The Book of Proverbs
Part 11
An Honest Heart
The Night that 7 million American children disappeared…
“The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.”
-Proverbs 12:22
“The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.”
[Deceitfulness; Double-dealing]
-Proverbs 11:3
Jesus Loves Honest Hearts
“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.’ 34 BUT I tell you, do NOT swear an oath at all…”37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”
-Matthew 5:33-37
It’s my opinion that some wrongly become legalistic about making and keeping oaths
Jesus is warning about using flippant oaths, like "I cross my heart and hope to die,” or, “I swear to God it’s true” He is not talking about well thought-out promises, like legal contracts.
In my opinion the following are times when a person may go back on a promise or an oath
When making the vow under coercion.
(Whether you were aware of it at the time of not.)
Were you deceived, defrauded, duped?
When making the vow in the emotion of the moment.
Promises made to someone who is dying.
(They can easily come under the headings of coercion or in the emotion of the moment)
When circumstances change.
It might be impossible to fulfill certain promises.
When you discover that it was a mistake, or possibly a sin.
Don’t be Legalistic about Promises and Oaths
Jesus’ point was to be known as an person with an honest heart that doesn’t need to be swearing that everything we say is true.
All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”
-Matthew 5:37
Oaths are a common part of biblical religion
They are used to confirm commitments,
Abraham swore an oath of covenant with Abimelech (Gen. 21:22–34).
God also swore to Abraham that he would keep his covenant promises (Heb. 6:13–20).
Religious Vows/Oaths today
Baptisms
Confirmations
Weddings
Ordinations
Installations
Jesus used a common oath form himself
He swore that what he said was true and would definitely take place
After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.”
-John 13:21
[Judas]
Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!”
-John 13:38
[Peter]
Jesus swore to the truth that salvation and forgiveness comes only from him
“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.”
-John 5:24
“Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life.”
-John 6:47
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
-John 3:3
Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.”
- John 6:53
“Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.”
-John 16:20
Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
– Luke 23:43
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
–John 14:1-3
Jesus is coming back.
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
-John 16:33
Everything is going to be O.K.
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