Swearing Series

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)