Birthed from Evil – Collide

In a Bible teaching delivered at Founded In Truth Fellowship, likely by Matthew Vander Els, the focus is on a critical examination of Yeshua’s (Jesus’) teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, specifically addressing the topic of oaths and vows. The teaching delves into the deeper implications of Yeshua’s words in Matthew 5:33-37, where he instructs his followers to not take oaths at all, but rather let their “yes” be “yes” and their “no” be “no.”

The speaker begins by highlighting that many modern listeners often gloss over this passage due to a cultural disconnect with the practice of oath-taking in the first century and the ancient Near East. In those times, swearing by something, especially by God’s name, was a significant act, akin to a legally binding contract. The Torah itself addresses the importance of not breaking vows and cautions against swearing falsely by God’s name, as seen in Deuteronomy 23:21-23 and Leviticus 19:12.

To illustrate the issue, a story is presented about two fishermen in Galilee, one named Shlomo, who falsely accuses the other of damaging his fishing net. To lend credibility to his accusation, Shlomo swears by the name of Yahweh and the sacrifices on the holy altar that he witnessed the act. The speaker explains that by invoking God’s name, Shlomo attempts to associate his claim with God’s own integrity and justice, thereby making his accusation seem more legitimate. While taking oaths was a common practice in the ancient world, the problem arises when God’s name is used to support a falsehood.

The teaching emphasizes that when someone swears by God’s name and then breaks their oath or makes a false claim, they are taking God’s reputation as something casual and using it to cover their dishonesty. Leviticus 19:12 explicitly commands, “You shall not swear by my name falsely,” and doing so profanes God’s name. The value and credibility of God’s name are diminished when it is associated with broken promises and deceit. This concept is further connected to the third commandment in Exodus 20:7, which states, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.” Taking God’s name in vain involves not just misusing the name itself, but also mishandling what His name represents – His reputation and integrity – through our own dishonest actions. As followers of God, we carry His name and reputation, and our lack of integrity reflects poorly on Him.

Given the seriousness of swearing by God’s name, people in ancient Israel, particularly by the first century, became hesitant to even vocalize God’s name. To circumvent the direct commandment against false oaths in God’s name, they began swearing by things closely associated with Him, such as heaven, earth, or Jerusalem. Yeshua addresses this practice in Matthew 5, stating that swearing by these things is still connected to God, as heaven is His throne, the earth is His footstool, and Jerusalem is His city. He further criticizes the hair-splitting logic of the Pharisees in Matthew 23, who would argue that swearing by the temple was not binding, but swearing by the gold in the temple was. Yeshua exposes this as foolishness, pointing out that the temple itself sanctifies the gold, and the altar makes the gift sacred. Ultimately, Yeshua argues that any attempt to swear, regardless of what is invoked, stems from a lack of inner honesty.

The teaching then transitions to applying these principles to contemporary life, introducing the idea of a “song and dance.” This term describes the ways in which people today manipulate their words and actions to create a false impression or to achieve their own aims, even without explicitly taking oaths. This can manifest as exaggerating one’s importance, name-dropping, or presenting a carefully curated image that does not fully reflect reality. Examples are given, such as misleading local car commercials or McDonald’s advertisements that highlight only positive aspects while concealing potential downsides. The underlying motive for this “song and dance” is often fear – the fear of being seen as imperfect or inadequate.

The speaker emphasizes that Yeshua’s core issue is honesty – honesty with ourselves and with others. The need to swear or to engage in manipulative presentation indicates a deeper problem of low integrity and a lack of trust. As Dallas Willard is quoted as saying in his book “The Divine Conspiracy,” the essence of swearing is trying to use something impressive or irrelevant to bypass others’ understanding and judgment to get one’s way. This is described as a form of manipulation.

The teaching also addresses how this “song and dance” can infiltrate religious contexts. Believers might use spiritual language, such as claiming “God laid it on my heart” or “the Holy Spirit isn’t leading me,” to avoid accountability, shut down discussion, or justify self-serving decisions. While sometimes these statements may be sincere, they can also be used to exploit God’s name and reputation for personal gain, mirroring the behavior of the Pharisees. This creates a barrier to genuine community and honest relationships.

Yeshua’s radical call to simply let our “yes” be “yes” and our “no” be “no” challenges this pervasive lack of honesty. Anything beyond this, any exaggeration or twisting of the truth, is described as being “birthed from evil” – not necessarily from malicious intent, but from an evil influence that seeks to manipulate others. Yeshua’s new kingdom offers a way to overcome this tendency and to live with integrity, free from the fear that drives the “song and dance.” As believers, we are called to build a community based on love, trust, mercy, and understanding, which requires shedding the need to hide behind false presentations. Our identity should be rooted in Yeshua’s finished work, not in the opinions of others.

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Application for Everyday Life

• Practice straightforward communication: Let your “yes” mean yes and your “no” mean no, without adding embellishments or trying to manipulate the perception of your words.
• Be honest about your limitations: Avoid pretending to be an expert or more knowledgeable than you are. It is okay to say, “I don’t know.”
• Examine your motives for sharing: Reflect on why you are sharing certain information or stories. Are you trying to impress others or present a false image?
• Avoid using spiritual language to manipulate: Be sincere in your use of phrases like “God led me to…” and be open to feedback and dialogue.
• Cultivate genuine relationships: Strive for honesty and transparency in your interactions, building trust rather than relying on manipulation.
• Be aware of the “song and dance” in media and advertising: Recognize when presentations are designed to create a specific feeling or hide certain truths.
• Address the fear of imperfection: Acknowledge your flaws and vulnerabilities, understanding that your worth is found in Yeshua, not in a flawless image.

References

• Matthew 5:33-37 – Matthew 5:33
• Deuteronomy 23:21-23 – Deuteronomy 23:21
• Leviticus 19:12 – Leviticus 19:12
• Exodus 20:7 – Exodus 20:7