(We are continuing our study of the Sermon on the Mount in learning just Who this Jesus really is.)
Matthew 5:33-37
Jesus continues to speak:
"Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break 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 the 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."
We are warned here to watch our words. Words are powerful; God's Word created everything that exists, and He made us in His own Image. When we make a vow, or swear to something, God holds us to it, even if we forget about it. Ecclesiastes 5:5-6 says, "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 [saying] 'My vow was a mistake.' Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands?" This means that if we carelessly swear to something and forget about it, or change our minds, God will remember it, and not allow what we're working for to succeed.
Our words also have power to build each other up, or to destroy one another. We can speak Truth and contribute value to this world we live in, or we can speak lies and deception and manipulation to tear down our society for our own short term gain. Many times when we are talking, we're not really paying attention to what we're saying, or how we're saying it, and it comes out in a way to tear down or be misunderstood, and hurt or wound and destroy relationships.
The Truth is always the best policy, even when it seems to work against us; it will only be a temporary setback, and turn out in the end to be the best. And we need always to do what we said we will do (see Psalm 15), even when it turns out to cost us more than we anticipated, whether that cost is financial or to save face.
May we always put a guard on our mouths to speak only what God would have us talk about, and avoid all the foolish and evil words that creep in when we're not paying attention.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
