To Tell The Truth

I remember a television show from my childhood that featured three people claiming to be the same person. The celebrity panel would ask questions of each person to try to determine which one was not the imposter. The title of the program was “To Tell The Truth”

In our continuing study, “Inside Out, the Pursuit of Genuine Christianity” we continue with the thought that our righteousness must exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees.

Matthew 5:20 KJV

For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:25 KJV

Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

Jesus has explained that external compliance but internal rebellion is still sin. He exposed the fact that murder and hatred are linked. Last week we saw the association between adultery, lust and fornication - any kind of sexual activity outside the marriage bond.

This morning we are going to discover that God wants us to always keep out word whether or not we have sworn an oath to do so. No matter the circumstances, God wants His children To Tell The Truth.

Don’t Break Your Oath

Matthew 5:33 KJV

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:

matt

FORTH

W. E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger, and William White Jr., Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Nashville, TN: T. Nelson, 1996), 253.

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words Forswear

epiorkeo (ἐπιορκέω, 1964) signifies “to swear falsely, to undo one’s swearing, forswear oneself” (epi, “against,” orkos, “an oath”), Matt. 5:33.¶ Cf. epiorkos, “a perjured person, a perjurer,” 1 Tim. 1:10, “false swearers

W. E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger, and William White Jr., Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Nashville, TN: T. Nelson, 1996), 253.

1 Timothy 1:10 KJV

For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;

FORTH

Swear falsely translates a Greek verb which may mean either “break an oath” or “commit perjury.” This is its only occurrence in the New Testament, and both meanings are possible for the context. A related noun form is used in (TEV “those who … give false testimony”). Translations are divided rather sharply on the meaning. TEV, NEB, NJB have “break promise (or, oath)”; while others go in the direction of “to perjure” (for example, Mft, Phps, “forswear”; NAB “take a false oath”; RSV, AT, GeCL 1st edition “swear falsely”). AB has “make vows rashly.” As one may expect, New Testament scholars are also divided on their interpretation of this verb, though several commentators note that the meaning “break an oath” goes better with the last clause of the verse.1

1 Barclay Moon Newman and Philip C. Stine, A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew, UBS Handbook Series (New York: United Bible Societies, 1992), 143.

lev 1

Leviticus 19:12 KJV

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

W. E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger, and William White Jr., Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Nashville, TN: T. Nelson, 1996), 253.

Someone suggested the top ten lies told in America: 10) Your table will be ready in a minute. 9) One size fits all. 8) This will hurt me more than it hurts you. 7) I’m sorry I’m late; I got stuck in traffic. 6) The check is in the mail. 5) This offer is limited to the first 50 callers. 4) It’s not the money; it’s the principle of the thing. 3) I need just five minutes of your time. 2) I’ll start my diet tomorrow. 1) I’m from the IRS and I’m here to help you. Our culture doesn’t place much value on integrity, but Scripture does.1

1 Robert J. Morgan, Nelson’s Annual Preacher’s Sourcebook, 2004 Edition. (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2004), 132.

Don’t Make An Oath

Matthew 5:34–36 KJV

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

Jesus goes to the heart of the law’s intent regarding oaths when he says that his disciples are not to swear “at all.” This does not mean “profanity” or “cursing” but invoking God’s name, or substitutes for it, to guarantee the truth of what one says. Jesus understands the duplicity of the human heart, for people sometimes invoked an oath in order to conceal an attempt to deceive. By contrast, Jesus’ disciples should be people of such integrity of character and truthfulness of heart that whatever they say is absolutely believable and dependable. A person of integrity is one who in daily conversation is so truthful, dependable, genuine, guileless, and reliable that his or her words are believed without an oath.1

1 Michael J. Wilkins, Matthew, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2004), 247–248.

Don’t swear by God’s creation

Heaven … earth … Jerusalem. The last half of this verse and the first half of verse 35 contain an allusion to , where the Lord declares “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.” Some Jewish teachers taught that an oath was not binding if made in the name of heaven or earth. But Jesus teaches that whether the name of God is used or not, a person has to deal with God when he makes a vow.1

1 Barclay Moon Newman and Philip C. Stine, A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew, UBS Handbook Series (New York: United Bible Societies, 1992), 144.

Isaiah 66:1 KJV

Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: Where is the house that ye build unto me? And where is the place of my rest?

Don’t swear by yourself

  To swear by your head has sometimes been difficult to express. Some translators have said here “Do not even use your own head as authority when you declare something is true” or “When you declare something true, don’t even refer to your head to confirm it.”

For you cannot make one hair black or white reveals that God is called into the situation even when one invokes one’s own head. Even the color of one’s hair is determined by God. The translation can be “you can’t even make one hair change color (from white to black).” The translation should not mean one hair is first made white then black or that some hairs will be made one color and others the other color. Some translations have had to say “because you do not even have enough authority over your head to make one hair white or black (or, to change the color of one hair).”1

1 Barclay Moon Newman and Philip C. Stine, A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew, UBS Handbook Series (New York: United Bible Societies, 1992), 146.

James 5:12 KJV

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.

No oath is in itself simply good, and voluntarily to be used; but only as medicines are, in case of necessity. But to use it ordinarily and indifferently, without being constrained by any cogent necessity, or called to it by any lawful authority, is such a sin as wears off all reverence and dread of the Great God: and we have very great cause to suspect that where his name is so much upon the tongue, there his fear is but little in the heart.1

1 Elliot Ritzema and Elizabeth Vince, eds., 300 Quotations for Preachers from the Puritans, Pastorum Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2013).

Always Tell The Truth

Matthew 5:37 KJV

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

A Believer Should Not Have to Swear To Anything in Order to be Believed

A businessman was traveling on a plane for the first time. He had always been terrified of flying but his next appointment required him to do so. The flight was going well when suddenly the plane shuddered. The pilot came over the intercom and announced that the engines on the right side had stopped so the were making an emergency landing. Shortly there after, another shudder and the pilot announced the other engines had stopped. Everyone was informed to assume the crash position with their head between their knees.

For the first time the businessman felt vulnerable. He had never felt the need to cry out to God but at that moment he did. “God,” he prayed. “ If you will allow me to survive this crash I take a solemn vow to give to charity half of all my possessions.”

Suddenly all four engines began working again and the plane glided smoothly onto the runway. The businessman rushed to disembark.

As he made his way out of the runway area the man who had been seated beside him spoke to him. “Excuse me sir. I am a pastor involved in several charities. I heard your vow to the Lord concerning your possessions. I can guide you in keeping that vow by recommending some outstanding charities that have needs.”

The businessman replied “That won’t be necessary. You see I made a new vow with God. I vowed if I ever got on another plane, He could have it all.”

Proverbs 6:16–17 KJV

These six things doth the Lord hate: Yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood,

Anything Other Than Truth Comes From The Evil One

Matthew 5:37 KJV

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

John 8:44 KJV

Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

During one of his political campaigns, a delegation called on Theodore Roosevelt at his home in Oyster Bay, Long Island. The President met them with his coat off and his sleeves rolled up. "Ah, gentlemen," he said, "come down to the barn and we will talk while I do some work." At the barn, Roosevelt picked up a pitchfork and looked around for the hay. Then he called out, "John, where’s all the hay?"

"Sorry, sir," John called down from the hayloft. "I ain’t have time to toss it back down again after you pitched it up while the Iowa folks were here."

Source: Bits & Pieces, November 12, 1992, pp. 19-20.

What comes out of the mouth comes from the heart. If we have to swear to something in a specific manor in order to be truthful or believable, there is a problem. Lying lips betray a devilish heart. Repent and learn to Tell The Truth from the Inside Out.