Thy Shalt Not Lie

Another topic of discussion this week has been lying. We mentioned it in hometeams Wednesday and again this morning in Bible study. I pose the question, "When, if ever, is it okay to lie?" I really don't have a firm answer on this. Is there such a thing as "situational ethics" or should we always adhere to "absolute ethics"? Two examples in the Bible come to mind:
1) Shiphrah and Puah, the midwives in Exodus 1 that did not kill the Hebrew babies. Pharoah commanded all Hebrew baby boys to be put to death. Shiphrah and Puah, however, disobeyed Pharoah and let the babies live. When asked, they lied and said the Hebrew women had the babies before they got there. In Exodus 1:20-21 it says, "So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became more numerous. And because the midwives feared God, He gave them families of their own."
2) Rahab in Joshua 2 and 6 and Hebrews 11:31. Rahab lied to hide the two spies when she was questioned. Because of her faith in the Lord, she and her family were saved when Jericho was destroyed.
So, did these ladies do the right thing by lying? Should we always tell the truth and trust the Lord will handle the situation even if it means our life and possibly others? Hopefully, we'll never be in that situation.