by Dr. Elizabeth Mitchell
November 4, 2011
Q: Did Abram really lie?
A: Genesis states that Sarai really was Abram’s half-sister, making Abram’s claim—“She’s my sister”—technically true. But does Scripture offer any examples in which telling only part of the truth is the right thing to do? Proverbs 12:22–23 offers some insight: Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight. A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims foolishness. Clearly, the Lord condemns lying and praises those who deal truthfully. And just as clearly, the Lord calls the person who keeps some knowledge to himself wise. God seems to agree that it can be foolish to tell everything you know. In the case of Abram and Pharaoh, by concealing information that would have been customarily provided, Abram implied that he was not married to Sarai. He used the literal truth to imply an untruth. This action is analogous to our concept of sins of commission and sins of omission. Abram’s sin was one of omission—not technically a lie, but it amounted to the same thing.
Continue reading to consider this important moral question in the light of Scripture—as well as the question, “Can a prophet of God lie?”
http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2011/11/04/feedback-did-abraham-really-lie#
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