Topical Bible: Swearing Falsely: we should not Love

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Topical Encyclopedia

Swearing falsely, or bearing false witness, is a sin that is explicitly condemned in the Bible. It involves making a false statement or oath, often with the intent to deceive or mislead others. This act is contrary to the nature of God, who is truth, and it undermines the trust and integrity that should characterize human relationships.

Biblical Prohibition

The prohibition against swearing falsely is rooted in the Ten Commandments, where God commands, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Exodus 20:16). This commandment underscores the importance of truthfulness and integrity in the community of God's people. Swearing falsely is not merely a personal failing but a violation of divine law that disrupts social harmony and justice.

Old Testament Teachings

The Old Testament contains numerous admonitions against false oaths and deceit. Leviticus 19:12 warns, "You must not swear falsely by My name and so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD" . This verse highlights the seriousness of invoking God's name in a false oath, as it not only deceives others but also dishonors God Himself.

The prophet Zechariah also speaks against false oaths, stating, "These are the things you must do: Speak truth to one another, render true and sound judgments in your gates, do not plot evil in your hearts against your neighbor, and do not love perjury. For I hate all these things, declares the LORD" (Zechariah 8:16-17). Here, the emphasis is on cultivating a community where truth and justice prevail, and where falsehood and deceit are abhorred.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus reinforces the call to truthfulness in His Sermon on the Mount. He teaches, "Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, 'Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.' But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King" (Matthew 5:33-35). Jesus calls His followers to a higher standard of integrity, where their word is trustworthy without the need for oaths.

The apostle Paul also emphasizes the importance of truthfulness in the Christian life. In Ephesians 4:25, he writes, "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another" . This instruction reflects the interconnectedness of the Christian community and the necessity of honesty for its health and unity.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

Swearing falsely is not only a breach of ethical conduct but also a spiritual failing. It reflects a heart that is not aligned with God's truth and righteousness. The Bible consistently calls believers to love truth and reject falsehood, as seen in Proverbs 12:22: "Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight" .

The act of swearing falsely is antithetical to the love of truth that should characterize the life of a believer. It is a manifestation of a heart that has not fully embraced the transformative power of the Gospel, which calls individuals to live in truth and love.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Zechariah 8:17
And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbor; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, said the LORD.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Ninth Commandment
... (3) That which is condemned in the commandment is, swearing to what ... the sense of
the commandment, not only that we should not slander falsely or accuse ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 9 the ninth commandment.htm

Faustus is Willing to Admit that Christ May have Said that He came ...
... secure us from departing from the truth by not swearing at all, rather than that
we should be in ... never swears is less in danger of swearing falsely than one ...
/.../faustus is willing to admit.htm

Against Rash and Vain Swearing.
... here by God, that thou wilt not deal falsely with me ... do no more than suggest other
faults of swearing, and good ... should we so often mention Him, when we do not ...
/.../sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/against rash and vain swearing.htm

The Third Commandment
... That which makes swearing yet more heinous, is, that when ... Into the house of him that
sweareth falsely by my ... should be sacred and inviolable; but, if we make a ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 3 the third commandment.htm

Letter Xlvii. (AD 398. )
... one participates, not in the sin of swearing by the ... is, beyond all doubt, worse to
swear falsely by the ... In answering this question, we may accept as decisive ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter xlvii a d 398.htm

Sin.
... There is no stealing, lying, cheating, swearing, drunkenness, fightings ... thing known
unto us when we have opportunity ... therefore if he speaks falsely he commits a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter iii sin.htm

From the Second to the Fourth Commandment
... as a most sacred thing, and one who swears falsely is the ... "Rash""swearing a thing ...
While we may take innocent and useful amusement, we should not join in any ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 32 from the second.htm

Article xii (V): of Repentance.
... They falsely assert that the Sacrament itself confers grace ex opere ... that faith is
required, in order that we may believe the one swearing, and be ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 15 article xii v .htm

All his Insulting Epithets are Shewn by Facts to be False.
... brethren deceived them; and that too while swearing by the ... Accordingly we accept
that general statement about man which ... who is truly a Son is falsely so called ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 10 all his insulting.htm

Methodists, or the Methodist Episcopal Church.
... are not common, as touching the right, title, and possession, of the same, as some
do falsely boast. ... As we confess that vain and rash swearing is forbidden ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/methodists or the methodist episcopal.htm