception. Read first before you accuse! Now you be careful, You don't see a lie there because there was'nt a lie and no-one said there was except for you!

[cowboy_tech]

that was in response to deception. Read first before you accuse! Now you be careful, You don't see a lie there because there was'nt a lie and no-one said there was except for you!

That should not have been used as an example for the conversation. The LORD was trying to get them to think and remember the things that happend to be able to recognize Him.

I say again. BE CAREFULL, please. I read that several times, and it looks like you grouped it in with it. You say that is not what you meant, and I trust that you didn't. But others reading might not understand and think it to be deceptive. That passage has nothing to do with the topic at hand, any of it.

Maybe I should have said more the first time so you might not get so upset, and for that I am sorry.

[dljc]

Well...for example, take lying. There are varying degrees of what you can lie about. Like if someone asks if this drawing they've been working very hard on is good, or if someone asks if this dress makes them look fat.

Or when a child asks something similar.

And then there's other ones, like...during the holocaust when people are harboring jews to hide them from the nazis. If the nazis come and think you're hiding jews, is it wrong to lie to them and tell them you aren't? It saves lives. Do two wrongs make a right in that case?This might help answer your question.

Despite inflation, the wages of sin have not changed. ;)

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

[TravisJ]

Sin has always been bad... If you lie that is a sin, I rather die being a Christian, than being afraid of dying because i'm a Christian

Sin has no measurement, Sin is Sin... If you lie, or you murder. In God's eyes sin is sin... It will keep you out of the Kingdom of Heaven, even a little white lie...

If you know good and doeth evil.. to him it is sin.... If you know the truth and you lied that is a sin... Ok take this scenario... You have a friend that is being chased by some bad guys.. and he took off running.. and he left you behind ( what a friend i know) and the guys catch you... and your standing there.... they point a gun at you... and say.. Tell me where he is or i'll shoot you... Will you lie to him... or tell him where he went... you don't have to neither of those... Just tell him i will not tell you...

Whats worse than dying? I'll tell you... Hell

Hell is eternal torment, with no break, and the worst thing you taking away from God forever..

why choose to lie then to die?

[dispen4ever]

Is sin always bad?

Yes.

1 John 1:9.