My question is: are there limitations on telling a lie?  My wife and I have been separated for nineteen months.  My wife is in a relationship presently and seems to be happy even though we are not divorced.  I pay child support for our daughter.  She has asked me to refinance my home and lower the house payment in order for her to make the house payments.  In order to do this, the mortgage company requires that I live there... which will not happen.  If I refinance and answer the question correctly, I will be lying and committing fraud.  Yet, if I don’t, they will lose the house because they are not able to make the mortgage payment.  I want to do the right thing according to God’s Word.

Sincerely,
From The Outside Looking In

Dear From The Outside Looking In,

Lying is never right.  God tells us to be plain and honest people – let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes’ and your ‘no’ be ‘no’ (Matt 5:37).  Doing the right thing is hardest when it costs us something… but that is part of taking up our cross and following Christ (Matt 16:24).  Be honest with your wife (who should not be in a relationship with another man… but that is a separate issue), and make it clear that you cannot refinance a home you aren’t living in – that is the law.  Who knows, it may make room for you to have a conversation about reconciliation (1 Cor 7:10-11).

Yes, I was arrested years ago for something stupid; is being arrested a sin… even if it’s nothing?  Because cops where I lived will arrest you for anything.

Sincerely,
Convicted

Dear Convicted,

Being arrested isn’t a sin as long as you didn’t do anything wrong.  Paul was arrested for preaching the gospel (Acts 16:25) – so were the rest of the apostles (Acts 5:17-18).  If you are innocent, then there isn’t an issue.  We are told to obey the government’s regulations insomuch as they don’t contradict the Scriptures (1 Pet 2:13-14).  If you suffer as an innocent person, you will be rewarded by God (1 Pet 3:14) – but if you were arrested for a law you actually broke, it is a sin.

Does God condone war?  I am a veteran of the U.S. Army and am thinking of returning to service, but I feel a bit conflicted as to whether God would approve of me returning to service.  I am proud to have served my country, but my faith runs deeper than my pride.  Thank you.

Sincerely,
Military Man

Dear Military Man,

God gives governments the authority to fight wars and has even commanded nations to fight battles in certain circumstances.  The entire Old Testament is full of examples of God directing Israel to attack other nations because of their ungodliness.  God holds the power of nations within His hands (Pr 21:1), and many of the most faithful of God’s servants have been soldiers (read “Holding Down The Fort” for further details).  There is no contradiction between serving as a soldier and being a servant of Christ.

The Bible says, "Touch not My anointed, and do him no harm".  My question is: when is it a legal issue?  If the anointed is a child molester and a murderer, should his behavior be reported to the leaders of the church?

Sincerely,
Pressing Charges

Dear Pressing Charges,

The verse you are referring to (1 Chr 16:22) has nothing to do with reporting a murderer or other heinous criminals.  1 Chr 16:22 (it is also mentioned in Ps 105:15) is specifically talking about how God took care of the nation of Israel.  The preceding verse (1 Chr 16:21) mentions how God forbid other kings and nations from attacking Israel.

If someone has committed a serious felony, you should do more than report them to the leadership of the church – you should report them to the authorities.  God specifically sets the government in place to bring to justice people who having chosen to destroy others’ lives (Rom 13:3-4).

Is it a proper Christian attitude for me to want to buy an assault rifle because the government wants to take them away?

Sincerely,
Self-Defensive

Dear Self-Defensive,

The Scripture never condemns weapons – Jesus even told His disciples to get swords at one point (Lk 22:36), and made a whip for Himself to clear the temple (Jhn 2:15).  Owning weapons isn’t a problem as long as it isn’t breaking the law to do so (and of course, as long as you are behaving in a Christian manner with those weapons).  Christians must obey the laws of the land (Rom 13:1-2).  If at some point it becomes illegal, you would need to follow those new laws as an act of honoring God.  As for the attitude behind your desire – it is for you to examine yourself and your motives.