Blind Guides Confuse Meaning of Oaths

Jesus Calls for Justice and Mercy

The Unforgiving Servant

Matthew 23:16-22 The Message
16-22 “You’re hopeless! What arrogant stupidity! You say, ‘If someone makes a promise with his fingers crossed, that’s nothing; but if he swears with his hand on the Bible, that’s serious.’ What ignorance! Does the leather on the Bible carry more weight than the skin on your hands? And what about this piece of trivia: ‘If you shake hands on a promise, that’s nothing; but if you raise your hand that God is your witness, that’s serious’? What ridiculous hairsplitting! What difference does it make whether you shake hands or raise hands? A promise is a promise. What difference does it make if you make your promise inside or outside a house of worship? A promise is a promise. God is present, watching and holding you to account regardless.

For Reflection

Oaths are empty. Does the Bible carry some kind of magic spell that commands a person who swears an oath on a stack of Bibles to tell the truth?  NONSENSE!

The only thing you truly possess is your word.  A promise kept is the best witness to your integrity.

Pray

Pray so that your word can be trusted and you will have no need to swear an oath.

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