A Little White Lie?

When is it "right" to lie? Is it ever "right" to lie? Does God ever condone lying? Proverbs speaks prolifically concerning this issue, going so far as to proclaim that God hates lying and a lying tongue (Prov. 6:17). In fact, Proverbs 12:22 says, "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord."

Some, however, believe that it is "right" or "okay" with God to lie in certain situations, such as wartime. Apparently, it is now okay to lie in order to save lives as well. In Ohio, Joe Cambria is being honored by the mayor for saving the life of his mother by lying to her:

Joe, 11, lied to his mother (Carol Sprouse) to lure her out of a house fire at their residence at 661 Grantwood Ave. Sprouse, 39, was inside the home trying to find Simba, their family cat.

What do you think of this situation? Is this a description of situational ethics? Is it right to honor a boy for lying? Is there a better way to handle this situation?

Whatever the answers are to these questions, we must always keep in mind that lying is something that our God hates, and which is an abomination to Him. So, what do you think?