everything. By this time I was hiding behind my monitor quaking red-faced. I started to type, "Leave me alone!" They both jumped back, silenced. "What?!" exclaimed the teacher. I typed, "I said leave me alone!" The kid got real upset. "I didn't do anything to it, I swear!" It was all I could do to keep from laughing out loud. This conversation between them and HAL 2000 went on for an amazing five minutes. Me: "Don't touch me!" Her: "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hit your keys that hard." Me: "Who do you think you are anyway?!" etc. Finally, I couldn't contain myself any longer and fell out of my chair laughing. After they had realized what I had done, they both turned beet red. Funny, I never got more than a C- in that class.
B. One commentator begins his interpretation of this passage by speaking of profanity
1. But this may not be the proper interpretation
a. However, this is a good place to begin
b. Lets break down this passage as follows
(1) The law (v.33)
(2) The real meaning: do not swear (v.34-36)
(3) The ideal oath or guarantee (v.37).
c. Lets turn to Matthew 5:33 to begin
II. Body
A. The Law
Matthew 5:33 (NKJV)
"Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.'
1. Our commentator says that there are 6 type of swearing
(1) Turn to Matthew 26:63
b. First, There is swearing by oaths
(1) Jesus was put upon His oath
Matthew 26:63 (NKJV)
But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, "I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!"
(a) Now turn to 2 Corinthians 1:23
(2) Paul swore by taking an oath
2 Corinthians 1:23 (NKJV)
Moreover I call God as witness against my soul, that to spare you I came no more to Corinth.
(3) What then does Christ mean by saying, "Swear not at all"?
(a) Simply that a man's word should be trustworthy in his day to day speech, so trustworthy that no oath is ever necessary. His character should be his guarantee, the only guarantee he needs
c. A second explanation is also possible
(1) Men are evil, so untrustworthy in their day to day dealings that worldly men require oaths
(2) Thus, Paul and Christ were required to take oaths
(3) However, as stated before, the believer's word and character should be his bond
(a) Turn to Romans 3:10
2. Second, there is habitual, frivolous swearing
a. The unrighteous are said to have "mouths full of cursing and bitterness"
Romans 3:10 (NKJV)
As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one;
Romans 3:14 (NKJV)
"Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness."
(1) Turn to James 3:9-10
3. Third, there is hypocritical swearing
a. There are some who "bless God" in one breath and turn around and "curse men" in the next breath.
James 3:9-10 (NKJV)
With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. {10} Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so
b. Turn to Ecclesiastes 7:22
4. Fourth, there is silent, universal swearing
a. Every man is charged with secretly cursing others within his heart
Ecclesiastes 7:22 (NKJV)
For many times, also, your own heart has known That even you have cursed others.
5. Fifth, there is evasive swearing
a. Some do not use words that are foul, dirty, ugly, harsh, or binding
b. They would never use God's name in vain
c. Rather, they choose substitute words-words that are commonly used in everyday conversation, words that would never be considered swearing
d. Others choose what are thought to be milder curse words
e. By evading harsh swearing, they feel their word is not so binding. They count themselves less guilty.
6. Sixth. There is ego swearing
a. Many swear to boost their ego, their manliness around others
b. They feel an identity with the crowd by crossing over to the forbidden
(1) Back to Matthew 5:33
B. The Law of oaths
Matthew 5:33 (NKJV)
"Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.'
a. Lets turn to Exodus 20:7
2. This law was based on the third commandment
Exodus 20:7 (NKJV)
"You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
a. Turn to Leviticus 19:12
Leviticus 19:12 (NKJV)
'And you shall not swear by My name falsely, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the LORD
b. Turn to Deuteronomy 23:23
Deuteronomy 23:23 (NKJV)
"That which has gone from your lips you shall keep and perform, for you voluntarily vowed to the LORD your God what you have promised with your mouth
3. The law had been interpreted to say, “Do not blaspheme the name of God,” "Do not make false vows"; "Do not swear falsely"; "Do not swear to a lie."
a. But the law was much too narrow
b. Man had interpreted it to his own liking which allowed him to swear and curse as much as he wished
c. Note two significant points about the law
(1) God gave the law to men for several reasons
(a) To keep man from dishonoring God by falsely calling upon His name or by cursing Him
(b) To keep man from perjuring himself, showing himself to be a liar and an unjust and unstable person
(c) To keep man from treating others unjustly
(2) The law was given to govern several things
(a) Lying and then swearing that one is telling the truth
i) This is perjury
ii) How often men perjure themselves, stretching the truth, exaggerating, or lying outrightly, and then swear that they are telling the truth!
(b) Making a false vow to God
i) How many vows have been made to God and never kept!
ii) Making a false vow to another person, promising something and not doing it
iii) Using God's name in vain
iv) So many use God's name as a slang or curse word
v) This person will stand especially guilty before God
a) Lets turn to Ecclesiastes 5:4-5
4. Scripture says that it is better not to vow than to vow and not pay
Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 (NKJV)
When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed; {5} Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.
a. The reason is clearly understood: a vow makes a person a debtor
(1) The person is in debt to fulfill his vow or promise
(a) Turn to Acts 5:3-5
(2) A vow to God puts the man in debt to God. To break a vow is an act of lying to God
(a) You might remember the story in the Acts about Ananias and Sapphira. They sold a piece of property and brought some of the money to the disciples, saying that what they were giving was all they had gotten, even though they kept part back. Peter caught the lie and said, here in Acts 5:3-5
Acts 5:3-5 (NKJV)
But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? {4} "While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." {5} Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things.
