Today we make vows of marriage, pledges of allegiance, and take oaths of office or make oaths in court. What would Jesus say about this?
Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, 'YOU SHALL NOT MAKE FALSE VOWS, BUT SHALL FULFILL YOUR VOWS TO THE LORD.' But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is THE CITY OF THE GREAT KING. Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your statement be, 'Yes, yes ' or 'No, no'; anything beyond these is of evil. (Matthew 5:33-37 NASB)
It is not pledging allegiance to a spouse in marriage, or to our country of residence that is wrong here, but the oath-taking using outside superstitious leverage, such as swearing by heaven, or anything on earth, such as our mother’s grave or the hair of our chin. Jesus encourages us to simply tell the truth with a yes or no, rather than add plethoras that are completely irrelevant, as if they somehow create leverage to make our words all the more truthful.
Truth is in short supply in newsmaking, politics, advertising and even some areas of scientific research. Is it any wonder that we live in a skeptical society. But, truth tellers are not always popular either.
They tell the seers, "Stop seeing visions!" They tell the prophets, "Don't tell us what is right. Tell us nice things. Tell us lies. (Isaiah 30:10 NLT)
Even in churches, where truth is valued, pastors are pressured into picking and choosing those parts of the Bible that comfort and avoiding those parts of the Bible that discomfort and call people to repent. Yet, how will true worshipers be led?
But a time is coming, and it is already here! Even now the true worshipers are being led by the Spirit to worship the Father according to the truth. These are the ones the Father is seeking to worship him. (John 4:23 CEV)
Why is truth in such short supply? Can the world accept the truth?
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever--the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. (John 14:16-17 NIV)
How can we know the truth?
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. (John 16:13 ESV)
Is there one sure word of truth that we can trust?
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (John 17:17 KJV)
What did Jesus say about who we should listen to for truth?
“... for this I have come into the world: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.” (John 18:37 NASB)
What causes today’s problems with truth?
But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. (Romans 1:18-20 NLT)
Yes, the evidence for God’s existence is ubiquitous, but many people prefer to live in denial, to live a lie. And what’s the motive? Read the rest of the chapter. It’s quite plain. People want to engage in many different kinds of sin. Yet the sins described in the latter part of the chapter only harm us. What can set us free from this bondage?
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32 NKJV)
Truth is a precious commodity. Don’t be deceived into thinking that lies are profitable. Only the truth can set us free.
