WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO TELL THE TRUTH?
Matthew 5:33-37

I remember being called to testify as a character witness on behalf of one of the people in a church I served.  I sat nervously in the antechamber of the courtroom waiting for my name to be called to testify.  Then, I heard the bailiff announce my name and I followed him into the courtroom.  I was told to raise my right hand and then asked if the testimony I was about to give was the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.  I stated that I would give nothing but the truth and took my place in the witness chair.

I am reminded of those words of Pilate to Jesus as he interrogated him that spring morning.  “What is truth?” were his words.  And, that is the prevailing question today.  What is truth?  How serious is the taking of an oath?

In the Bible, an oath was an affirmation of the truth of a matter.  We read these words in Numbers 30:2, If a man makes a vow to the Lord, or takes an oath to bind himself with a binding obligation, he shall not violate his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.  Also, oaths were only to be made in the name of the Lord, for we read in Isaiah 65:16, Because he who is blessed in the earth shall be blessed by the God of truth; and he who swears in the earth shall swear by the God of truth….  Finally, God held people accountable because taking an oath was serious business.  You will find this principle stated in Leviticus 5:4-6.

The Jews, during the days of Jesus, had developed an elaborate set of rules to know when they could get away with lying and deception.  They believed that the only binding vows were those that contained the name of God.  If God’s name was used, God was a partner in the transaction; but if God’s name was not used, the vow could be broken.  This led to evasive swearing, or swearing by things rather than by God.  So, they would take an oath by Jerusalem, or by the earth, or even by their very heads.

What did Jesus teach?  He states that we cannot divide life into compartments, some of which Jesus is involved in and some of which Jesus is not involved in.  There is not one standard of conduct for the church and one for the office.  There is not one type of language for the youth group and another for school.  We need to remember that God is everywhere and is involved in everything that we do.  Every promise we make to anyone is always made in the presence of God.

Jesus also taught that our conversation should be honest and our character true.  Listen to His words in verse 37, Simply let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes’ and your ‘ no,’ ‘no’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.  A Christian’s word should be his or her bond.  Friends, truth must ever be our watchword. 

Father, Truth is a concept that has lost its luster in our society.  We don’t know whom to believe anymore.  And, Father, sadly we must confess that at times we have not always been truthful to those around us.  We have been guilty of half-truths and of twisting the truth to give us the advantage.  At other times, we have said, ‘yes’ knowing that we would not follow through.  Father, we serve a risen Savior who declared that He was the truth.  Help us to model truth.  Help us to live truth.  Help us to proclaim truth.  For it is in His name we pray.  Amen.

 

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