Watch What You Say Matthew 5:33-37

Scripture tells us to guard our mouths.

Scripture tells us to guard our mouths. “Whoever restrains his words has knowledge” (Prov 17:27, ESV).

Scripture tells us to guard our mouths. Prov 17:27. “The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Mt 12:35-37, ESV).

Scripture tells us to guard our mouths. Prov 17:27. Mt 12:35-37. “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger” (Js 1:19, ESV).

Scripture tells us to guard our mouths. Prov 17:27. Mt 12:35-37. Js 1:19, ESV. In this morning’s text, Jesus tells us to guard our mouths.

Matthew 5:33-37

Matthew 5:33-37 A PROCLAMATION A PRONOUNCEMENT A PROFESSION

A Proclamation v 33

“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn’” (v 33, ESV).

God had said not to swear falsely but to do what you said you would do.

God had said not to swear falsely but to do what you said you would do. Jesus doesn’t quote a specific passage of Scripture.

God had said not to swear falsely but to do what you said you would do. Jesus doesn’t quote a specific passage of Scripture, but he combines several passages together.

God had said not to swear falsely but to do what you said you would do. Jesus doesn’t quote a specific passage of Scripture, but he combines several passages together. This was a common teaching method among the rabbis of Jesus’ day.

Two main passages stand behind what Jesus said.

Two main passages stand behind what Jesus said. “You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the LORD” (Lev 19:12, ESV).

Two main passages stand behind what Jesus said. “You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the LORD” (Lev 19:12, ESV). “Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High” (Ps 50:14, ESV).

Two points we need to make about this PROCLAMATION.

First, Jesus says that this was declared “to the ancients.”

First, Jesus says that this was declared “to the ancients.” The point is that this is Scripture.

First, Jesus says that this was declared “to the ancients.” The point is that this is Scripture. Likewise, the Word that we have was “to the ancients.”

First, Jesus says that this was declared “to the ancients.” The point is that this is Scripture. Likewise, the Word that we have was “to the ancients.” It is the Word of God & nothing can (or will) change it.

First, Jesus says that this was declared “to the ancients.” Second, this is the Word of God.

First, Jesus says that this was declared “to the ancients.” Second, this is the Word of God. Jesus is not changing the Law.

First, Jesus says that this was declared “to the ancients.” Second, this is the Word of God. Jesus is not changing the Law. “Whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:19, ESV).

First, Jesus says that this was declared “to the ancients.” Second, this is the Word of God. Jesus is not changing the Law. Mt 5:19. Jesus will (a) Speak of the Law’s true intent & (b) Raise the Law to a new level.

First, Jesus says that this was declared “to the ancients.” Second, this is the Word of God. Jesus is not changing the Law. Mt 5:19. Jesus will (a) Speak of the Law’s true intent & (b) Raise the Law to a new level. But, he cannot encourage the breaking of the Law, for it is the Word of God.

A Pronouncement vv 34-36

“But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.”

Why did Jesus forbid oaths?

Because God had forbidden the taking of his name in vain at Sinai, the Jews were greatly concerned about taking oaths.

Because God had forbidden the taking of his name in vain at Sinai, the Jews were greatly concerned about taking oaths. Therefore, the scribes & Pharisees spelled out precisely what was & was not a binding oath.

Because God had forbidden the taking of his name in vain at Sinai, the Jews were greatly concerned about taking oaths. Therefore, the scribes & Pharisees spelled out precisely what was & was not a binding oath. The oaths Jesus mentions here were not considered all that binding.

Because God had forbidden the taking of his name in vain at Sinai, the Jews were greatly concerned about taking oaths. Therefore, the scribes & Pharisees spelled out precisely what was & was not a binding oath. The oaths Jesus mentions here were not considered all that binding. If you swore by God, you had to keep your oath; but, if you swore by Jerusalem, you weren’t all that bound to keep your word.

“Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred? And if you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath.’ You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? So whoever swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. And whoever swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it. And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him to sits upon it” (Mt 23:16- 22, ESV).

The Jews had also changed the Law from truthfulness in all things to truthfulness in carrying out oaths to God.

The Jews had also changed the Law from truthfulness in all things to truthfulness in carrying out oaths to God. “If a man vows a vow to the LORD, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth” (Num 30:2, ESV).

The Jews had also changed the Law from truthfulness in all things to truthfulness in carrying out oaths to God. “If a man vows a vow to the LORD, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth” (Num 30:2, ESV). The Law taught that whatever one vowed to do, he was to do it.

One dare not swear by heaven, for it is God’s throne.

One dare not swear by heaven, for it is God’s throne. Swearing by heaven is the same as swearing by the God who lives in heaven.

One cannot swear by the earth, for it is the footstool of God’s feet.

One cannot swear by the earth, for it is the footstool of God’s feet. God is the Creator of this world & the earth, therefore, is under his domain.

One cannot swear by the earth, for it is the footstool of God’s feet. God is the Creator of this world & the earth, therefore, is under his domain. Since you & I are powerless to create a world, we dare not swear by the world.

One cannot swear by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.

One cannot swear by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Throughout Matthew, the Evangelist is demonstrating Jesus to be a King.

One cannot swear by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Throughout Matthew, the Evangelist is demonstrating Jesus to be a King. Therefore, we should likely understand the King as a reference to Jesus.

One cannot swear by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Jerusalem is, in many ways, the city of Jesus.

One cannot swear by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Jerusalem is, in many ways, the city of Jesus. It was there he died & was raised—both essential for his Kingship.

One cannot swear by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Jerusalem is, in many ways, the city of Jesus. It was there he died & was raised—both essential for his Kingship. It was there—on the first Pentecost after his Resurrection—that his kingdom came into being.

One cannot swear by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Jerusalem is, in many ways, the city of Jesus. Swearing by the city of the great King would dishonor the great King.

One cannot swear by his head, because he can’t change the color of his hairs.

One cannot swear by his head, because he can’t change the color of his hairs. Most people in Jewish Palestine had dark hard until it turned gray with age.

One cannot swear by his head, because he can’t change the color of his hairs. Most people in Jewish Palestine had dark hard until it turned gray with age. Because we have no power over our head, we cannot swear by it.

Jesus here puts man in his “place.”

Jesus here puts man in his “place.” One cannot swear by things far greater than he.

Jesus here puts man in his “place.” One cannot swear by things far greater than he. One cannot swear by things over which he has no control.

Jesus here puts man in his “place.” One cannot swear by things far greater than he. One cannot swear by things over which he has no control. We aren’t really that powerful.

Jesus here puts man in his “place.” One cannot swear by things far greater than he. One cannot swear by things over which he has no control. We aren’t really that powerful. Therefore, any “oath” we take needs to be by something over which we have power—our own selves.

Is it wrong to take any oath?

Some brethren say it’s wrong to take any kind of oath.

Some brethren say it’s wrong to take any kind of oath Some brethren say it’s wrong to take any kind of oath. But, we have all taken oaths!

Some brethren say it’s wrong to take any kind of oath Some brethren say it’s wrong to take any kind of oath. But, we have all taken oaths! We sign our IRS statements under “penalties of perjury.”

Some brethren say it’s wrong to take any kind of oath Some brethren say it’s wrong to take any kind of oath. But, we have all taken oaths! We sign our IRS statements under “penalties of perjury.” We sign such documents every time we go to the DMV, or vote, or do other similar activities.

Some say that if one “affirms” he isn’t taking an oath.

Some say that if one “affirms” he isn’t taking an oath. The President can say “I do solemnly affirm . . . .” instead of “I do solemnly swear . . . .”

Some say that if one “affirms” he isn’t taking an oath. But, the Greek term means “to take an oath,” not “to use the word swear.”

