Sermon On The Mount: Swearing
Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.' But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by Heaven, for it is God's throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the
Matthew 5:33-37 (NKJV)
I used to swear, and sometimes, I still mess up:(
But specifically, in my B.C. years, If I had a big point, I'd swear to God–to play up the importance of my words. I was convinced of my own righteousness:(
Let’s look at some of the types of swearing:
Irreverent emphasis: OMG!! God damn it!!! Jesus H. Christ!!!! *
Manipulative pitches: I swear it's the best car on the market.
Ill-considered promises: I swear I'll do it. I swear I’ll be there.
Dishonest testimony: I swear I’m telling the truth (but you aren’t).
Humorous profanity: Then the priest said to the horse, holy sh*t.
Furious profanity: I’m sooo @#$%!#F***ing MAD!
In His big Sermon, Jesus said to stop all types of swearing. Why? Consider His Self-declaration: 'I can of Myself do nothing' (John 5:30). In human form, people are powerless. God holds the power to make things happen.
Paul agreed: 'By the grace of God I am what I am' (1 Corinthians 15:10).
James agreed, too: 'You do not know what will happen tomorrow' (James 4:14).
Swearing is big talk, and big talk is a tempting candy bar. It stands out, urging us to buy and bite, but doesn’t don’t offer any substance. We’re strangely compelled to eat more and more, even though it’s evidently harmful.
One way to remain fit, full, and healthy, in terms of the words we ‘eat’ or offer… is a commitment to simplicity.
'Let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one' (Matthew 5:37). The devil specializes in big talk.
Actors, models, and talent for Christ, as the Lord’s communication task force, speak like your Savior: clean, true, and simple. Only trust others who speak that way, too.
'Yes' and 'No' are strong, full, and sufficient.
Sermon On The Mount: Swearing (Part 12)
* A.K.A. Taking the Lord’s Name in vain: ‘The third of The Ten Commandments states, ‘You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain’ ‘ (Exodus 20:7). This being said, do remember... God FORGIVES! See Romans 8:1.
* ‘I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come’ (Matthew 12:31-32).
* Excellent, article about the meaning of the ‘unforgivable sin.’ (Comforting hint: It’s not about taking the Lord’s name in vain accidentally, for a role, or in a fit of momentary anger): https://www.biola.edu/blogs/good-book-blog/2021/what-is-the-unforgiveable-sin-what-is-blasphemy-against-the-spirit#:~:text=31-,Therefore%20I%20say%20to%20you%2C%20any%20sin%20and%20blasphemy%20shall,Spirit%20shall%20not%20be%20forgiven.&text=Whoever%20speaks%20a%20word%20against,in%20the%20age%20to%20come.
NOTE: This is a 2023 update of a 2013 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.