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The subjects of Lying and God's sovereignty

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zander:
OK so just want to bring to attention another email Ray posted on March 25th here.

2 things he talked about which i am seeking clarification on.  Again, if you know Ray personally, you may know how to answer these questions better.

Lying:

Ray said this in his email:"Lying has its purposes.  It depends on the motive. Rahab lied about the spies
and it was counted to her as righteousness, seeing that she saved lives.  Lying to harm others
without any redeeming value or purpose, is of course a sin and will be judged. The
commandment is not against lying, but rather against "bearing false witness against a neighbor."

This struck me.  Can someone confirm to me then that lying can be ok and is NOT a sin in some cases then?   Any thoughts?

Secondly

Sovereignty

Ray says this: By the way, the word "omnipotent" does not mean "the ability
to do absolutely anything," as you suggest.  It means sovereign or unlimited power or
authority.  I'm not quit sure just how much power and authority it takes to lie, but regardless,
God can't do it.  Of the ten times that "pantokrator" appears in the Greek Scriptures, only
once is it translated "omnipotent."  The other nine times it is translated "almighty."

I am trying to understand this properly. Does this mean God therefore CANNOT do "absolutely anything?"  I understand he cant lie and cant be evil etc.  But to read in a sentence that God cannot do anything puts a new slant on things for me and kind of answers a question ive had for a few years - Is God limited?  If God CANNOT do everything, is he therefore limited in some way?  If he cannot "snap" his fingers for all to "instantly be like him", then i see this as a kind of limit.  Not in a bad way, but a limit.  It also made me think, does even God have total free will?

Anyway any thoughts really, im not expecting solid answers as i know not everyone knows everything.

mharrell08:
You can't be something you're not. God also "can't" be a liar, evil, darkness, etc. because He has stated throughout the scriptues that He is the opposite of those things.

Craig:
As for question #1

--- Quote ---This struck me.  Can someone confirm to me then that lying can be ok and is NOT a sin in some cases then?   Any thoughts?
--- End quote ---

You answered it yourself.


--- Quote ---Rahab lied about the spies and it was counted to her as righteousness, seeing that she saved lives.
--- End quote ---

Craig

arion:
Also for consideration, withholding the truth at times isn't necessarily lying either.  There are times when too much honesty can be detrimental.  Say your spouse cooks something for you and she really worked hard at it and it really tastes terrible, or the standard of 'Honey, does this dress make me look fat?'  There are times where discretion is the better part of valor.  Being less than totally honest at times isn't always a bad thing.

JohnMichael:
The topic of lying and whether or not we should/can has been one that gives me pause as well. I know that Rahab lied, and it was counted as righteousness. However, there's this verse:

Rev 21:8  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars [G5571], shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

G5571
ψευδής
pseudēs
psyoo-dace'
From G5574; untrue, that is, erroneous, deceitful, wicked: - false, liar.

G5574
ψεύδομαι
pseudomai
psyoo'-dom-ahee
Middle voice of an apparently primary verb; to utter an untruth or attempt to deceive by falsehood: - falsely, lie.

My personal take has been to err on the side of caution. Though I can see that it may be the intent behind the lie that is the real issue.

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