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Q&A – Undercover Work and Lies

April 1st, 2015

Hey all, looking for some help on a question. I’m past-due because I’m behind on – well, everything in life right now! Lol. But the question I’m working on is this – “Would it be a sin for an undercover police officer, or a CIA agent, or someone like that to lie to do their job?
Thanks.” Any thoughts? My instinct is to say “yes”, because I’m not for the idea of “the ends justify the means”, but I’m not sure how to express this principle scripturally in this case.

  • Seen by 31
  • Elizabeth DeVore We need an article on that. We get it way too often.
    17 hrs · Unlike · 2
  • Stuart Mattfield John, as one who has had to do this at various times in my career, I will give you my perspective…it is a lie. Ends don’t justify the means…to me, it comes down to the things I’m comfortable standing before the Lord in judgment. I’ll answer for that…and I’m okay with that…but it is a lie.
    17 hrs · Like · 1
  • Sarah Van Baale My initial impression isn’t “yes” unless it is also a sin to act in a play. Becoming a different character in an effort to defeat the enemy I’m not convinced is the same as lying. There are a lot of undercover people in various law enforcement arenas who gather exceedingly valuable intel that save many lives – military, police, etc. But honestly, I haven’t given it much thought and I’m short on time, so that’s the best I’ve got in 1 minute.
    17 hrs · Like · 2
  • James Toland God doesn’t just look at the letter of the law but the spirit of it as well. See where Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath and was condemned by the Pharisees but Jesus knew what was more important and obviously didn’t sin. He knows our heart and intent of the action. Not just the action itself.
    17 hrs · Like
  • Stuart Mattfield An actor in a play is presenting a character for the purpose of entertainment…not deceipt. If the misrepresentation is for the purpose of decieving…it’s a lie, regardless of the value of information.
    17 hrs · Like
  • Sarah Van Baale What about Rahab?
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  • Stuart Mattfield Rahab’s lie, along with other lies, is never portrayed as an act of righteousnes. In fact, Rahab’s life is not portrayed as ideal, but rather she is one of many examples of how God uses them for His glory despite their sin…
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  • Sarah Van Baale James 2:25, I think, commends her for what she did.
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  • Stuart Mattfield It commends her for her protection of the spies…not the lie. From Bible Knowledge Commentary: “To argue that the spies would certainly have perished if Rahab had been truthful is to ignore the option that God could have protected the spies in some other way. To excuse Rahab for indulging in a common practice is to condone what God condemns. Paul quoted a prophet of Crete who said that Cretans were inveterate liars, and then added, ”This testimony is true. Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith“ (Titus 1:13). The lie of Rahab was recorded but not approved. The Bible approved her faith demonstrated by good works (Heb. 11:31), but not her falsehood.”
    17 hrs · Like
  • Sarah Van Baale I see what you’re saying, and I might not disagree. However, should an intruder come storming into my house and ask me where my children are, I’d probably lie, and then probably shoot him. Both may be sins, but I’d feel justified doing both, because evil always have evil intent and I don’t feel obligated to tell them the truth all the time for the sake of “telling the truth.”
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  • Leslie Van Anne “Scripture clearly teaches that “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight” (Proverbs 12:22 NKJV). God Himself cannot lie (Titus 1:2; Numbers 23:19; 1 Samuel 15:29), and therefore He cannot condone or sanction a lie.

    On the other hand, some argue that because of the circumstances, Rahab’s statement to her interrogators was not technically a “lie,” but a military feint—a legitimate stratagem designed to trick or outwit the enemy in warfare…” Full text: Is a Lie Ever White? John MacArthur http://www.gty.org/blog/B140813/is-a-lie-ever-white

    Is a Lie Ever White?
    Grace to You… John MacArthur’s in-depth Bible teaching brings the life-transforming truth of God’s Word to…
    GTY.ORG|BY GRACE TO YOU
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  • Vincent Trigili It is not that cut and dry. If I was the leader of a military I would use tactics designed to DECEIVE the enemy. Did not God himself order military tactics that were deception? How is that different from lies, and if it is different where is the line that the cop crossed by working undercover? I think just as the government is given the power of the sword, that some deception on part of the government is acceptable – such as an undercover cop. I do think the line is hard to define between abuse of this power and proper use, but I think we need to recognize that God grants the government and the agents there of different rights and privileges than he grants individuals.
    17 hrs · Like · 2
  • Christopher Dupre Were not hiding the spies and sending them off in a different direction and keeping the whole matter secret forms of deception? No war is ever won without deception laying the groundwork of the whole campaign.
    17 hrs · Like · 1
  • Leslie Van Anne Her house was the only one left standing (Josh 6:24).
    17 hrs · Like
  • Ed Chait There is a similar question in a thread started by Michael Reed McKenney on May 16, 2014 with lots of comments that may be helpful.
    16 hrs · Like
  • Marc Weiss I am a former cop, I would write one on the topic Elizabeth
    24 mins · Unlike · 1

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