Promises and vows to the Lord are serious business, as taught by the author of Ecclesiastes (5:1–7). His advice was, “Do not be quick with your mouth,” lest one risked offering “the sacrifice of fools.” To make a vow and not keep it disrespects God and shows a sinful lack of the fear of the Lord.
Oaths and vows are not to be taken lightly. The Old Testament Law had said, “Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made” (cited by Jesus in v. 33; see Num. 30:2). Once again, Jesus raises the bar; this time He teaches us not to swear oaths or vows at all (vv. 34–36).
Should we swear by heaven? No, for that would be presumptuous. Should we swear by the earth? No, for just as the first is God’s throne, the second is His footstool. Should we swear by Jerusalem? No, for it’s His city (Ps. 48:2). Surely, we’re allowed to swear at least by our own heads. No, for we cannot change even one hair on them.
What to do instead? Simply say “yes” or “no” and mean it (v. 37; James 5:12–13). Whatever we say should be true. Our word should be our bond, as the saying goes, meaning that if we say we’ll do something, it should be as good as a formal promise. No oath, vow, or special contract should be needed if we’re people of integrity. In fact, anything more than “yes” or “no” comes from the evil one, revealing the gravity of this issue.
What about swearing on a Bible in court? Jesus was not addressing this kind of situation, which is merely a legal ceremony. Morally and spiritually, we are always obligated to tell “the whole truth and nothing but the truth.”
Donate to Today in the Word: https://give.todayintheword.org/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
