Doesn’t Rahab’s example prove that lying is acceptable in some situations?
Question:
Doesn't Rahab's example prove that lying is acceptable in some situations?
Answer:
We know:
- That we cannot do evil that good may come from it (Romans 3:8). The Lord did not commend Rahab for lying (Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25). We are told not to lie (Colossians 3:9).
- That all liars will be eternally condemned (Revelation 21:8).
Conclusion: That seems to be pretty clear to me. I always have wondered why some of our “brethren” seem to justify lying using Rahab or Abraham cases as examples. It would seem to me that the people of the truth would understand the need to speak the truth.
Dean Blackwell
Additional Answer:
I find it interesting that both Hebrews 11:31 and James 2:25 mention that Rahab was a harlot, but neither mentions that she lied. It would be more "reasonable" to claim that harlotry is acceptable in some situations than to claim that these verses prove that lying is acceptable in some situations. The truth is that Rahab is praised for her faith -- a faith in God you would not expect from a Canaanite harlot.
