Knowing sin from life

[DaVinci2]

Odd title, but an odd question.

In your opinion, a person who does something, unsure of whether it's a sin or not, what should he do? As an example, a man tells a lie about another man in order to protect him/her (The other man) from embarrassment. He has lied...but for a 'good' reason. Does this man still ask God for forgiveness, even though the lie was for a good reason (If there is such a thing). If I were this man, I would wonder...does God know it was never an intent to fool the others but to protect one.

A better example would be, if I prayed for a person who is not Christian and I wasn't sure this was OK (It is, I think...but let's say I didn't know)...what do I do aside from asking a priest. This is a very basic example, but when things get more complicated than that what should one do? Once you've asked Him for forgiveness (And still unsure if it's a sin) and you pray again for someone not knowing if it's OK or not, do you go back and just keep asking for forgiveness not sure whether God sees what I'm doing is good or bad. Or do I have faith that what I am doing is for a good reason.

One more (Just popped in my head): A man is a sniper and kills a man not knowing if he was good or bad, only that he was shooting towards his men. This man has killed. He did it because his commander said he should. Does this man then ask for forgiveness again and again...or does he ask God once "Please understand I do this for the lives of others, and forgive me for taking life that you have created." ???

[Barbara52]

Interesting questions you ask.

First off I don't see how praying for anyone can be considered a sin regardless of who they are or what their beliefs may be.

Telling a lie to protect somone from embarrassment is a little iffier I suppose. I'd have to say yes its a sin and ask for forgiveness. Telling a lie to protect someone from the consequences of something doesn't seem justifiable really.

As fo rthe sniper, if that sniper believes they are committing murder, yes, I think they would have to ask for forgiveness each time. But I would also have to ask if forgiveness would be forthcoming since the act is repeated and no real remorse/change is taking place. On the other hand, is killing during war a sin? A murder? I don't think so necessarily.

[cmc]

I can't imagine where you ever got the idea that it is ever wrong to pray for somebody. That is just not found in the bible.

Telling a lie to protect someone from what? If I have been told something in confidence about another person and you ask me about it...I don't need to lie. I can say "I'd rather not discuss it" or I could ask "Why don't you ask "Jimmy" himself? That's not lying, it's confidentiality.

If I am asked to keep a confidence that is unethical- to lie for or about someone...that would be an outright sin in my mind, because that would enable someone else to sin or otherwise cause harm.

I would lie in a heartbeat to save my own, or someone's life or help keep a defenseless person safe. If I was being robbed for instance- I would hope that I could be resourceful enough to get out of such a situation alive. I'm reminded of the many people who lied and deceived authorites by allowing safe haven for Jews in their homes during the Nazi invasions of various countries. Those people gave their all to save strangers in need. I would step out and say those people's choices deeply touched the heart of God.

Pretense to protect myself, my reputation or position would be 'bearing false witness'...for selfish gain is a sin. There are plenty of scriptures in both testaments about being honest and upright, but the commandement most often used about lying: "You shalt not bear false witness against your neighbor" actually refers to slander.

A sniper, or soldier or law enforcement officer who kills in the line of duty is not, in a biblical sense, committing murder. The people who are involved in those professions do have to live with the fact of what they do and they typically suffer greatly. All the more reason for me to be grateful to those who lay their lives on the line and are willing to do what I cannot do to keep my space safe.

DaVinci...I am going to recommend that you begin to read the bible to seek out these answers. There are many good bible study programs that you can access online. You appear to have a keen interest in the 'things of the Lord' and that is good. I can tell you what I have read but it's always best to check things out for yourself- to build up your own faith in God.

God bless you, and I'm so glad you posted your questions here.

[DaVinci2]

I did read somewhere online where it was quoted from the bible that you should not pray for those that do repent their sins, or something like that, which is why I brought that up. I do believe you can pray for anyone to find the right way.

As for the lie, it would be more about why someone was late for work, they had a good reason to be late, you know the reason, but in the mind of your boss it would not be a good reason and therefore when asked you say "I don't know." and as a result this person keeps his job.

Here's another example: Pre-marital sex. We've all done it (I think...if not more power to you). I personally believe that it is necessary for one to understand the importance of sex through actually doing it. And for this to be healthy within a marriage is extremely important IMO. Therefore, if my son or *gulp* daughter were to have sex before marriage, I could not say to them from my heart "You are sinning." since I think, and my heart tells me, that it's part of what makes us who we are. We learn, and we find the perfect person (Sometimes...). Should one go home, ask for forgiveness even though they know that they are going out to do it again because they aren't sure whether or not God thinks they are really wrong in doing so.

If one were to believe that their actions were a sin, a promise to stop drinking, and this person goes to bed and prays on his knees "God forgive me, I drank today. I do not want to drink again but I know I will. Help me not to." and he gets up the next day and drinks, knowing that his promise to his wife is being broken, what does he do?

I think this all comes down to 1 issue I have. I met my wife while I was with another girlfriend, and she was married. I had little religion in my life, but the love I had for her was blinding. She felt the same. The relationship I was in was poor in every way but I was young and did not know what to do. She was being abused and was extremely unhappy. We met. We fell in love. And before either of us had broken things off we had sex. Very soon after (3 months) she was divorced, I moved broke-up with my girlfriend, we moved in together, we got married. We have difficult times, but we look back on how we met and can't imagine how it is that through such difficult times (There were far more issues than being married...far far more: One being that her ex belonged to a very wealthy family, and I had almost nothing in my account.) how is it that God put us together...or did He? Now, years later I ask God whether it was He that put us on this road, or whether it was sin and should it be sin I would ask forgiveness, but should it have been Him do I?

[cmc]

DaVinci,
What seems right, what I think is right typically does not match up with what God has said.

Again...Reading for myself is the best way, the only way to discover what God has to say about anything. If you do a bible study on sin, you will find it is clearly defined. The Gospel of John is a great place to start and in addition to that you might read one chapter of Proverbs and one Psalm per day.

My children didn't appreciate the rules I had put in place to keep them safe; it's the same with God and His children. We all want to do things our own way, and the outcome is destructive. His way is good.