Is it a sin to "jokingly lie"?

[christianmma]

Quick question, hoping someone here can explain this to me.

I'm wondering if Christians can jokingly lie, aka "kid around" with someone.

Example, if my friend asked me what I got for him for Christmas (which was a joke in the first place since he knew I wouldn't tell him) and I answered "a lump of coal!" jokingly;
Is it a sin? Is it really lieing?

I'm struggling with it, because on 1 hand I know that my answer is not the truth, but since he knew I wasn't telling the truth, is it still sin?

Little "light" things like this is where I'm struggling right now in my life. Humor like kidding around and sarcasm are big parts of my personality, before I was saved and still are after, only recently am I questioning such things.

 

[stormdancer0]

Ah, a fellow sarcasm-ist.

The idea of "lie" is the intent of deceit. You were not trying to deceive your friend, not trying to get him to believe something that isn't true for your own advancement or gain. It is the spirit behind lying that God hates.

What gets dicey for me is what if you're having a surprise party for someone and they ask about it? Your intent is to deceive, but not for your own gain. But is it forbidden?

So many hairs to split, so little time!!!

(Let's not even get into telling kids about Santa Claus and the tooth fairy!!)

 

[Trust--N--Him]

lying sounds like a sin to me. what were you trying to gain from it?

 

[rahmiyn]

Quick question, hoping someone here can explain this to me.

I'm wondering if Christians can jokingly lie, aka "kid around" with someone.

Example, if my friend asked me what I got for him for Christmas (which was a joke in the first place since he knew I wouldn't tell him) and I answered "a lump of coal!" jokingly;
Is it a sin? Is it really lieing?

I'm struggling with it, because on 1 hand I know that my answer is not the truth, but since he knew I wasn't telling the truth, is it still sin?

Little "light" things like this is where I'm struggling right now in my life. Humor like kidding around and sarcasm are big parts of my personality, before I was saved and still are after, only recently am I questioning such things.

I believe the sin is not in what you say or do, but in why you say or do something--and the resultant effect on another person.

"Love one another," and the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit are our best guide to decipher the difference.

It sounds to me as if your friend enjoyed your response understanding the true meaning behind it, as you explained.

 

[sincerity2u]

But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting,
Eph 5:3-4

Jesting is joking around, and lying is lying, no matter if it were meant or not. We should do nothing against the truth, but for the truth, no matter how minor it may seem.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Proverbs 26



18 Like a madman shooting
firebrands or deadly arrows
19 is a man who deceives his neighbor
and says, "I was only joking!"
20 Without wood a fire goes out;
without gossip a quarrel dies down.


Psalm 52:4
You love every harmful word, O you deceitful tongue!



Romans 13:10

Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.




So in the sense of your original question . so long as the person does so and it harms another . (and there appears to be an underlying tenor of "intent" also) then it is sin . because of the underlying love principle under each "commandment"



Proverbs 17:9
9 He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.


Proverbs 10:12
12 Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.


But there is also a time when covering up wrongs in interest of not stirring up strife (which God hates) and promoting Love (of which the Scriptures say God is Love) is also called for . Assuming you guys have the Spirit of God you can ask Him for discernment (according to Paul) if you feel you don't have enough (discernment) to make such decisions as they come up .

 

[Gregory Thompson]

But regarding lying being a sin . yes .. we are not innately truth like Jesus is so it is written:

Let God be true, and every man a liar. (Romans 3:4)

but what would the point of proving something is a sin?

The point in this new and better covenant .. is to forgive .

and reflect His grace to others who do not deserve it either .

 

[Jeffz]

Every word spoken without love is useless. I know that I am not without sin for if I said I was it would be a lie. Thanks be to God and Jesus that he is our righteousness. So I strive to speak words sprinkled with the love of Christ. A joke or white lie always uses others at their expense.
Jeffrey

 

[Memento Mori]

No, it's not a sin. Whether it's prudent or not is another matter. I am a very sarcastic person most of the time, but I need to work on that. Not that we have to be dour all the time, but a little mildness is good for the soul.

 

[Tammy]

Like you say, he asked you a silly question, KNOWING you wouldn't tell him the real answer....no, it isn't a lie.... A lie is to deceive someone...and you didn't deceive him...

 

[DaBronx]

I agree... He knew you weren't telling the truth and both of you knew it was all in fun... No need to worry.

My big one is when you go to someone's house for dinner and they brag about how great they cook this or that and you taste it and hate it... When they ask if you like it and you say "yes" how sinful is that?????

 

[rahmiyn]

I agree... He knew you weren't telling the truth and both of you knew it was all in fun... No need to worry.

My big one is when you go to someone's house for dinner and they brag about how great they cook this or that and you taste it and hate it... When they ask if you like it and you say "yes" how sinful is that?????

I don't see why you can't say "It's not the kind of thing I prefer," and still be okay. Everyone has different tastes, especially in foods, so such should never be an insult, if it's explained with kindness.

 

[Trust--N--Him]

what are you doing with this? have you changed/made up your mind on this?

 

[C_Angel]

Quick question, hoping someone here can explain this to me.

I'm wondering if Christians can jokingly lie, aka "kid around" with someone.

Example, if my friend asked me what I got for him for Christmas (which was a joke in the first place since he knew I wouldn't tell him) and I answered "a lump of coal!" jokingly;
Is it a sin? Is it really lieing?

I'm struggling with it, because on 1 hand I know that my answer is not the truth, but since he knew I wasn't telling the truth, is it still sin?

Little "light" things like this is where I'm struggling right now in my life. Humor like kidding around and sarcasm are big parts of my personality, before I was saved and still are after, only recently am I questioning such things.

This is one of those things you must take up with the Lord. No one can tell you whether or not something like this is sinful to you because it pertains to your own convictions. The intent in joking is usually to bond with others -- If it is to make someone appear like a fool, that is another thing altogether. God looks at the heart wherein man looks outwardly at everything -- At face value, if you will. Pray and seek God's counsel on the matter.


God bless.

 

[DaBronx]

I don't see why you can't say "It's not the kind of thing I prefer," and still be okay. Everyone has different tastes, especially in foods, so such should never be an insult, if it's explained with kindness.

I guess you're right... Lying has always come so easy for me that I'm making up reasons why it's OK... I just thought it would hurt her feelings since she made such a big deal about her special dish that everyone loves...

Sorry - didn't mean to hijack your thread... or make anyone believe that sometimes lying is OK

 

[Illuminite]

I think it may be if it's within a minute or so the truth be told. I see this more a joking.