Yes Means Yes

INTRODUCTION

After the Beatitudes, Jesus spends the next section of the Sermon on the Mount focused on one thing — exposition of the law. In this most important sermon, Jesus feels necessary to correct his listeners understanding of Scripture and illuminate for them the true meaning of the law.

Over the last two weeks we’ve read these words from Jesus, “Ye have heard that it hath been said… But I say unto you…” And we’ll actually hear that two more times in Matthew 5.

Tonight’s lesson is very simple and can be summed up in three words — Tell the Truth.

Have you ever heard someone say something to this effect?

I promise…

I swear on my mother’s grave…

I swear on the Bible

As God is my witness

Cross my heart

On my mama

Jesus, in our passage tonight is addressing colloquial oaths in which the Pharisees used that broke God’s law.

LETTER OF THE LAW (vs. 33)

Can someone read Matthew 5:33 for us?

Matthew 5:33 KJV 1900

33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:

Here’s how we would say this verse in today’s English — “You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.”

Can someone think back to the 10 Commandments and tell me which commandment that Jesus is referencing? (there’s not a specific commandment / it’s a trick question)

Actually, Jesus is pulling together several different commands from the Old Testament that the Pharisees had distilled down to one law. Listen to these verses:

Exodus 20:7 KJV 1900

7 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

Leviticus 19:12 KJV 1900

12 And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the Lord.

Numbers 30:2 KJV 1900

2 If a man vow a vow unto the Lord, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.

Deuteronomy 23:21 KJV 1900

21 When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee.

Remember our main point — Tell the Truth.

Here was the practice in Israel’s day (when Moses gave the law) — In Moses’ day, the main problem with the people was their tendency to lie to one another and to deliberately say things that were not true. Also, the people took oaths or swore at many trivial things.

It’d be like saying, I swear to God Almighty that Chick-fil-A sauce is better than honey mustard.

There was no concept for a proper use of oaths. So Moses gave the law — the verses that we just read.

James Montgomery Boice writes, “In Jesus’ day, the taking of oaths had been greatly abused, and it had come about that the practice was actually weakening the cause of the truth rather than contributing to it.

What the Pharisees had done was take the law and “interpret” it for the people. Here’s their interpretation — Do not commit perjury.

Perjury: the offense of willfully telling an untruth in a court after having taken an oath or affirmation.

Think with me… Do you think this interpretation aligned with the spirit of the law?

Martin Lloyd-Jones writes, “The trouble with the Pharisees and scribes was that their attitude was legalistic. They were more concerned about the letter of the law than the spirit.”

What does it mean to be a legalist?

Legalism refers to an overemphasis on rules and rituals for salvation or righteousness, rather than focusing on faith or spiritual growth.

Jesus is directing the eyes of his listeners away from outward religiosity towards inner righteousness.

In plain words — Jesus desires a pure heart before righteous actions.

So what does this law actually mean? What is Jesus trying to help his listeners to understand?

SPIRIT OF THE LAW (vs. 34-37)

Can someone read for us Matthew 5:34-36?

Matthew 5:34–37 KJV 1900

34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: 35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. 36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.

In Jesus’ exposition of the law he leaves us with prohibitions and admonitions.

PROHIBITIONS

Look through those verses again and find the negative words (not, neither, etc.).

Here’s the prohibition. It’s very simple — Do not swear. Do not make oaths. There’s no need.

Later in Matthew, Jesus tears into the Pharisees pronouncing woes or condemnation on them for their oath-taking and swearing (btw, swearing doesn’t mean curse words).

Matthew 23:16–24 KJV 1900

16 Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! 17 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? 18 And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. 19 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? 20 Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. 21 And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. 22 And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon. 23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. 24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

Jesus is trying to get the Pharisees to understand that when they swear by the temple, God, or heaven, that it doesn’t actually mean anything. There’s nothing there to appeal to.

This is why Jesus says in vs. 36 not to swear by your head — you have no control over whether your hair turns grey or not.

There’s nothing to be gained in using oaths and swears. As John Stott writes, “Swearing is really a pathetic confession of our own dishonesty.”

Do not swear. But especially do not swear by the Lord’s name.

Exodus 20:7 KJV 1900

7 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

“Clearly the first thing that our Lord wants to do is to forbid the use of the sacred title always in the matter of swearing or cursing. The name of God and of Christ must never be used in this way.” — Martin Lloyd-Jones

ADMONITIONS

But again, as we’ve learned the last couple of weeks, Jesus’ doesn’t mean for us to simply keep the law. But rather, we are to live in accordance with the spirit of the law. There are prohibitions for sure. But Jesus leaves us with a final admonition.

Matthew 5:37 KJV 1900

37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

Here’s the simple point. Tell the truth. Believers must not lie.

James further drives home this point.

James 5:12 KJV 1900

12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

Believers must be known as men and women of their word in ever conversation, communication, and speech.

Others must have confidence that what we say, we mean.

Jon Stott writes, “Christians should say what they mean and mean what they say.”

There’s no need for swearing or oaths if you are habitually one who tells the truth.

APPLICATION

Now for some application…

How does this apply in our life? (maybe take some answers)

I have two main points of application:

Be trustworthy in your everyday words.

Don’t exaggerate, don’t manipulate. Say what you mean and mean what you say.

Honor God with your speech.

Every word reflects integrity or hypocrisy. Treat your words as if spoken before the Lord.

“We must realize that we are always in the presence of God. Let us remember that everything in our lives and conversation is in his presence, and may indeed be the thing which will determine what others will think of him.” — Martin Lloyd-Jones

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Why do you think people today still feel the need to “swear” (e.g., I swear on the Bible, cross my heart) instead of simply telling the truth?

What does it look like in practical terms for your “yes” to mean yes and your “no” to mean no—in school, work, friendships, or family?

How would our witness as Christians be stronger if people consistently knew they could trust our words?

PRAYER PROMPTS

Pray that God would make us people who are known for truthfulness, so others can trust our words without question.

Ask God to help us avoid careless, exaggerated, or manipulative speech and instead use words that glorify Him.

Pray that our honesty would point people to Jesus, showing that He has changed our hearts.