Some say that if one “affirms” he isn’t taking an oath. But, the Greek term means “to take an oath,” not “to use the word swear.” An oath is an oath whether one swears or affirms.

Some say that if one “affirms” he isn’t taking an oath. But, the Greek term means “to take an oath,” not “to use the word swear.” An oath is an oath whether one swears or affirms. The President-elect takes an “Oath of Office.”

Some say that if one “affirms” he isn’t taking an oath. But, the Greek term means “to take an oath,” not “to use the word swear.” An oath is an oath whether one swears or affirms. The President-elect takes an “Oath of Office.” A witness is “under oath.”

God has sworn.

Several times in the Old Testament God swore & the New Testament repeats those oaths.

Several times in the Old Testament God swore & the New Testament repeats those oaths. “When God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself” (Heb 6:13, ESV).

Several times in the Old Testament God swore & the New Testament repeats those oaths. Heb 6:13. David was “a prophet, and [knew] that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne” (Acts 2:30, ESV).

Several times in the Old Testament God swore & the New Testament repeats those oaths. In Revelation, God sends forth an angel to swear.

In Revelation, God sends forth an angel to swear. Several times in the Old Testament God swore & the New Testament repeats those oaths. In Revelation, God sends forth an angel to swear. “The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven and swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and what is in it, the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it, that there would be no more delay” (Rev 10:5-6, ESV).

If God swears, how can it be wrong to swear?

I’m aware God’s oaths come from the Old Testament, but . . . .

I’m aware God’s oaths come from the Old Testament, but . . . . The oaths in the OT generally have to do with blessings in Christ.

I’m aware God’s oaths come from the Old Testament, but . . . . The oaths in the OT generally have to do with blessings in Christ. Abraham=all peoples will be blessed through Christ.

I’m aware God’s oaths come from the Old Testament, but . . . . The oaths in the OT generally have to do with blessings in Christ. Abraham=all peoples will be blessed through Christ. David=the resurrection of Christ.

I’m aware God’s oaths come from the Old Testament, but . . . . The oaths in the OT generally have to do with blessings in Christ. The moral law of the OT is the same as the moral law of the NT.

I’m aware God’s oaths come from the Old Testament, but . . . . The oaths in the OT generally have to do with blessings in Christ. The moral law of the OT is the same as the moral law of the NT. We no longer follow OT ceremonial law.

I’m aware God’s oaths come from the Old Testament, but . . . . The oaths in the OT generally have to do with blessings in Christ. The moral law of the OT is the same as the moral law of the NT. We no longer follow OT ceremonial law. But, it’s just as wrong to lie or to steal or to murder as it was then.

God does not change.

God does not change. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change” (Js 1:17, ESV).

God does not change. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change” (Js 1:17, ESV). The way man approaches God has changed, but God himself hasn’t.

God does not change. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change” (Js 1:17, ESV). The way man approaches God has changed, but God himself hasn’t. If God in his character was willing to swear in the past, I’m confident he’d be willing to swear now.

If this text isn’t forbidding oaths per se, what is Jesus teaching?

A Profession v 37

“Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil” (v 37, ESV).

Jesus is calling on us to live with such integrity that oaths aren’t necessary.

We are to be people of great integrity.

We are to be people of great integrity. “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Mt 5:16, ESV).

We are to be people of great integrity. Mt 5:16. “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation” (1 Pet 2:12, ESV).

We are also to be people of truth.

We are also to be people of truth. “Having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another” (Eph 4:25, ESV).

We are also to be people of truth. Eph 4:25. “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator” (Col 3:9-10, ESV).

If we are people of integrity & of truth, a simply “Yes” or “No” is sufficient.

If we are people of integrity & of truth, a simply “Yes” or “No” is sufficient. “O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart” (Ps 15:1-2, ESV).

If we are people of integrity & of truth, a simply “Yes” or “No” is sufficient. “O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart” (Ps 15:1-2, ESV). How much do you speak truth in your heart?