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The UK Bible Students Website Christian Biblical Studies
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SWEARING
Scripture citations are to the New
International Version (
THERE’S A LOT of it about. The barrier to the use of swearwords in films and television programmes and in British society was breached many years ago. But profane language still has the power to shock, and is a constant disappointment to those who prefer their entertainment and conversation couched in wholesome terms. Motion pictures frequently include profanity in the script in order to win an ‘adult’ rating, the better to market the film and attract a wider audience. But swear words are usually angry, and drip with misanthropy. More often than not they alienate speaker from hearer and bring down the quality of conversation by several notches.
Jesus addresses the question of
profane language only indirectly. Let your yes be yes, your no, no, He says.
Keep it simple (Matthew
5: 34-36). In this context He has in view the taking of oaths, a practice of
long pedigree in
But be careful, warns Jesus, that you do not commit yourself lightly to an undertaking of which you are unsure. Worse still, do not vow to do something which you have no intention of doing. Every statement of intent is a promise. No pledge should be taken lightly. In our modern society we have become used to promises that have little meaning. The market place has diluted the ‘guarantee’ of any product or service offered for sale either by attaching conditions or by making outrageous claims. And so routinely are promises made and broken that we often feel we must now buttress a simple ‘I will do’ with affirmations – ‘absolutely’, ‘trust me’, ‘over my dead body’. The word of a Christian ought to be sufficient to satisfy both speaker and hearer (James 5: 12).
The Covenant
A covenant is also a promise. The entire Gospel of salvation rests on covenants, of which there are principally two: the conditional, or bilateral – a contract made between two parties, each of whom agrees to keep certain stipulations of the agreement. Such contracts invariably include sanctions – penalties for failing to keep to the terms. An example of this type of contract is a lease or rental of a flat or house, in which continuance of residence is dependent upon making regular payments.
The other type of covenant is unconditional, or unilateral. By its nature, the unconditional contract is a pledge made by one party to another. The first party carries all the liabilities of fulfilment; the second party is the recipient of the benefits offered, and may not be required to do anything. A simple bequest is one such example.
Of the bilateral, or conditional,
agreements, that of the Law Covenant is probably the best example. God would do
such and such for
The Oath of Jehovah
The best example of the unconditional contract is that in which God vowed to bless Abraham and his offspring (Genesis 12: 1-3). As there is no one and no thing greater than Himself, God swore by His own nature (Genesis 22: 15-18). In effect, the Almighty staked His reputation on the fulfilment of this promise. This promise, the Oath-Bound Covenant, is the basis on which rests the Gospel, as related by the Apostle Paul:
‘When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no-one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, saying, I will surely bless you and give you many descendants. And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged’ (Hebrews 6: 13-18).
‘Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: All nations will be blessed through you. So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith’ (Galatians 3: 7-9).
The Oath of Consecration
When we take up the cross of Christ we agree to follow the Master through thick and thin. We pledge to accept and do the will of God without question. This commitment is not for the faint of heart, and should not be taken up without serious thought in advance (Luke 14: 25-33). Fortunately for us, this self-imposed pledge is not wholly dependent on our ability to perform it perfectly. The implication in our being justified by faith is that we are not perfect, and we will inevitably fail to live up to our best intentions. But God promises us that we will overcome, if we trust His leading, apply the teachings and principles of His Word to our lives, and endeavour to follow the example of Christ.
Copyright June 2009
ukbiblestudents.co.uk
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