Is it a sin to lie to your little gullible children?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Blade

Well-known member
Nov 19, 2019
1,779
624
113
#21
Is it a sin to lie to your own little gullible children, who trust you, and convince them that a magic fat man in a read suit flies around the world on a sleigh pulled by reindeer, goes down all the chimneys in the world and delivers all the children gifts over night?

Is it wrong to teach your children to write prayers as letters, materialistic prayers asking for toys, to a deceased, but heavily venerated saint?

If you tell your children lies about a magic fat man flying around the world, then tell them that God raised Jesus from the dead, how will that impact their faith when they find out you were lying about the magic fat man?
To many questions. Why does what others say to their children bother you? They are not lying or sinning against you and GOD does not need another "CP (Christian cop)". This kind of thing happens all the time day in day out with believers. See whos kids are you talking about? Then why you only stopped at this one I have no idea. Trust Him He can take care of His Children.

See we can flip this since we're running with speculation. How "many" ..many? Anyway, told their kids about Santa and Christ yet it didn't impact nor touched their faith? Don't know about you but I know many. See one is fake one is real. Yet let's keep going, what about those that raised their kids in the faith yet those kids don't believe? Again I know some. See that Santa they were told is fake not real a lie but that GOD that left heaven became man died and rose we tell them that part is true. For some kids Christ may have been a real person but rose from the dead? They know you can't prove it, it's no more real than Santa flying around to them.

All that said, I still have to back up and ask why did you just talk about this one vs all the other lies. Yes yes we all know or love to believe we never lied to them yet we have at some point thinking to help them in some way. I pray we know telling our kids that Santa is not real does not being to touch all the lies and horrors of this world they will face. Is it not amazing how some of us hears so many lies yet He still found us.. seems He is the only one that can show us "truth". So have faith that He knows His kids better then we do and that we should focus on our own life and then see all the good others so for Christ talk about that
 

ThyKingdomComeSoon

Well-known member
Apr 1, 2023
974
596
93
#24
Absolutely untrue. If I lied to the SS about hiding Jews in my attic, that would not be a sin.
I understand what you mean, I was talking about children, in that context and also applies in normal life I know what you are saying and I AGREE WITH YOU! I am not a pharisee.. I am also sorry you had to go through this nightmare, what you did was an act of decency and kindness you saved their lives risking yours, of course it is not a sin on the contrary!

Many blessings to you.
 

NightTwister

Well-known member
Jul 5, 2023
2,098
790
113
65
Colorado, USA
#25
I understand what you mean, I was talking about children, in that context and also applies in normal life I know what you are saying and I AGREE WITH YOU! I am not a pharisee.. I am also sorry you had to go through this nightmare, what you did was an act of decency and kindness you saved their lives risking yours, of course it is not a sin on the contrary!

Many blessings to you.
I was using that as an example. I'm nowhere old enough for that to have happened to me. But there are also times when not telling the entire truth to children is not a sin. They should only be told what they are capable of understanding. As they get older that will increaase.
 

ThyKingdomComeSoon

Well-known member
Apr 1, 2023
974
596
93
#26
I was using that as an example. I'm nowhere old enough for that to have happened to me. But there are also times when not telling the entire truth to children is not a sin. They should only be told what they are capable of understanding. As they get older that will increaase.
ah your wig, I was certain you were born before this century. Also you lied to me! lol

About the capacity to understand, i tend to agree but how can they understand if we leave out the truth?

Cheers
 

presidente

Senior Member
May 29, 2013
9,163
1,791
113
#27
To many questions. Why does what others say to their children bother you? They are not lying or sinning against you and GOD does not need another "CP (Christian cop)".
You have wrong thinking on this issue. If that's a problem, you shouldn't have replied to my post complaining about 'Christian cops' because you are doing the same thing yourself.

We are supposed to admonish one another, and that includes the topic of parenting.

This kind of thing happens all the time day in day out with believers. See whos kids are you talking about? Then why you only stopped at this one I have no idea. Trust Him He can take care of His Children.
I didn't mention anyone in particular. There is not some specific believer we are talking about trusting with their children. The topic is whether or not it is acceptable to lie to gullible children.

See we can flip this since we're running with speculation. How "many" ..many? Anyway, told their kids about Santa and Christ yet it didn't impact nor touched their faith? Don't know about you but I know many. See one is fake one is real.
I know of one little girl who asked her parents after crying about Santa Claus being make-believe asked, "Is Jesus real?"

If many, many children manage to come through this trauma as believers, do you think that makes it okay to lie to them? What else would you think it is okay to deceive people about, as long as those people still end up as Christians?
 
