Is it a SIN to Lie to the Government?

"The men the American people admire most extravagantly are the most daring liars; the men they detest most violently are those who try to tell them the truth."
- H. L. Mencken -

We first need to ask a simpler question.

Does the bible condemn all lying?

The answer to this question is not as obvious as you might think. Most everyone will agree that the core teaching of scripture on this topic comes from the Ninth Commandment.

"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor."
- Exodus 20:16

Notice the word "against?" If you carefully research what scripture says about lying, you will find the morality of lying is inextricably linked with the purpose and intent of the lie.

Do you intend your neighbor harm?
Image courtesy of Breno Machado and http://unsplash.com

Do you intend your neighbor harm?

If you are using your words to intentionally harm your neigbor, then lying - either about them or to them - is wrong. You are initiating harm against your neighbor with your words. This can be seen in the context of many scriptures about lying.

In this clear example from the Psalms, lies are a weapon of destruction, used to attack the innocent:

"More in number than the hairs of my head
    are those who hate me without cause;
mighty are those who would destroy me,
    those who attack me with lies.
What I did not steal
    must I now restore?"
- Psalm 69:4

Several other similar references, Isaiah 32:7, Psalm 109:1-5, Psalm 31:18, Psalm 52:1-4, all connect the act of lying with the intention to initiate harm.

Now consider these "white lies" when Israel was in Egypt.

You can read the entire story here.

The king had ordered the midwives to kill all male Hebrew babies at birth.

Not only did the midwives disobey a direct order of the king, they lied about it. When the king asked them why they weren't killing the babies, they lied and said that the babies had been born before they arrived on the scene.

Were the midwives' lies sinful? As evidenced by the fact that God blessed the midwives and their families, they were not. Pharaoh had to find others to do his dirty work.

Truth and lies figure prominently in the story of Rahab.

You can read the entire story here in the book of Joshua.

Israeli spies were investigating Jericho in preparation for an invasion. They were staying at the home of Rahab, a local prostitute. Word of their presence reached the ears of the king of Jericho.

Rahab hid the spies among food supplies on the roof of her house, which was an integral part of the city wall. When the king's servants came looking, she lied to them, saying that the spies had already left.

Later on, she extracted a sworn promise from the spies to protect her and her family when the invasion came. Their oath was truthful, the promise kept.

That Rahab's lies to the king were not sinful is evidenced by the fact that she is cited as a hero of faith:

"By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies."
- Hebrews 11:31

When a government is evil and destructive,

as virtually all human governments are, not only is it not a sin to lie to government agents, it is an admirable thing. Although it may superficially sound extreme, murder is the logical end of every statist policy. When government seeks to rob or kill you or your loved ones, you are morally justified in resisting.

Though having no shortage of flaws, the founders of America also saw matters this way. Thomas Jefferson's personal seal bore the motto "REBELLION TO TYRANTS IS OBEDIENCE TO GOD."

But I am not your conscience.

I've written this article to help inform your conscience, but don't carelessly ignore it. Be sure that any action you take is based on carefully studied and firm conviction.

"For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin."
- Romans 14:23b

Your family is paramount.
Image courtesy of Kris and http://pixabay.com

Is it right to resist?

You must decide for yourself whether or not it is right. When the government seeks to rob your honestly earned wealth, consider Paul's admonition:

"But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."
- 1 Timothy 5:8

It is clear to me that my allegiance is first to God, and subsequently to my family. I owe no allegiance to any human government that pretends to rule over me. I am morally justified in doing whatever is necessary to provide for my family and and defend the fruit of my labor from robbery by government.

If that includes lying, so be it.

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~FIN~

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