It’s A Heart Issue, Part 15, Matthew 5:33-37

Matthew 5:33-37 (NKJV): “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ ³⁴ But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; ³⁵ nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. ³⁶ Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. ³⁷ But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.

Jesus is giving warning in regards to promises. We need not to be quick to make promises that we can’t or won’t intend on keeping. We need to be sure that nay promise we make, is one that we will do whatever it takes to keep.

When we make promises that we can’t or won’t keep, it really is showing that we are flakes or untrustworthy. If we are representing Jesus, by saying we’re Christian, then what we are doing is showing Him to be untrustworthy. The problem is that any Promise that He has made, has been kept or yet to be fulfilled. We know, without any uncertainty, that He will keep Promises He has made. How/ Because every He has not back out on others.

Sometimes life happens that we cannot keep a promise. We may know, when we make a promise, that we are for sure able to keep it. Then something happens that does not allow us to do so. If this is something that does not occur often, then don’t fret. Do what ever you can to make sure that promise can be met, like maybe ask for someone to help. However, if this is something that occurs often, then you need to look at why.

Some people will make promises that they don’t intend to keep. They just make them flippantly so they can look good. These are the people who are definitely ones that cannot be trusted. Most often, they make these promises to convince others to do something to help them gain something.

What kind of example are you setting? Are you making promises you can’t or won’t keep? Then consider changing your actions. Jesus has given us warning not to do so. In fact, He has said it’s better for you not to make a promise if you can’t or won’t.