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Is it sin to lie or kill for the right MOTIVE?

Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by Skandelon, Mar 1, 2011.

  1. Skandelon

    Skandelon <b>Moderator</b>

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    Luke has been making these arguments regarding sin and motives:

    So, by this logic, if Luke believes I'm spreading a false doctrine would it not be acceptable for him to lie about me to discredit me in order to stop false doctrine from being spread? Or for me to do the same to him?

    Why not kill me to stop heresy? The motive is good, isn't it?

    What about those who kill abortionist? There motive is good, isn't it?

    Please explain why this argument is good or bad in your opinion...
     
  2. freeatlast

    freeatlast New Member

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    Your question is somewhat flawed as it gives a negative and a positive and seeks the same answer.
    As for killing we are allowed to take life for personal protection, in war, and for punishment where the law has been violated. In fact it is a command where someone has violated certain laws.

    As for lying scripture never gives permission for that so the answer is no we are never to lie to justify something we feel is right. If simple rational thinking were allowed to override prohibitions against sin then there would be no sins at all since all sin can be rationally overcome by the sinner. In fact a woman who is a prostitute can rationalize she has to do that to feed herself and since she does it without any emotional attachment she is justified. The homosexual rationalizes his/her actions because they are in love. The thief because he is only stealing from the rich who can afford it. The abortionist because the unborn is not a person. And the worst of all the claimed Christian because no one is perfect and so on. Of course all this would be self deception as is any sin we might justify.
     
    #2 freeatlast, Mar 1, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 1, 2011
  3. glfredrick

    glfredrick New Member

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    Complicated question. You win no matter who says what.

    You practicing to be a lawyer? :laugh:

    But, I know that you'll press me for an answer to your question anyway, so here goes. Yes, one is a sinner. Motive is not all. There is word, thought, and deed. Any one can condemn the doer as a sinner.

    Isn't God's grace utterly fantastic? The only way we can stand before Him righteous is based on Christ's imputed righteousness. What a great gift from a Great God!
     
  4. Thousand Hills

    Thousand Hills Active Member

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    :thumbsup:
     
  5. Skandelon

    Skandelon <b>Moderator</b>

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    We actually agree on this point. :thumbsup:

    Just wanting to see how Luke replies now...
     
  6. matt wade

    matt wade Well-Known Member

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    Motive doesn't come into play. Sin is sin, regardless of whether you even believe you are sinning.

     
  7. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    And what if he ignores you?
     
  8. Luke2427

    Luke2427 Active Member

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    We leave judgment to God and the State which God has endorsed to judge the affairs men upon earth.

    You did not make an argument yourself. I await your argument against the idea that motive is what makes a thing good or evil on the part of the one doing it.
     
  9. Amy.G

    Amy.G New Member

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    If a woman is raped and has an abortion because she cannot bear the thought of carrying the baby of her rapist, is her motive good?
     
  10. Luke2427

    Luke2427 Active Member

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    Sin is sin exclusively BECAUSE of motive. Plain and simple.

    Motive behind sin is the idolatrous exaltation of self rather than the appropriate debasement of self before Holy God.

    We come forth from the womb with this self exalting, God debasing nature.

    It is from the heart that sin comes. Sin is not the deed itself. If I slip and cut your throat on accident it is not murder. Murder is only murder if the motive is self centered ignoring the demands of Holy God.
     
  11. Luke2427

    Luke2427 Active Member

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    Nope.
    _____
     
  12. Amy.G

    Amy.G New Member

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    Why not? Do you know her heart?
     
  13. Luke2427

    Luke2427 Active Member

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    Read post ten.
     
  14. idonthavetimeforthis

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    You're supposing that God is not in absolute control of every situation.
     
  15. Amy.G

    Amy.G New Member

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    My point is that God decides what sin is. We cannot just say it's according to motive because we cannot always see what a person's motive is.
    God sets the standards for righteousness and He does not change, so when you say something like God can do "anything" and it's right is implying that God can change His own standards to suit Himself. God does not change and He does not expect us to follow an ever changing set of rules.
     
  16. Amy.G

    Amy.G New Member

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    ??? You missed the point. Maybe I was too vague. God is always in control. If you knew what my life has been like for the past year you would know that I trust God to be in control. :)
     
  17. matt wade

    matt wade Well-Known Member

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    How do you reconcile the account in Genesis 20 then? According to God, Abimelech was going to sin even though he had no idea that Sarah was Abraham's wife. Abimelech believed that Sarah was an available woman and not married.
     
  18. idonthavetimeforthis

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    To suggest that a woman can have an abortion because she was raped is to suggest that God is not in complete control. Maybe I misunderstood.
     
  19. Amy.G

    Amy.G New Member

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    Yes. You did. I do not condone abortion even in the case of rape. My question was about motive only. Maybe I should delete that post. Bad example.
     
  20. Luke2427

    Luke2427 Active Member

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    We do not have to know what motive is.

    God does.

    That is enough.

    Who cares what WE know?

     
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