Two Types of Communication to Avoid

Matthew 5:33–37 (NLT)

33 “You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’

34 But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne.

35 And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King.

36 Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black.

37 Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.

33 Πάλιν ἠκούσατε ὅτι ἐρρέθη τοῖς ἀρχαίοις· Οὐκ ἐπιορκήσεις, ἀποδώσεις δὲ τῷ κυρίῳ τοὺς ὅρκους σου.

34 ἐγὼ δὲ λέγω ὑμῖν μὴ ὀμόσαι ὅλως· μήτε ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ, ὅτι θρόνος ἐστὶν τοῦ θεοῦ·

35 μήτε ἐν τῇ γῇ, ὅτι ὑποπόδιόν ἐστιν τῶν ποδῶν αὐτοῦ· μήτε εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα, ὅτι πόλις ἐστὶν τοῦ μεγάλου βασιλέως·

36 μήτε ἐν τῇ κεφαλῇ σου ὀμόσῃς, ὅτι οὐ δύνασαι μίαν τρίχα λευκὴν ποιῆσαι ἢ μέλαιναν.

37 ἔστω δὲ ὁ λόγος ὑμῶν ναὶ ναί, οὒ οὔ· τὸ δὲ περισσὸν τούτων ἐκ τοῦ πονηροῦ ἐστιν.

INTRODUCTION:

I- VOWS TO GOD (Matthew 5:33-34)

Matthew 5:33–34 (NLT)

33 “You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’

34 But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne.

A- Vows and promises made to God are serious commitments and are to be fulfilled. (Matthew 5:33)

Matthew 5:33 (NLT)

33 “You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’

33 Πάλιν ἠκούσατε ὅτι ἐρρέθη τοῖς ἀρχαίοις· Οὐκ ἐπιορκήσεις, ἀποδώσεις δὲ τῷ κυρίῳ τοὺς ὅρκους σου.

1- What are vows?

a- ὅρκους = “to swear, to make an oath” , to promise solemnly

2- The seriousness of vows made in scripture:

(Num. 30:2)

Numbers 30:2 (NLT)

2 A man who makes a vow to the Lord or makes a pledge under oath must never break it. He must do exactly what he said he would do.

a- Hannah vowed to God to give back the male child he would give her. (1 Samuel 1:10-11, 19-28)

1 Samuel 1:10–11 (NLT)

10 Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord.

11 And she made this vow: “O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the Lord, his hair will never be cut.”

1 Samuel 1:19–28 (NLT)

19 The entire family got up early the next morning and went to worship the Lord once more. Then they returned home to Ramah. When Elkanah slept with Hannah, the Lord remembered her plea,

20 and in due time she gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, “I asked the Lord for him.”

21 The next year Elkanah and his family went on their annual trip to offer a sacrifice to the Lord and to keep his vow.

22 But Hannah did not go. She told her husband, “Wait until the boy is weaned. Then I will take him to the Tabernacle and leave him there with the Lord permanently.”

23 “Whatever you think is best,” Elkanah agreed. “Stay here for now, and may the Lord help you keep your promise.” So she stayed home and nursed the boy until he was weaned.

24 When the child was weaned, Hannah took him to the Tabernacle in Shiloh. They brought along a three-year-old bull for the sacrifice and a basket of flour and some wine.

25 After sacrificing the bull, they brought the boy to Eli.

26 “Sir, do you remember me?” Hannah asked. “I am the very woman who stood here several years ago praying to the Lord.

27 I asked the Lord to give me this boy, and he has granted my request.

28 Now I am giving him to the Lord, and he will belong to the Lord his whole life.” And they worshiped the Lord there.

B- Vows and promises are not to be used to bargain with God . (Matthew 5:34 a)

Matthew 5:34 (NLT)

34 But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne.

34 ἐγὼ δὲ λέγω ὑμῖν μὴ ὀμόσαι ὅλως· μήτε ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ, ὅτι θρόνος ἐστὶν τοῦ θεοῦ·

1- Many people use vows and promises to try to manipulate God into fulfilling their desires.

a- I have hear some people attempt to make deals with God during crises and sickness.

(Prov. 20:25)

Proverbs 20:25 (NLT)

25 Don’t trap yourself by making a rash promise to God and only later counting the cost.

2- It is dangerous to fail to fulfill a promise made to God.

(Eccles. 5:5)

Ecclesiastes 5:5 (NLT)

5 It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it.

a- Jonah promised to fulfill his vows to God (Jonah 2:7-10)

Jonah 2:7–10 (NLT)

7 As my life was slipping away, I remembered the Lord. And my earnest prayer went out to you in your holy Temple.

8 Those who worship false gods turn their backs on all God’s mercies.

9 But I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise, and I will fulfill all my vows. For my salvation comes from the Lord alone.”

10 Then the Lord ordered the fish to spit Jonah out onto the beach.

II- OATHS TO MEN (Matthew 5:35-37)

(Matthew 5:34 b)

Matthew 5:34 (NLT)

34 But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne.

Matthew 5:35–37 (NLT)

35 And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King.

36 Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black.

37 Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.

A- Using oaths to strengthen your case is foolish. (Matthew 5:34-36)

Matthew 5:34–36 (NLT)

34 But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne.

35 And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King.

36 Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black.

1- You have no authority in heaven to bring something to pass.

2- You have no power on earth to bring it to pass.

3- You have no authority over yourself to bring it to pass.

B- Keep your communication simple. (Matthew 5:37)

Matthew 5:37 (NLT)

37 Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.

1- Oaths do not give anything greater authority than simple truth does.

2- Simple yes or no answers based upon scripturally-based convictions and Godly living are all that is necessary.

C- Keep your communication sanctified.

1- God expects us to use our words properly. (Proverbs 6:16-19; 10:11, 19-21; 11:13; 16:27-30; 17:27-28)

Proverbs 6:16–19 (NLT)

16 There are six things the Lord hates— no, seven things he detests:

17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent,

18 a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong,

19 a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family.

Proverbs 10:11 (NLT)

11 The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions.

Proverbs 10:19–21 (NLT)

19 Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.

20 The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless.

21 The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense.

Proverbs 11:13 (NLT)

13 A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.

Proverbs 16:27–30 (NLT)

27 Scoundrels create trouble; their words are a destructive blaze.

28 A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.

29 Violent people mislead their companions, leading them down a harmful path.

30 With narrowed eyes, people plot evil; with a smirk, they plan their mischief.

Proverbs 17:27–28 (NLT)

27 A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.

28 Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.

(James 3:6-12)

James 3:6–12 (NLT)

6 And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.

7 People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish,

8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison.

9 Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God.

10 And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!

11 Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water?

12 Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.

2- Communication is to be used to build others up, not tear them down. (Ephesians 4:29-32)

Ephesians 4:29–32 (NLT)

29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.

32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Conclusion: