Reading:
Again,
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: But
I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor
by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city
of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head,
because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication
be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
Commentary:
Not all, but certain kinds of swearing are
sinful. Sinful swearing is
"Swearing which is done falsely, thoughtlessly, or in sinful, uncertain,
or unimportant matters" (Catechism, Q#41).
When man swears by a higher power (God in heaven), he is calling upon
God as a witness to what he says, and also calling down God's wrath upon
himself if he deceives. While we are
free to take an oath (swear) for the sake of establishing the truth in court,
seldom is there is a reason to swear in our day to day life. People who swear often and thoughtlessly
merit only God's wrath. It is good
however to swear (and not sinful), "when an oath is necessary for the
glory of God or the welfare of our neighbor." Let us then by God's strength keep ourselves
from swearing in any sinful and careless way remembering Jesus said, "let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay:
for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil."
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