Oaths: Matthew 5:33-37

Intro: Inside then outside

NOT behaviour modification but heart transformation

example-squirrels with bird feeder-they will keep on trying, just like our sinful hearts. must have a transformed heart. Unlike the squirrel, God has given us the Holy Spirit to cause heart transformation.

Text: Matthew 5:33-37

Matthew 5:33–37 NIV

“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

Why Oaths? What were they?

In our culture, we seldom use oaths. maybe in court, maybe in jest as we tell a story, but for the most part, we don’t use or hear about them. But in the ancient world they were more common and served a real purpose.

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Overview

Oaths functioned at the religious, legal, and individual levels as a means of binding the oath taker to his or her word. Oaths were used to confirm the truthfulness of an individual’s word, bind individuals in a contract, or confirm God’s intent to act according to His word. Oaths imposed a great sense of obligation among ancient Israelites; breaking an oath was virtually unthinkable (Zeigler, Promises to Keep, 47–48).

God with Abraham-promise of descendants

Jacob and Esau-birthright

Rahab and spies

Oaths were about securing the truthfulness of the oath giver. Truth is what was at stake. We may not take oaths in our culture, but we do need to be people of truth. Our speech matters. Our words matter.

This text answers the question:

What does the misue of oaths reveal reveal about our hearts?

1. They lower God’s bar

-they move the goalposts

Oaths were not the problem, it was they way they were used.

Using oaths as a way to skirt the truth, even deceive

-instead of be trustworthy, they were used as a way to go back on your word

DA Carson-pg 50-51-spoiling of oaths

2. They are deceived

-see swearing as something that God will not take notice of if broken.

Jeremiah 17:9

forget that all that we do is in God’s sight. Words matter

this goes back to the inside outside line.

we swear on things and go back on our word and forget that God sees and cares

What kind of speech does Jesus commend?

Because we are to imitate our Father in everything, our speech falls into this category. Jesus’ words speak to us being ‘pure in heart.’ Being

Honest

in practical day to day life,

Trustworthy

again, oaths weren’t bad. it was their use of them. But Jesus’ teaching is that the child of God should have no need of them. Their words should be

James 5:12 (NIV)

All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.