Some Christians think that Jesus and James taught never to take a vow - doing so is evil. Is that right?
Talking Points:
- We see biblical figures taking oaths.
- Paul swore to God.
- Jesus didn’t object to it.
- God swore by his name. Deuteronomy 6:10,13
- The Expositor’s Bible Commentary says that Jesus and James are speaking about taking casual oaths in informal conversation, not condemning formal oaths like in courts of law. Matthew 5:33-34,37 James 5:12
- The point – Christians should take their words seriously and always be truth-tellers. Deuteronomy 5:11
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Where do people commonly take formal oaths/vows? What do those oaths represent in those settings?
- Read Matthew 5:33-37. What is Jesus’ point in this passage? What does it mean that your “yes should be yes and no should be no.”?
- Read Deuteronomy 5:11. How have you been careless with your words in the past? How do you need to grow in the area of being a truth-teller?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
