The Proper Use of Oaths and Vows

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