Is using deception and cunning the same as outright lying? If through circumstance and cunning one were to make another believe something that is untrue would that constitute a sin?
Bearing false witness to a neighbor is as evil as bearing false witness against them. Paul wrote that those who practice slander or gossip (among other things) will not inherit the kingdom of heaven, which means they don't have eternal life.
It depends on the purpose of the deception, whether it be God's will or not, whether it be godly love or not. We readily and rightly lie to an enemy who would kill us or our loved ones, as an extreme example. Parents lie to their children regularly to "save" them from the "god-awful truth," although I'm not so sure how effective that is.
Purposely withholding the truth from someone is a kind of deception, as you are acting like you don't know what you clearly know. So then, it really does depend on the purpose of the act, and what you are trying to accomplish. In Prov. it says "
the fool says whatever is on his mind." So we "hold our tongue" many times as a wise act, and not to be mischievous.
Therefore, to say that all deception is sin is problematic. We act on what we believe is a righteous reason for doing something. We don't focus on "not lying," since that is a fool's errand. So then, concerning this question: "If through circumstance and cunning one were to make another believe something that is untrue would that constitute a sin?" - it would be sin if the result of that person's belief was sinful. For example, to persuade someone of false doctrine would be sinful, but telling a panhandler you don't have any money would not.
It might be helpful if you explained the detail rather than ask a general question that requires "what if" scenarios.
TD