Dec 3, 2023
440
77
28
#28
Santa Satan:unsure:
Their attributes are closer to secular worldly things, while divine things are sacred.
 

ThereRoseaLamb

Well-known member
Jan 17, 2023
4,781
2,068
113
#30
Is it a sin to lie to your own little gullible children, who trust you, and convince them that a magic fat man in a read suit flies around the world on a sleigh pulled by reindeer, goes down all the chimneys in the world and delivers all the children gifts over night?

Is it wrong to teach your children to write prayers as letters, materialistic prayers asking for toys, to a deceased, but heavily venerated saint?

If you tell your children lies about a magic fat man flying around the world, then tell them that God raised Jesus from the dead, how will that impact their faith when they find out you were lying about the magic fat man?

Awww where is the Lynx when you need him?? I will have to coax him out of the singles forum now. I have the popcorn hot and ready with extra butter and I am willing to provide beverages. Wasil anyone?
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
113
#33
I thought Saint Nicholas was actually a real person its just americans and coca-cola who've embellished the story. lol

We can all do as Saint Nicholas did which was give gifts (anonymously) to poor children during the hardest times (middle of winter) and pray they'll be blessed.
 

studentoftheword

Well-known member
Nov 12, 2021
1,716
596
113
#36
If you take Santa ----and move some letters ---it Spells SATAN -----go figure ----

Just maybe this fallen World is calling what is evil ----Good ------food for thought ---

Santa is a Lie ---but Satan is real --------and telling your Children to be good or they will not get presents is intimidation----and instilling fear in them which does not Come from God -----food for thought -------

True Christians are Not To Judge Unbelievers as they live and believe what this fallen world allows them to believe ------Unbelievers are living their rightful way in a fallen World ------
so no judgment is necessary -----

True Christians are to tell the truth to stay on the right Path and not have their Prayers Blocked ----so True Christians need to be upfront with their Children and tell them that Jesus is the reason for the Season Who can give the Spiritual Gifts that will last forever and give them many Spiritual and Physical gifts through out their lives ---- SANTA can only give Physical gifts which will only last a short time and then they are discarded or forgotten about after Christmas ------only for the children to want more gifts

True Christ--ians are to judge their believing Brothers and Sisters who are going down the wrong path ------the Bible gives instructions on how to deal with other believers who are sinning -----so we are to judge our own ----not the World -----

Are There Hidden Similarities Between Jesus and Santa Claus for a Reason?
https://www.jesusdaily.org/are-there-hidden-similarities-between-jesus-and-santa-claus-for-a-reason/

Someone showed me this list recently and I really was surprised by it.

If you had asked me to name one connection between Jesus and Santa I guess I would have said they both have beards, thats about it. But little did I realize how much they had in common. Is this a coincidence? Regardless of what you believe about ‘ol Kris Kringle, could he have been intentionally designed to mimic Jesus is some ways? We will let you decide.

1. Jesus has white hair like wool in Revelations. (Rev 1:14).
Santa has white hair like wool.

2. Jesus has a beard (Isaiah 50:6).
Santa has a beard.

3. Jesus comes in red apparel (Isaiah 63:1-2).
Santa comes in red apparel.

4. Jesus’ hour of His coming is a mystery (Luke 12:40; Mark 13:33).
Santa’s hour of his coming is a mystery

5 Jesus comes from the North where He lives (Ezekiel 1:4; Psalm 48:2).
Santa comes from the North where he lives: North Pole.

6. Jesus is a carpenter (Mark 6:3).
Santa is a toy carpenter.

7. Jesus comes as a thief in the night (Matthew 24:43-44).
Santa comes like a thief in the night and even gains entrance to homes down a chimney like thieves have done.

8. Jesus is omnipotent — all powerful (Rev 19:6).
Santa is omnipotent — he delivers all the toys of the world in one night.

9. Jesus is omniscient — knows all (Hebrews 4:13; 1 John 3:20).
Santa is omniscient — knows if every single child has been good or bad for the entire year.

10. Jesus is omnipresent (Psalm 139:7-10; Ephesians 4:6; John 3:13).
Santa is omnipresent — sees when you are awake or asleep. Has to be everywhere at once.

11. Jesus is ageless and eternal (Rev 1:8; 21:6).
Santa lives forever

12. Jesus lives in men (1 Cor 3:16; 2 Cor 6:16-17).
Santa lives in the hearts of children.

13. Jesus is a giver of Gifts (Ephesians 4:8).
Santa is a giver of Gifts.

14. We are told to boldly go to the throne of Jesus’ Grace for our needs (Heb 4:16).
Children are asked to approach Santa’s throne to ask for anything they want.

