Lesson 9, Vows, Oaths, Swearing

Sunday School Lesson for the Adult Class

Witnessing as Jesus and the Bible instructs us to witness

IX. Mean exactly what you say                                    Matthew 5:33 – 37

          A. Jesus again reminds them of the law             Matthew 5:33, Numbers 30

Jesus follows the pattern he speaks in previously. First he mentions the law, then he brings about his way that deals with the heart and conscience.

          B. Jesus commands us not to swear seemingly contrary to Old Testament law   Matthew 5:34

          C. Jesus tells them plainly not to swear by anything Matthew 5:35, 36

Jesus makes the case that whatever we swear by, it is not truly ours to give or even change. To swear by anything is pointless if we are not in a position to do anything about it. Also, a Christian should not need to swear by anything because everyone should know that a Christian’s word is exactly what they will perform.

If you swear or make any kind of oath, is it any different than if you say something and perform task to the best of your ability as you said you would? Isn’t this about matching words with deeds?

          D. Any promise other than to say yes or no is invite sin        Matthew 5:37

It is human to desire to convey how earnest we feel about performing a task we say we will perform whether keeping a secret or doing a favor. In the end though, to say yes or no and perform it just that way is the best thing we can do to show our word is true like God’s word.

         

I believe (the Great Commission in Matthew Chapter 10) that Christians are better to suited to witness when they have been taught to witness; not to go uninformed of God’s word.