Friday, March 19, 2010

Since when is it ok?

Something has come to my attention that I just can't seem to get around.  Before I share though, I want to make clear that I am not above any sin.  According to the Word, "I myself would be a liar if I claimed to be without sin
 (1 John 1:8)."

As an ambassador of Jesus Christ, I, like Paul "desire that I will keep speaking boldly for Him, as I should (Ephesians 6:20)."  Not for personal glory but that God's truth may be "high and lifted up."  Especially in these last days when many will be led astray by "empty philosophies and high sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ (Colossians 2)."

Therefore, I speak the following with Jesus Christ's' glory in mind.

Here is what I am struggling with and the question I ask,
"Since when is it ok for Christians to lie?"

It has come to my attention that some people will try any means possible to adopt a child, and lying is part of the "any means."

Isn't God BIG ENOUGH that you do not need to turn to lying?  Isn't God's heart for the orphan, and to place the lonely in families?  Then how does lying play into God's plan?

I know some would argue that Rahab lied as did the midwifes in Exodus. However, lying is never encouraged nor justified in Scripture.  Using these woman as examples is like using one scripture to build a case.  We MUST take in the whole counsel of God's word.  Over and over again in scripture lying is condemned.

"These six things the Lord hates, seven are an abomination...a lying tongue."  Proverbs 6

"Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord; but those that tell the truth are His delight."  Proverbs 12:22

"Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed."  Proverbs 12:19

God neither delights in lying nor does He need us to "use any means possible" for Him fulfill His promises and His good and perfect will.

"When the Spirit of Truth comes HE will guide you in ALL truth."  John 16:13

10 comments:

Marsha said...

Amen, Sister! I often find myself seeking out Christian business establishments when I need some service, and I purposely do that because in the back of my mind I assume they will be honest. As your scriptures pointed out, the Bible is perfectly clear that lying is condemned....hello!....the Ten Commandments ring a bell?

There have been occasions where I've been made aware that a fellow Christian is lying, and I'm always so devastated by that! We are called to a higher standard (and yes, we are ALL sinners and I personally blow it everyday in many ways.) But your statements about God being bigger than any reason that could "justify" lying is spot on! LOVE your post!

natali said...

Amen!! Our GOD is big enough that He can handle all the little things :)) Lying is not putting your trust in Him.

"Are These Kids All Yours?" said...

I guess I am really innocent or in the dark or something??? Lying to get a child???

Mama in Uganda said...

ATKAY,

Yes, people make up all sorts of lies to get kids out of the country--or at least attempt to.

Sophie said...

It is more sad I believe that some feel they need to resort to these measures. I can understand though, although I am not condoning it, out of desperation to have a child how some may distort the truth, satan preys on our weaknesses, and those weaknesses are what we desire the most and have the most difficult time obtaining. I think of how Peter lied about being a follower of Christ ,out of fear, and I wonder if these people are fearful of never having their own child. I'm by no means trying to rationalize this behavior, lieing is just wrong. I have to admit as I'm writing this though, I thought to myself, would I lie if I had to protect one of my children? I can honestly say I don't know, and I'm a Christian. I'm unaware of the circumstances surrounding this situation but I wonder if these people think they are protecting these children by bringing them into a more comfortable environment. Just trying to make sense of it.

Mama in Uganda said...

Sophie,

I appreciate your comment. I would like to be more specific, however, it could become ugly. Therefore, I will say this. People are lying that their children have illnesses so that they can get special medical/humanitarian visas to America. But, like the Word says, "God will expose the lie" and he has/does.

I trust that the Lord will allow what HE sees fit for these children....He does not need our help!

Anonymous said...

Our "Christian" orphanage (NOT in Uganda) lied to us multiple times, and they regularly lie on the children's birth certificates. They make the children younger, so that the children are more "adoptable". Our situation backfired in a BIG way ... and we had to disrupt the adoption of one of our children. We would NOT have adopted this young man if we had known his real age.

Then, I went to Africa with a friend (again, NOT to Uganda), and not only did her orphanage director lie, but she lied. I had the hardest time keeping track of all of the lies. It was horrible. And ... both parties are Believers.

So. So. Sad.

Mama in Uganda said...

Anonymous,

I am so, so sorry. It is so sad, especially for the children involved. One day the Lord will expose all these lies, and He often does in the here and now.

I pray that we as Christians will desire, long and strive to walk in the truth.

Adeye said...

Grieves my heart terribly, friend.

There are no words.

Cathy said...

I agree with your post absolutely. So sad that people would resort to lying to get children.