15. Jesus commands children to obey parents (Colossians 3:20).
Santa tells children to obey parents.

16. Jesus wants little children to come to Him (Mark 10:14).
Santa bids children to come to him.

17. Jesus judges (Rom 14:10; Rev 20:2).
Santa judges whether we are naughty or nice.

18. Jesus is called the Everlasting Father (Isa 9:6).
Santa is called Father Christmas.

19. Jesus is the Christ Child (Matt 1:23; Luke 2:11-12).
Santa is also called “Kris Kringle” which means the Christ Child in Austrian and German lore.

20. Jesus is worthy of Prayers and Worship (Rev 5:14; Hebrews 1:6).
Children make wishes to “St.Nick” and have deep love for him.

21. God says, “Ho, ho … (Zechariah 2:6).
Santa says, “Ho, ho, ho …”.

22. Jesus is called the Prince of Peace, the Image of God (Isaiah 9:6; Hebrews 1:3).
Santa is the symbol of World Peace, an image of the Christmas Season.

23. Jesus knows all of our sins (Hebrews 4:13).
Santa knows who is naughty or nice.

WOW!!

So you can see why there is such a big debate whether these similarities are coincidence or not.

Regardless of the parallels listed above there is one enormous difference to remember

Jesus is the REAL reason for the season (Luke 2:10-14).
 

Angela53510

Senior Member
Jan 24, 2011
11,786
2,957
113
#37
This whole topic is hilarious. Not because Christians should lie, but because of what happened when my husband jumped on this bandwagon. He became obsessed our kids would not believe Jesus was real, if we told them Santa and the Easter Bunny were real. He believed if we lied to them about one ying, they would believe we lied about Jesus.

Our youngest was 3 at the time. My husband sat him down and told him there was no Santa, it was just a story. Only Jesus was real. Then, I took my son shopping to get some pictures we had done of him.

We got to the mall, and there was a helicopter circling over the mall. We stopped to watch it as it slowly descended into the parking lot. This was a big thrill for my son, who liked big machines & helicopters. Then the helicopter landed in the mall parking lot! My son & I were both shocked.

We were even more shocked when Santa got out of the helicopter in full dress, with a large bag of presents & walked into the mall.

My son was thunderstruck! So was I! It was quite the production. But the funniest part came when my 3 year old son turned to me and said, “Boy, Dad sure was wrong about Santa!”

Children believe what they see! And his faith was never damaged, believing in Santa till he was a bit older, but also believing in Jesus. He still believes. And his wife is a Christian, and his 10 year old son is a Christian who has read a children’s Bible several times through. Plus my grandson often phones me to ask me deep theological questions he comes up with. His mom is really glad he has me to phone!

My point? This terrible legalism is garbage! Believing in Santa does not interfere with children believing in Jesus. Leave the children their dreams and fun. If they are raised in a godly home, go to Sunday School, hear the Bible read out loud to them, hear prayer and are prayed for, they will become Christians. Sometimes it takes a while, but never give up on the salvation of your children & grandchildren.

My grandmother had some atheist children. Her grandchildren were not raised to be Christians. Well, my grandmother told us all about Jesus. And she prayed long and hard for us to be saved and know Christ! And most of her grandchildren are saved! Even the ones from atheist homes. And I had the privilege of leading my agnostic father to Christ 5 months before he died. And I know my grandmother prayed for my father, as I did for 31 years. Oh yes, I was raised by atheist parents, yet God saved me! Although I was fortunate to have gone to Baptist Sunday School as a child, where are memorized 100s of Bible verses, including John 3:16. Yet, God still saved me, although my mother died an atheist, sadly. Despite 43 years of prayer - I’ll leave that to God!

If you are worried about your children’s salvation. Don’t destroy their fantasies. But expose them to a loving God, and pray hard for God to save them!
 

Aaron56

Well-known member
Jul 12, 2021
2,841
1,635
113
#38
You should not lie to kids.
But it's okay to deceive the unemployed lazy people who live with you.
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
19,184
6,605
113
62
#39
Santa Satan:unsure:
Their attributes are closer to secular worldly things, while divine things are sacred.
Christ is to be in all areas of life...from the mundane to the spectacular. What makes the ordinary sacred is that it is separated and repurposed for God's use. Christmas, or anything else, can be set aside for God's use.
He created everything good and very good.
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,128
3,689
113
#40
My point? This terrible legalism is garbage!
Lying to your child is not legalism. It's sin. Santa has zero, nothing, nada to do with Christmas. At least admit that Santa distracts from the birth of Christ. Satan, I mean Santa, has placed God's attributes upon himself.

Isaiah 14:
12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.