To Tell The Truth<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Pastor Don Carpenter \/ General<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inside Out: The Pursuit of Genuine Christianity \/ Truth; Deceit; Lie; Hypocrisy \/ Matthew 5:33\u201337<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I remember a television show from my childhood that featured three people claiming to be the same person. The celebrity panel would ask questions of each person to try to determine which one was not the imposter. The title of the program was \u201cTo Tell The Truth\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In our continuing study, \u201cInside Out, the Pursuit of Genuine Christianity\u201d we continue with the thought that our righteousness must exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Matthew 5:20 KJV
\nFor I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jesus has explained that external compliance but internal rebellion is still sin. He exposed the fact that murder and hatred are linked. Last week we saw the association between adultery, lust and fornication – any kind of sexual activity outside the marriage bond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This morning we are going to discover that God wants us to always keep out word whether or not we have sworn an oath to do so. No matter the circumstances, God wants His children To Tell The Truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t Break Your Oath<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Matthew 5:33 KJV Vine\u2019s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words Forswear 1 Timothy 1:10 KJV Swear falsely translates a Greek verb which may mean either \u201cbreak an oath\u201d or \u201ccommit perjury.\u201d This is its only occurrence in the New Testament, and both meanings are possible for the context. A related noun form is used in 1 Timothy 1:10 (TEV \u201cthose who \u2026 give false testimony\u201d). Translations are divided rather sharply on the meaning. TEV, NEB, NJB have \u201cbreak promise (or, oath)\u201d; while others go in the direction of \u201cto perjure\u201d (for example, Mft, Phps, \u201cforswear\u201d; NAB \u201ctake a false oath\u201d; RSV, AT, GeCL 1st edition \u201cswear falsely\u201d). AB has \u201cmake vows rashly.\u201d As one may expect, New Testament scholars are also divided on their interpretation of this verb, though several commentators note that the meaning \u201cbreak an oath\u201d goes better with the last clause of the verse.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 Barclay Moon Newman and Philip C. Stine, A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew, UBS Handbook Series (New York: United Bible Societies, 1992), 143.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Leviticus 19:12 KJV Someone suggested the top ten lies told in America: 10) Your table will be ready in a minute. 9) One size fits all. 8) This will hurt me more than it hurts you. 7) I\u2019m sorry I\u2019m late; I got stuck in traffic. 6) The check is in the mail. 5) This offer is limited to the first 50 callers. 4) It\u2019s not the money; it\u2019s the principle of the thing. 3) I need just five minutes of your time. 2) I\u2019ll start my diet tomorrow. 1) I\u2019m from the IRS and I\u2019m here to help you. Our culture doesn\u2019t place much value on integrity, but Scripture does.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 Robert J. Morgan, Nelson\u2019s Annual Preacher\u2019s Sourcebook, 2004 Edition. (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2004), 132.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t Make An Oath<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Matthew 5:34\u201336 KJV Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jesus goes to the heart of the law\u2019s intent regarding oaths when he says that his disciples are not to swear \u201cat all.\u201d This does not mean \u201cprofanity\u201d or \u201ccursing\u201d but invoking God\u2019s name, or substitutes for it, to guarantee the truth of what one says. Jesus understands the duplicity of the human heart, for people sometimes invoked an oath in order to conceal an attempt to deceive. By contrast, Jesus\u2019 disciples should be people of such integrity of character and truthfulness of heart that whatever they say is absolutely believable and dependable. A person of integrity is one who in daily conversation is so truthful, dependable, genuine, guileless, and reliable that his or her words are believed without an oath.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 Michael J. Wilkins, Matthew, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2004), 247\u2013248.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t swear by God\u2019s creation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Heaven \u2026 earth \u2026 Jerusalem. The last half of this verse and the first half of verse 35 contain an allusion to Isaiah 66:1, where the Lord declares \u201cHeaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.\u201d Some Jewish teachers taught that an oath was not binding if made in the name of heaven or earth. But Jesus teaches that whether the name of God is used or not, a person has to deal with God when he makes a vow.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 Barclay Moon Newman and Philip C. Stine, A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew, UBS Handbook Series (New York: United Bible Societies, 1992), 144.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Isaiah 66:1 KJV Don\u2019t swear by yourself<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n To swear by your head has sometimes been difficult to express. Some translators have said here \u201cDo not even use your own head as authority when you declare something is true\u201d or \u201cWhen you declare something true, don\u2019t even refer to your head to confirm it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n For you cannot make one hair black or white reveals that God is called into the situation even when one invokes one\u2019s own head. Even the color of one\u2019s hair is determined by God. The translation can be \u201cyou can\u2019t even make one hair change color (from white to black).