Should a Christian Swear?

Should A Christian Swear?

Some may wonder about this question as being very obvious and needing no explanation at all. Of course “Swearing” and “Cursing” are not the same thing. If someone is using profanity or better described as ‘cursing’ this is condemned by the New Testament in many places ( Phil 4:8, Eph. 5:4, Matt 12:34). But we will deal with the topic of swearing as described to proclaiming truth such as in a court of law.

Matthew 5:33-37

33.  Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:

34. But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:

35. Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

36. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.

37. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

Ex. 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

Matthew 26:69-74

69. Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.

70. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.

71. And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.

72.  And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.

73.  And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.

74. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

I. SWEARING (Matt. 5:33-37; Exo. 20:7; Matt. 26:74)

To “swear,” according to Webster, means: (1) To declare solemnly in the name of God, or of someone or something held sacred: (2) To pledge or vow under oath: and (3) To use profane or blasphemous language: to curse.

In His “Sermon on the Mount,” Jesus gave the subject full coverage, beginning with “forswearing,” which means to swear falsely, or to commit perjury. “Perjury” is breaking a legitimate oath or promise: and in law, willfully telling a lie while under oath to tell the truth. Jesus forbade forswearing, of course, going on to say that a reverent appeal to God as a witness to the truth of words being spoken, or to the validity of a business transaction, was sufficient. If one has a reputation for honesty, his yes or no (yea, or nay) is all that is necessary. In legal matters where the law requires an “oath” (in the United States at least), one may request to affirm rather than swear. Webster notes that some may swear by “someone or something held sacred,” such as God, Christ, heaven, earth, Jerusalem, or one’s own head, as Jesus designates. He says it becomes “evil” to go beyond the yea or nay. He indicates that the ultimate solution is, “Swear not at all.”

The matter of oath-taking for lodge membership is just another objection to belonging to a lodge, especially since the obligation usually entails wrongdoing.

The Third Commandment: Taking the Lord’s name in vain includes all that has been said previously on “swearing,” but it also forbids using God’s name profanely. It is not to be used in relation to secular matters or in any irreverent way. “In vain” would be without legitimate, relative purpose. Matthew Henry says that can be done: (1) By using God’s name hypocritically; (2) by covenant-breaking; or (3) by using His name carelessly, profanely, or vulgarly.

The last “vain” use is usually called cursing. However, cursing may mean blasphemously calling down a curse, an evil, or an injury upon someone “in the name of” God. This might be done in sorcery or witchcraft.

In Peter’s denial of Christ and that he was one of His disciples, he first “denied with an oath:” then he “began to curse (profanity) and swear.” Some hold that he “wished a curse on himself” if he were not telling the truth-which indeed he was not! Adam Clarke says the proper reading should be, “He began positively to affirm” that he did not know Christ. Whatever the meaning, it stands as a warning not to curse, swear, or lie, lest “the crowing of the cock” should find us backslidden! Thank God, Jesus knew in advance what Peter was going to do. Somewhat “out of the blue,” He had said to the apostle:

“…Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

“But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren” (Luke 22:31, 32).

Jesus had already prayed that Peter’s faith would not utterly fail. However. He knew that Peter would go so far that he would need to be “converted.” Certainly Jesus’ prayer was answered when “Peter went out, and wept bitterly” (Luke 22:62). It was a “narrow escape,” and, sad to say, all do not find that “way of escape” which God makes for those who are tempted! (See 1 Corinthians 10:12, 13.)

In the Book of Hebrews, the writer deals with swearing and states that the only person who can guarantee anything without fail is God.

Hebrews 6:13-19

13.  For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,

14. Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.

15. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

16. For men verily swear by the greater (by God): and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.

17. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:

18. That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

19. Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

And James tells us that we are to say, “Lord willing,” about plans for they can be changed by many circumstance out of our control (James 4:13-17). When people swear to G-D it is an indication the vast majority of the time that they are actually lying, and have trouble with telling the truth, and being believed by the parties they are attempting to convince of their story.

If you have never accepted or if you have fallen away from Jesus Christ here are three steps you need to take to be saved:

You must admit you are a sinner, confess your sin to Jesus, repent (turn from all you know is wrong), ask Jesus to come in your heart, and begin to follow Jesus by reading and obeying his word and go to a bible believing church that teaches his word. And tell someone what Christ Jesus Has Done For You (Rev 12:10)  

May God through Christ bless you!

If you enjoyed this blogpost and believe some else can be helped and may be blessed pass it along:

https://prayerchangesthings8.blogspot.com/

If you have a prayer request or have questions that need clarification please contact me at: neverstoppraying8@gmail.com

Understanding Freemasonry by Jeremiah Films

Should a Christian Belong to a Lodge?

Masonic Lodge

SHOULD A CHRISTIAN BELONGING TO LODGES?

