KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 5:34 KJV” But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:”

On the sermon on the mount our Lord Jesus treated a number of topics concerning the right ways to live with ourselves, relating to others and also relating rightly to God. The Lord said among the many things that, we should not swear. Swearing is to affirm a statement with an oath. Swearing normally comes from a desperate moment in which an individual seeks to prove the truthfulness of a matter. We find that in our law courts witnesses are made to swear before they make their statement. How is this related to the Lord’s statement, asking us not to swear? I believe the Lord meant in our day-to-day experiences; we must not swear. The Law courts are state authorities that has instituted this mode of giving statements and should be observed as such. The same goes for state offices like the president, vice president and others who have to swear on the Bible, Koran, the cross or any other form of allegiance. The Lord in His teaching was referring to our day-to-day relationship with each other. We must let our yes be yes and no to be no. The Lord said any other thing comes from evil. Matthew 5:37. Most acts of swearing comes with some very dirty words.

During the trial of the Lord Jesus Apostle Peter who decided to get close by, was accused of being one of the disciples of Jesus. Matt 26:74 KJV “Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew”.  Apostle Peter denied his knowledge of the Lord with an oath. He cursed as he denied or defended his position. Peter was desperate at that instant because he feared for his life. Many of us may find ourselves in similar situations, yet we’ve got to know that we have ceased to live for ourselves but unto the Lord.

HOW do we act when lies are spoken about us? The Lord Jesus gave us a perfect example when He was tried before He was crucified. In Matthew 27:11, the Roman governor, asked him, are you the King of the Jews? He answered you have said so. Right after that the chief priest and scribes accused him of various things, yet he did not answer. When Pilate spoke about something which was the truth, He answered and said you say so. When the chief priest spoke about issues that were false, he did not answer. What is the Lord teaching us by His example? Always acknowledge what is truth, but you may not answer to that which is a lie. Don’t fight lies. It is a waste of time. Note that every lie comes from the devil, and a very good response is to ignore him. If you must answer, then tell him what the word of truth says. Choosing to swear would lead to something wrong. You can’t defend truth. Truth is like a lion, and will always defend itself. There is no need to curse and give an oath to prove that what you are saying is truth.

CONFESSION

I keep my yes as yes, and my no as no. I do not attempt in anyway to prove the truth with an oath. I don’t have anything to prove about myself. I live for Jesus and so defend His course alone.

KEY SCRIPTURE

Matthew 5:37 KJV” But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

Matthew 5:36 KJV Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.