Matthew 5:33-37 What Jesus Said About Swearing
Introduction: In explaining His attitude toward the Law
Jesus said that he had not come to destroy the Law, but rather to fulfill
it. The implication is that He had come
to fulfill it without any change. But,
in fulfilling the Law Jesus fulfilled the spirit of the Law, which was more strict than the letter of the Law.
I. The definition of the word, swear. (Three definitions)
A. It means to
call upon God to attest to the truth of a statement.
1.
Example: “I swear by the God of heaven this is so.”
2. In
reality one is calling upon God to severely punish him if he tells not the
truth.
3.
Example: “I swear to God and hope to die.”
4. If
he does not die, this is supposed to give evidence that he told the truth.
B. Another meaning
is to call upon God to attest the truth of a vow to do a certain thing.
C. A third is to
curse or use profanity.
II. The Biblical use of the
word, swear. (Two definitions)
A. The word is
never used in the sense of profanity.
B. The Law never
authorized swearing in general conversation, but only in certain legal and
religious situations.
1. (Legal)
Where there was no witness or proof, the defendant was to swear to the
truth and the court was to accept this as the truth, Exodus
22:10-11
2. The
individual was to vow certain services to God. Numbers 30:2
C. In either case
he was not to swear falsely, Leviticus 19:12.
III. Jesus’ explanation of the
spirit of the Law.
A. Jesus explained
that the letter of the Law did permit swearing, but forbid false swearing,
verse 33.
B. But Jesus
explained that the Christian should not swear at all, verse 34a.
C. He condemned
the practice of the Pharisees, verses 34-36.
1. The
Pharisees believed that to swear by anything other than God gave them a
loophole
and did
not obligate them to tell the truth or keep the vow.
2.
Jesus pointed out that to swear by heaven, etc. is the same as swearing
by the Lord Himself.
D. The Christian
is to simply either affirm or deny without swearing,
verse 37.
(He is to so practice telling the truth that
he will not need to swear in order to convince others
that he speaks the
truth).
IV. Lessons from the Law on
swearing.
A. God holds men
responsible for telling the truth.
1.
This is so in legal matters, religious matter, in personal and private
matters, and in
ordinary
conversation.
2. One
does not have to appeal to God to punish him for not telling the truth.
(God punishes for all sin
including the lie).
B. God listens in
on all that is said and sees all that is done.
1. Men
shall give account for every idle word.
2.
They shall give account for every deed done.
C. God holds men
responsible even for what they fail to do.
1. God
holds them responsible for doing the things they have promised men and God.
2. But
even if they had not promised, if it is something they should do, He holds them
responsible. (Church attendance, Bible
study, etc.).
D. God looks at
the heart. (Men are dependent on what
they see you do or hear you say,
but God tries the
thoughts and intents of the heart).
Conclusion: 1. Get your heart right with God.
2. Get
your church life in line with God’s will.
3. Get
your conversation in line with His will.
4.
Keep your promises and fulfill your obligations to God and man.
5. Do
not swear at all, just tell the truth.
Tell the truth habitually.
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