Try Not To: Be Unreliable

”Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not beak your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of a Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘yes’ or ‘no’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” (Matthew 5:33-37 NIV).

We talked about being made in the image of GOd. Everything we do should reflect who God is. When we lie or break promises, we are portraying God as a liar. “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” (Numbers 23:19 NIV).

In Matthew 5:34-36, Jesus not to swear at all but especially not by heaven, earth, Jerusalem, or our own heads. This is because, heaven is God’s throne, the earth is God’s footstool, Jerusalem is home to a Great King, and we did not create ourselves.

”Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be?” (Isaiah 66:1 NIV)

”Exalt the Lord our God and worship at His footstool; He is holy.” (Psalms 99:5 NIV)

”But now I have chosen Jerusalem for my Name to be there, and I have chosen David to rule my people Israel.” (2 Chronicles 6:6 NIV)

”Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?” (Luke 12:25)

Simple Response

Jesus wraps up this portion in verse 37 saying that a simple yes or no should be all we need. James and Paul both touch on this.

”Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear – not by heaven or by earth or anything else. All you need to say is a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ Otherwise you will be condemned.” (James 5:12 NIV). Here James repeats what Jesus said in Matthew. He points out that a simple honest answer is the best answer.

”Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasons with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Colossians 4:6 NIV). Paul tells us to speak graciously and kindly. If we speak like this, then we will know if our answer should be yes or no. Try not to be unreliable, instead, be gracious by giving simple and honest answers!