\u201d The translation should not mean one hair is first made white then black or that some hairs will be made one color and others the other color. Some translations have had to say \u201cbecause you do not even have enough authority over your head to make one hair white or black (or, to change the color of one hair).\u201d1<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 Barclay Moon Newman and Philip C. Stine, A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew, UBS Handbook Series (New York: United Bible Societies, 1992), 146.<\/p>\n\n\n\n James 5:12 KJV No oath is in itself simply good, and voluntarily to be used; but only as medicines are, in case of necessity. But to use it ordinarily and indifferently, without being constrained by any cogent necessity, or called to it by any lawful authority, is such a sin as wears off all reverence and dread of the Great God: and we have very great cause to suspect that where his name is so much upon the tongue, there his fear is but little in the heart.1<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 Elliot Ritzema and Elizabeth Vince, eds., 300 Quotations for Preachers from the Puritans, Pastorum Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2013).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Always Tell The Truth<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Matthew 5:37 KJV A Believer Should Not Have to Swear To Anything in Order to be Believed<\/p>\n\n\n\n A businessman was traveling on a plane for the first time. He had always been terrified of flying but his next appointment required him to do so. The flight was going well when suddenly the plane shuddered. The pilot came over the intercom and announced that the engines on the right side had stopped so the were making an emergency landing. Shortly there after, another shudder and the pilot announced the other engines had stopped. Everyone was informed to assume the crash position with their head between their knees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For the first time the businessman felt vulnerable. He had never felt the need to cry out to God but at that moment he did. \u201cGod,\u201d he prayed. \u201c If you will allow me to survive this crash I take a solemn vow to give to charity half of all my possessions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Suddenly all four engines began working again and the plane glided smoothly onto the runway. The businessman rushed to disembark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As he made his way out of the runway area the man who had been seated beside him spoke to him. \u201cExcuse me sir. I am a pastor involved in several charities. I heard your vow to the Lord concerning your possessions. I can guide you in keeping that vow by recommending some outstanding charities that have needs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The businessman replied \u201cThat won\u2019t be necessary. You see I made a new vow with God. I vowed if I ever got on another plane, He could have it all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Proverbs 6:16\u201317 KJV A proud look, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Anything Other Than Truth Comes From The Evil One<\/p>\n\n\n\n Matthew 5:37 KJV John 8:44 KJV During one of his political campaigns, a delegation called on Theodore Roosevelt at his home in Oyster Bay, Long Island. The President met them with his coat off and his sleeves rolled up. “Ah, gentlemen,” he said, “come down to the barn and we will talk while I do some work.” At the barn, Roosevelt picked up a pitchfork and looked around for the hay. Then he called out, “John, where\u2019s all the hay?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Sorry, sir,” John called down from the hayloft. “I ain\u2019t have time to toss it back down again after you pitched it up while the Iowa folks were here.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Source: Bits & Pieces, November 12, 1992, pp. 19-20.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What comes out of the mouth comes from the heart. If we have to swear to something in a specific manor in order to be truthful or believable, there is a problem. Lying lips betray a devilish heart. Repent and learn to Tell The Truth from the Inside Out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Exported from Logos Bible Software, 2:55 PM February 1, 2020.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" To Tell The Truth Pastor Don Carpenter \/ General Inside Out: The Pursuit of Genuine Christianity \/ Truth; Deceit; Lie; Hypocrisy \/ Matthew 5:33\u201337 I remember a television show from my childhood that featured three people claiming to be the same person. The celebrity panel would ask questions of each person to try to determine … Continue reading To Tell The Truth<\/span>
\nAgain, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nepiorkeo (????????, 1964) signifies \u201cto swear falsely, to undo one\u2019s swearing, forswear oneself\u201d (epi, \u201cagainst,\u201d orkos, \u201can oath\u201d), Matt. 5:33.\u00b6 Cf. epiorkos, \u201ca perjured person, a perjurer,\u201d 1 Tim. 1:10, \u201cfalse swearers<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nFor whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nAnd ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nBut I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God\u2019s throne: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nThus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: Where is the house that ye build unto me? And where is the place of my rest?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nBut above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nBut let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nThese six things doth the LORD hate: Yea, seven are an abomination unto him: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nBut let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nYe are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n