Matthew 5:33-37 Speak truthfully.

1. Is Jesus forbidding the taking of vows?

   1. Verse 34 would suggest that…

   2. But the Lord's own example denies this.

• Matt 26:63-64

  1. God's own example denies this.

• Ps 132:11; Heb 6:17-18; Luke 1:73

  1. God's commands deny this.

• Lev 7:16; 22:21; 27:2.; Psalm 132:2; Psalm 65:1

  1. Westminster Confession of Faith, chapter 22 "Of Lawful Oaths and Vows."

• The Lord is correcting a distortion of lawful oath taking.

  1. The commandments of the Lord emphasize truthfulness in taking vows.

• Exodus 20:7; Leviticus 19:12

  1. Wrongful oath taking has serious consequences.

• Ecclesiastes 5:4-6; Acts 5:1-11

  1. Oaths should enhance God's respect [Calvin] not profane his holy name.

  2. Insincere oaths take the Lord's name in vain.

• Matthew 23:16-22

1. Speak truthfully. Mean what you say. Say what you mean.

   1. Vows are for "matters of weight and moment (great importance)." (WCF 22.2)

   2. Ordinarily, say "yes" when you mean "yes" and say "no" when you mean "no".

2. John 8:44

   1. What about when you're not sure?

      1. James 1:19; Prov 21:23; Prov 29:20.

   2. Can you ever back out of commitments?

3. Numbers 30

4. Living in truth with one another before God.

   1. Keep your vows. Marriage vows. Baptismal vows. Church membership vows. Honor your contracts.

   2. How God sets the example for us.

• Heb 6:13-14; Heb 7:21; Heb 8:6; Heb 8:10; Heb 8:12

  1. We learn from this:

     1. We must keep our word, just as we expect God to keep his

     2. Be honest at the very beginning.

     3. Stay honest to the very end. Matt 5:37.