Deceit and Righteousness? Lies in the Bible and the Ninth Commandment Reconsidered
When we think of sin, lying ranks near the top of the list. And rightly so—truthfulness is a divine attribute. Yet, when we turn to Scripture, we find stories where deceit is not condemned, and in some cases, even honored. How can this be? The answer lies not in the blanket approval of lies, but in a deeper understanding of context, purpose, and the actual wording of the Ninth Commandment.
1. Shiphrah and Puah: Deceit to Protect Life
In Exodus 1, the Hebrew midwives Shiphrah and Puah were ordered by Pharaoh to kill all Hebrew baby boys. Instead, they spared them and told Pharaoh, “The Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them” (Exodus 1:19).
This was clearly a lie—but God rewarded them: “Therefore God dealt well with the midwives” (v. 20). Their deceit served a higher moral purpose: to preserve innocent life. They feared God more than man, and in doing so, acted in righteousness.
2. Rahab: A Lie of Faith
In Joshua 2, Rahab the harlot hid the Hebrew spies in Jericho. When soldiers came to find them, she said, “There came men unto me… but I wist not whence they were”—another deliberate lie.
Yet, the New Testament praises her:
“By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not” (Hebrews 11:31). Her lie protected God’s people and was considered an act of faith, not failure.
3. The Prophet in Disguise: A Divine Ruse
In 1 Kings 20:35–43, a prophet of the Lord disguised himself as a wounded soldier to confront King Ahab. His entire act was deceptive, yet it was sanctioned by God to deliver a moral rebuke. The deception served a prophetic mission, exposing Ahab’s failure to obey God.
Similarly, in 2 Samuel 12, the prophet Nathan told King David a parable—a fictional story—to confront David about his sin with Bathsheba. The story was not factually true, but it served divine truth.
4. Other Examples of Tactical Deception
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David feigned madness before Achish, king of Gath, to save his life (1 Samuel 21:13).
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Jesus Himself told parables that concealed truth from those not ready to receive it (Matthew 13:10–17).
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Elisha misled the Syrians in 2 Kings 6:19, saying, “This is not the way, neither is this the city,” yet it led to their miraculous deliverance, not harm.
None of these acts are condemned as sinful in Scripture. Instead, they are viewed as part of a higher obedience to God’s will.
5. Reexamining the Ninth Commandment
Much of our modern discomfort with biblical deceit stems from a misunderstanding of the Ninth Commandment, which reads:
“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.” – Exodus 20:16
This command is specifically about false testimony—a legal term. It prohibits slander, perjury, and malicious dishonesty that harms another. Over time, it has been generalized to “Thou shalt not lie,” which, though a good moral aim, misses the original context. Not all forms of untruth are equal in Scripture.
6. The Reality for Modern-Day Missionaries
Today, some missionaries must use discretion or even strategic deceit to bring the gospel into closed countries. They may hide Bibles, disguise their intentions, or enter under non-religious pretenses. Are these lies sinful?
Most Christian ethicists argue that in these rare cases, they follow the example of Rahab—valuing the preservation of souls and the advancement of God’s kingdom in hostile environments. These are not selfish or harmful lies, but protective actions rooted in love and truth.
7. The Spirit of the Law
The Bible does not celebrate deceit, but it shows that God values motive and context. Lies that protect life, further God’s will, or shield the innocent are viewed differently than lies that exploit, slander, or destroy.
Truth matters deeply to God. But Scripture reminds us that sometimes, the higher truth is justice, mercy, and faith (Matthew 23:23). When Shiphrah, Puah, Rahab, and others acted deceptively, they weren’t violating the heart of God's law—they were upholding it.
Conclusion: Discerning the Truth
Christians are called to be people of truth. But truth is more than facts—it is rooted in love, righteousness, and the character of God. As we navigate a complex world, especially in the last days where deception abounds and persecution rises, we must seek discernment, not just moral rigidity.
May we be faithful like the midwives, wise like Rahab, and always motivated by a desire to glorify God—even when the path of truth is not simple.
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