(3) A vow to man puts the man in debt to man
i) Turn to Numbers 30:2
(b) To break his vow is an act of injustice to man
Numbers 30:2 (NKJV)
"If a man makes a vow to the LORD, or swears an oath to bind himself by some agreement, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth
i) Turn to Matthew 5:34-36
C. The real meaning of the law is this: swear not at all; curse not at all
Matthew 5:34-36 (KJV)
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.
1. Do not swear or curse by anything.
a. Swear not, because all things are sacred
b. Heaven is God's throne: the place where His glory is manifested
(1) To swear by heaven or to curse heaven is to swear by God and to curse God.
c. The earth is God's footstool: the place He governs and looks over
(1) To swear by earth or to curse earth is to swear by God and to curse God
d. Jerusalem is the city of the great King
(1) He cares deeply for Jerusalem
(2) There is a sense in which God cares deeply for every city and place on earth
(3) He cares about how a place is treated and how it is spoken about
e. Swear not, because all power belongs to God
(1) In reality, no man has any power to do anything; for example, he cannot change his stature
(2) What power he has is given by God
(3) In fact, the power man thinks he has can be taken away at any moment
(4) Therefore, he really does not have the power to keep oaths
(5) He can be disabled or snatched away at any moment
(6) The recognition of this reality should cause a man to live so honestly and straightforwardly that his word alone is acceptable
(7) Oaths and vows should not be necessary
2. All power belongs to God; therefore, a man should stand in awe of God, not curse Him
(1) Turn back to Exodus 20:7
b. But observe what it is that is usually cursed: God and the things of God, the very things that should not be cursed
c. This says much about the selfish, depraved nature of man
d. Cursing God is a terrible sin, so terrible that it is one of the ten commandments
e. A special judgment is even pronounced upon the curser
f. Cursing is meaningless, thoughtless, and irreverent
Exodus 20:7 (NKJV)
"You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
3. Cursing has no mask; it cannot be hidden
a. It is spoken and heard
b. The problem is that it is often considered acceptable conversation, and cursing is a problem, for it reveals several things:
(1) A graceless heart
(2) An inconsiderate and selfish spirit
(3) A problem with self-image
(4) A lack of individuality and/or independence
(5) A thoughtless mind
(6) A hardness or enmity toward God
(7) An inadequate vocabulary
(8) A foolish disregard for judgment and eternity
(a) Lets turn to Matthew 5:37
4. There are differences of opinion about legal oaths
a. Some believe they should never take an oath even for the sake of justice (for example, the Quakers)
b. Others feel they can be called upon to swear for the sake of justice; but they should never swear of themselves, that is, take the initiative in verifying their word
D. There is only one ideal oath and guarantee for man: his word
Matthew 5:37 (NKJV)
"But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one
1. His word should arises from his character
a. It should be the only oath and guarantee he needs
b. He should not say more than, "Yes, I will...." or "No, I will not."
c. His Me should be so honest and straight that no one would ever question his word
d. When he speaks, everyone should know that it will be done
e. The reason is simply stated: swearing has its source in evil
f. Something that is often overlooked is this fact: swearing and cursing do not make a matter more believable; they really make a matter more suspicious
(1) Turn to Colossians 4:6
g. A person swears something because his character or the matter is questionable
h. What an indictment of depravity!
i. Yet swearing and cursing are the acceptable habits of men
Colossians 4:6 (NKJV)
Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
2. Oaths are required for one reason: men know the deceitfulness of the human heart
3. Oaths would not be necessary in a perfect world
a. Everyone would be perfectly honest and righteous.
b. A man's life would speak loudly and clearly
c. Whatever a man said would be absolutely dependable
d. Therefore, believers should work to change the world by changing the hearts of men
e. If you say it, it should be an accomplished fact
(1) Turn back to Matthew 5:21 - 22
E. These last three lessons give by the Savior deal with His redefinition of the LAW
1. First the LAW of murder
Matthew 5:21-22 (NKJV)
"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.' {22} "But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire
a. Go down to Matthew 5:27-28
2. The Second LAW of adultery
Matthew 5:27-28 (NKJV)
"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultery.' {28} "But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
a. And go on down to Matthew 5:33-34
3. The Third LAW of oaths
Matthew 5:33-34 (NKJV)
"Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.' {34} "But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God's throne;
4. We will go on to the last two LAWS in the weeks to come
a. But the one thing I want you to consider is how Jesus redefined the LAW
b. Its not so much what we do
c. Its the attitude with which we do it
5. Righteousness has everything to do with attitudes
a. Yes, it is what we do
b. But it also includes why we do it