Lodges, in general, attempt to justify their existence by stressing the “good” they do. But there are many charitable organizations that do most, if not all, of the things that lodges do, and they require no membership pledges, or oaths. Most lodges have religious overtones, not all of which are true to the Bible. No doubt the enemy of men’s souls enjoys these “good works” overtures, since they tend to provide a substitute for the charitable works the churches do. At the very best, this strategy has the tendency to make their existence acceptable in the public eye.

In Paul’s second letter to the church at Corinth, he sets forth a principle that, if taken seriously, forbids the involvement of Christians in activities of this nature. While lodges, or guilds, may not have been specifically in mind, it is certain that all such are included in his admonition:

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing: and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty (EL SHADDAI)” (2 Cor. 6:14-18).

The word “yoked” needs attention, since in this context it means more that simply being “harnessed together” cooperatively. Webster says it also means “subjection; bondage; servitude; enslavement.” This would involve obligation to honor a promise or agreement, which, of course, is commendable where the cause is open and acceptable; but lodges require an oath of allegiance to their secret order or fraternity and whatever it stands for.

As a rule, lodge membership is open to anyone who will subscribe to their oath; whether Christians, Jews, Mohammedans, Hindus, or whatever: atheists as well as professed believers in God. This is clearly a “yoke” of believers with unbelievers; righteousness with unrighteousness: light with darkness: Christ with Belial; believers with infidels; the temple of God with idols. The Scriptures call for separation-” Come out from among them, and be ye separate, the inference is that God will not be our Father unless we do this.

 “...I spake openly [publicly] to the world; I ever taught in the synagogues, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing” (John 18:20).

Jn 12:46: I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

Isa 29:15 Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?

Ephesians 5:11-13

11. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

12. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

13. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

Act 26:26: For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.

I. LODGES-SECRET ORDERS (John 18:20; 12:46; Isa. 29:15; Eph. 5:11-13;Acts 26:26)

God is Light: The Apostle John had much to say about LIGHT as opposed to DARKNESS. In his Gospel, chapter 1, verses 4 through 14, he introduces Jesus as “the true Light” which shone in darkness but was not comprehended, or understood. One marginal reading uses “apprehended” instead of “comprehended,” meaning that men of darkness did not lay hold of that Light. Later, Jesus Himself, said unbelievers are “condemned already.. .And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:18, 19).

Still later, He said that He had come into the world as a light so that all who would believe in Him would not abide in darkness concerning the Father’s truth. Then, when He was on trial before the high priest-at night, or under the cover of darkness, as it were, more or less in secrecy-He was interrogated concerning His doctrine, or what He had taught. Jesus answered him, “I spake openly to the world. ..and in secret have I said nothing” (See John 18:19-21). He came to shed God’s light abroad. Anything done deliberately in secret is suspicious in its intent.

Lodges are known as “secret orders” because the main element of their teaching is concealed from all who have not subscribed to their “order,” or fraternity. In fact, some “orders” indoctrinate their members by “degrees,” and those who “join” may not know what they are embracing until much later-perhaps too late! Despite their “Bible language,” this is not the Bible way. The light of God is not shrouded in darkness, but is open to “whosoever” will accept it.

God, through His prophet, pronounced “woe,” or judgment, upon “them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord, and their works are in the dark” (Isa. 29:15). Again, God’s name was on their lips, but they feigned to believe that He could not see or know what they were doing. This was a “religious” way of saying there was no God. Some “oaths” plainly show that belief in God is a mockery, or else that nothing at all is known about the true God. For example, consider the following “oath”:

“Binding myself under no less penalty than that of having my body severed in twain, my bowels taken from thence and burned to ashes, the ashes scattered to the four winds of heaven, so that no more trace or remembrance may be had of so vile and perjured a wretch as I, should I knowingly or willingly violate this my solemn obligation...” (-”What’s Wrong With Lodges?”)

Instead of “yoking” ourselves with such unbelievers, we are warned to “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.” The apostles followed Jesus’ example. Paul. when defending himself before Festus, the Roman governor, and King Herod Agrippa (Acts 26) said, “...this thing was not done in a corner,” or in secret. Again in Acts 20:20, he reminded the Ephesian elders that he had kept back nothing, but had taught them publicly.

If you have never accepted or if you have fallen away from Jesus Christ here are three steps you need to take to be saved:

You must admit you are a sinner, confess your sin to Jesus, repent (turn from all you know is wrong), ask Jesus to come in your heart, and begin to follow Jesus by reading and obeying his word and go to a bible believing church that teaches his word. And tell someone what Christ Jesus Has Done For You (Rev 12:10)  

May God through Christ bless you!

If you enjoyed this blogpost and believe some else can be helped and may be blessed pass it along:

https://prayerchangesthings8.blogspot.com/

If you have a prayer request or have questions that need clarification please contact me at: neverstoppraying8@gmail.com