Sermon on the Mount – Oath Making • FOUNDED IN TRUTH – Messianic Livestream

In this teaching from Founded in Truth Fellowship, Matthew Vander Els delves into a seemingly straightforward yet profoundly relevant passage from the Sermon on the Mount: Jesus’ instruction against swearing oaths. While the practice of making formal vows might appear archaic to a contemporary audience, the underlying principles of this teaching speak directly to the heart of integrity, honesty, and authentic living in our daily lives. The Sermon on the Mount, as Vander Els explains, reveals what the world looks like when the ethics of heaven collide with earth, portraying how individuals should act when the kingdom reign of Jesus Christ is lived out on earth.

The speaker begins by acknowledging that the command “do not swear oaths” might initially seem “a little boring” and perhaps irrelevant in 2024. However, he argues that this teaching is far from obsolete, particularly when understood within its historical context. In the ancient world, swearing oaths was a significant practice used to lend weight to one’s statements, especially when invoking God’s name or related holy objects like the temple, the throne, or the altar. Hebrews 6:16 is cited to illustrate that oaths served to confirm what was said and put an end to disputes. Even today, practices like swearing on a stack of Bibles in court demonstrate the lingering significance of oaths in our culture.

Vander Els highlights that Jesus goes to the core reason why people swear oaths: to impress others with their sincerity or piety, ultimately to gain a personal benefit. By invoking God’s name, individuals would apply the weight of God’s reputation to their situation or request, essentially leveraging divine authority to manipulate others into believing them or doing what they wanted. This act of using something seemingly pious as a tool for manipulation is contrary to the spirit of the kingdom of God. It undermines the autonomy and judgment of others, treating them as objects to be influenced rather than respected image-bearers of God.

Jesus’ response is direct and uncompromising: “Don’t swear at all—not even by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is a simple ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” This instruction cuts to the heart of the matter, emphasizing the importance of straightforward honesty and integrity in our communication. There should be no need to add layers of oaths or invocations to make our words truthful; our “yes” should be inherently trustworthy, and our “no” equally so.

The teaching extends beyond just formal oaths to encompass all forms of manipulative communication. Vander Els connects this to the phenomenon of people claiming to speak on God’s behalf to exert control over others. He recounts an experience where someone declared that God told him the speaker needed to repent, without specifying the offense. This illustrates how invoking divine authority can shut down dialogue and manipulate others through a perceived higher mandate. While the speaker affirms his belief that God does communicate with people in various ways, he cautions against the weaponization of God’s name for personal agendas.

Furthermore, the discussion touches upon the idea of an “internal monologue” and the potential for self-deception. Just as we might be tempted to use God’s name to manipulate others, our own internal thoughts can sometimes lead us to interpret situations in ways that serve our desires rather than reflecting truth. Wisdom involves recognizing this tendency and taking responsibility for our interpretations.

The speaker draws parallels between manipulative communication in personal interactions and similar tactics used in politics and even during the Cold War. Politicians often invoke God’s name to gain favor and appeal to religious voters, sometimes obscuring their actual policies with emotional appeals. The addition of “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance and the motto “In God We Trust” on currency during the Cold War are presented as examples of leveraging religious devotion for nationalistic purposes against the perceived “godless” Soviet Union. These examples highlight the pervasive human tendency to use even the sacred for strategic advantage.

The core issue, according to Vander Els, is the lack of “kingdom honesty” – a commitment to truthfulness and integrity even when it is difficult or unpopular. Instead of resorting to “word salads” or manipulative tactics to achieve desired outcomes, followers of Jesus are called to be direct and honest, allowing others to respond authentically to the truth. This principle applies to all areas of life, from personal relationships to professional interactions.

Application for Everyday Life

• Practice Honesty in Communication: Strive for straightforward and truthful communication in all interactions. Let your “yes” mean yes and your “no” mean no, without the need for embellishments or justifications.
• Avoid Manipulation: Be mindful of any inclination to manipulate others, whether through emotional appeals, invoking authority (divine or otherwise), or any form of deception to get your way.
• Be Authentic: Embrace your true self, recognizing that you are created in the image of God and loved for who you are, without the need to wear masks or project a false image to gain approval.
• Cultivate Integrity: Let your actions align with your words, building a reputation for honesty and trustworthiness over time. This eliminates the need to rely on oaths or other external validations of your integrity.
• Discern Claims of Divine Authority: Exercise discernment when others claim to speak on God’s behalf, especially when such claims are used to pressure or manipulate you. Test such claims against the character of God as revealed in scripture.
• Reflect on Internal Motivations: Be aware of your own internal monologue and the potential for self-deception. Seek wisdom to interpret situations truthfully, rather than through the lens of your desires.
• Reject Passive Aggression: In line with honest communication, avoid passive-aggressive behavior that seeks to manipulate indirectly.
• Focus on Being a “Shiny Holy Thing”: Instead of relying on external symbols or pronouncements to convey truthfulness, strive to embody integrity and honesty in your character, allowing your life to be a testament to the gospel.

By living out this teaching, individuals can experience greater peace and foster more genuine relationships, as those who value authenticity will be drawn closer, while those who prefer pretense will naturally drift away. Ultimately, this way of living reflects the character of God and participates in the gospel mission of bringing about a new good world marked by truth and integrity. The Torah’s instruction against taking the Lord’s name in vain is connected to the idea that those who bear God’s name (believers) should act in a manner consistent with God’s character, not tarnishing His reputation through dishonesty or manipulation. As ambassadors of Christ, we are called to be witnesses of God’s authentic love and truth.

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References

• Matthew 5:33-37 – biblehub.com
• Mark 1:14-15 – biblehub.com
• Genesis 1 – biblehub.com
• Genesis 3 – biblehub.com

Resources Mentioned

• The Bible by various authors