What is Your Promise Worth?
Standards of Christian Living – Part IV
Watch Who You Listen To
If you ever think that Jesus was merely a prophet or messenger like Moses, Elijah, or others, the Sermon on the Mount shows that He is more. There, we see Jesus not simply reminding us of Old Testament laws, but adding to them. Only He, as the Son of God, could do this—a messenger or prophet could not.
God made this distinction clear at the Mount of Transfiguration when Peter placed Moses and Elijah on equal footing with Jesus. God responded:
“...This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”
— Matthew 17:5
God was making it clear that Jesus stands in a category by Himself—that we are to listen to Him above Moses, Elijah, or anyone else. The writer of Hebrews further illuminates this distinction:
“Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house,” bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future. “But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house.”
— Hebrews 1:5–6 NIV
Notice the distinction. First, Moses is a servant; Jesus is the Son. Second, Moses is a servant in God’s house; Jesus is the Son over God’s house. Jesus is over the house—He is the master of the house.
I begin with this introduction to reinforce the point that we must listen to what Jesus said above all else, and as a segue into the topic of this post.
In Matthew 5:33–37, Jesus addressed the topic of oath-taking, or swearing. He began by saying:
“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.’ But I say to you, do not swear at all…”
— verse 33–34
He then went on to say not to swear by heaven, because it is God’s throne; or by the earth, because it is God’s footstool; or by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King — verse 34. Swearing is taking an oath in which you commit yourself to do something.
So when Jesus said, “do not swear at all…,” was He making a sweeping, blanket statement against taking oaths?
People take oaths for different reasons, and they are required in some situations. Politicians—presidents, governors, judges—take oaths before they can assume office. If you go before a judge, you’re required to swear that you’ll tell the truth. If you weren’t born a citizen, you’re required to take an oath of citizenship to become a naturalized citizen. Even when you get married, you take an oath of fidelity to your spouse. There are other situations where oath-taking is required.
Since we are required to take oaths in these situations, are we violating this command when we do? Before we can understand what Jesus was saying, it’s important that we first understand what He wasn’t saying.
What Swearing Really Means
First, swearing in this context is not referring to “swear words”—profanities, obscenities, or curse words that are considered offensive or vulgar. Scripture addresses that separately. The Bible says in Ephesians 4:29:
“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” — NLT
“Watch your talk! No bad words should be coming from your mouth. Say what is good. Your words should help others grow as Christians.” — NLV
“Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you.” — GNT
You may know some of the swear words, and if you are a Christian, you shouldn’t be using them. I see some Christians use them, and it’s unfortunate—they are no-nos.
Second, not all swearing or oath-taking is sinful. Jesus Himself responded in the affirmative when the high priest put Him under oath during His trial:
“...I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!”
— Matthew 26:63
Later, and although not in a positive light, the apostle Peter swore and called curses on himself when he denied Jesus and said:
“...I do not know the Man!”
In the book of Hebrews, we even see God Himself swear for different reasons, such as when He swore that Jesus Christ is High Priest forever:
“...The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind:
‘You are a priest forever.’”
— Hebrews 7:21 NIV
The Danger of Careless Promises
Now that we see there are legitimate reasons to swear or take an oath—and that swearing here is not about using cuss words—let me unpack what I believe Jesus was saying.
I believe He was calling out situations where people carelessly make promises without giving much thought, or any thought at all, to whether they’ll be able to perform them.
Sometimes people make promises they already know they do not intend to keep. I believe it’s wrong for anyone to do this. Any true Christian would never do this.
Other times, people make promises they genuinely want to keep, but life intrudes and they cannot keep them, no matter how hard they try.
When you bind yourself with an oath, you not only obligate yourself to the person you made the promise to—you also make yourself accountable to God. This is what Ecclesiastes was warning about:
“When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, ‘My vow was a mistake.’ Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands?”
— Ecclesiastes 5:4–6 NIV
Promises Beyond Your Control
Jesus hinted at another reason not to swear or take an oath when He said:
“Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black.”
— Matthew 5:36
He was pointing out that many things in life are not within our control. Just as you cannot make one hair white or black, there are circumstances that may prevent you from fulfilling a promise, even if you sincerely want to. For that reason, even when promises don’t involve oath-taking, they should never be made carelessly.
This brings us to the final thing Jesus said we should do:
“...let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.”
— verse 37
Jesus wants us not only to avoid making promises carelessly or falsely, but to fulfill them when we do make them—when we say yes. Scripture says that the one who may dwell on God’s holy hill is the one:
“...who keeps an oath even when it hurts,
and does not change their mind;”
— Psalms 15:4 NIV
A promise means nothing if you don’t keep it—and it means just as little if you become known as someone who breaks their word. If you identify as a Christian, you dishonor God when you do.
In my next post, I will unpack Matthew 5:38–42, the next “You have heard…” / “But I say to you…” combo. God bless, and stay tuned.
To access the previous teachings of this series, please click below:
Part III: God Deals With the World As Is