The Proper Use of Oaths and Vows
Minister: | Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: | 12/23/2012 AM |
Text: | Deuteronomy 23:21-23; Lord's Day 37 |
Psalters: | 11, 144, 150, 24 |
- What they are.
- God gave to man the gift of communication.
- God speaks both within and outside of Himself, and He gave this ability to man.
- Man can speak, convey thoughts and ideas, and respond, bot th God and to each other.
- Sin drastically changed this wonderful gift, making man a natural liar with the instinct to lie.
- Grace makes a difference.
- God gave to man the gift of communication.
- Oaths and vows have a rightful place in the life of believers.
- Oaths and vows arise because of man’s great proneness to lie.
- An oath puts the All-knowing, just God of truth before the consciousness of man in three ways.
- A vow is a promise to do or not do something (as Nazarites, Num. 30:3).
- The history of oaths and vows in Scripture.
- Jesus condemned the mis-use of oaths introduced by the Pharisees.
- Oaths and vows have a rightful place in at least four specific situations in the believer’s life.
- When becoming professing members of the church.
- When we enter marriage.
- At baptism we promise to teach and train our child in the truth to the utmost of our ability.
- When we enter into office in the church.
- Oaths and vows arise because of man’s great proneness to lie.
- The proper use of oaths and vows.
- They may be needed as affirmations, but they ought not be a normal part of our life.
- First, God’s people should so speak the truth that vows are not often necessary (Matt. 5:37).
- Sometimes they are necessary to settle controversies and put an end to strife (I Kings 8:31,32; Heb. 6:16).
- Let us live honestly in all our dealings in life and work, and let our speech be truthful, even when it hurts.
- They may be needed as affirmations, but they ought not be a normal part of our life.