Ok so there's this situation that came up a couple times and I don't really know how to handle it...
After commiting a sin, you repent and confess to Abouna. Now the sin no longer exists on "your record". The next day, a couple of friends ask you if you committed the sin. Do you say yes or no, since the sin is gone and God has forgotten it. Would saying "no" be considered a lie? ???
Comments
Tell your "friends" to mind their own business. If they were true friends they would not seek to know your sins, but they would help you in repentance and coming back to God. They have no reason and no business in knowing your own private sins.
Good point :) lol
If whatever you have done concerns some of your friends, then maybe it is their business. but you can simply not answer their inquiry. So you don't lie to them.
E.g. if someone kills someone and confesses it. God forgives him completely, but that doesn't mean the governing law won't punish him for what he did. There are consequences to our behaviour.