The world of lies is a world of slavery, while the truth sets us free. “White lies” are often said to be compassionate. And many sins are justified by alluding to the fact that they are "necessary" to achieve certain ends. In other words: the end justifies the means. Lying, from this perspective, can be relatively good or moderately bad. But God's commandments are absolute. "Thou shalt not lie" is an order, not a suggestion or a phrase put up for discussion.