Should we Lie? 1 Samuel 21:1-15

David lies to get supplies Flees from Naoith and goes to Nob Meets with Ahimelech and lies Is given the “holy bread” for food Ahimelech apparently decided that his spiritual obligation to help David’s superseded the ceremonial regulation Verses 1-9 Has met with Jonathan and has ascertained that Saul still wants to kill him Ahimelech is the great grandson of Eli. Bread was only for priests.

David lies to get supplies Jesus uses this as a precedent Mark 2:25-28 And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God, in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?” And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.” David lies again! Verse 7 = ominous foreshadowing

David lies to save his life Goes to Gath to see a Philistine king, but is recognized Trying to hide? David pretends to be mad Achish sends him away

What does the Bible say about deception? God hates lying Proverbs 6:16-19 “There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.”

What does the Bible say about deception? Lying is forbidden Leviticus 19:11 “You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another.” Colossians 3:9 “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices.”

What does the Bible say about deception? Satan is the father of lies John 8:44 You are of your father the devil…he is a liar and the father of lies.” God is the God of truth Titus 1:2 “in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began”

What does the Bible say about deception? Christians should hate lying Psalm 119:163 “I hate and abhor lying” Pro 13:5 “A righteous man hates lying.” Christians should speak the truth Ephesians 4:25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.”

What does the Bible say about deception? Lying will be punished Psalm 5:6 “You destroy those who speak lies; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.” Proverbs 19:5 “A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape.”

What does the Bible say about deception? Can there be exceptions to lying? Rahab lies to save the spies Rahab is one of the heroes of the faith Rahab is an ancestor of David and Jesus “Because of” or “in spite of”? David’s lies are recorded -- not praised Ahimelech’s response may help us Joshua 2:1-21 Hebrews 11:31 Matthew 1:5

What does the Bible say about deception? He made a choice between two truths He apparently decided that his spiritual obligation to help David superseded the ceremonial regulation And Jesus supports the same idea Mt 12:7 “If you had knows what this means, I desire mercy and not sacrifice” Matthew 12:1-13

What does the Bible say about deception? There may be a time to choose a higher good Which is one reason the disciples were comfortable preaching when they were told not to Acts 5:41 “We ought to obey God rather than man”

So, what about lying? Lying is at least almost always wrong It may be okay to lie to literally save someone’s life Could it be okay to lie because you are trying to do something for God? Can the ends ever justify the means?

So, what about lying? Romans 3:8 “And why not do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.”