What Does The Bible Say About Making Promises Matthew 5:33  1. They Are Serious The Mosaic law forbade irreverent oaths, light use of the Lord’s name, and broken vows. Once Yahweh’s name was invoked, the vow attached to it became a debt that had to be paid to the Lord. Jesus’ quotes regarding oaths in 5:33 are derived from such passages as Leviticus 19:12, Numbers 30:2, and Deuteronomy 5:11; 6:13; 23:21–23. In the Old Testament, a biblical vow or oath was an optional, above-and-beyond promise of an offering to God. Vows were never required, as were the basic tithes (Deut. 23:22). But once made, a vow was to be kept. A promise must not be complicated, legalized, or reduced to technicalities. A broken vow was subject to God’s punishment. Disciples must keep their word, especially when others depend on them, even if circumstances change or oath-keeping brings real loss. No one should break vows unless keeping them requires sin. Jesus is telling us here that if we say we are going to do something and we do not do it, there will be eternal ramifications. Matthew 5:34-36  2. No Such Thing As A White Lie Oaths … by heaven were considered more binding than oaths on the earth. Like children crossing their fingers behind their backs, the Pharisees camouflaged reality in elaborate technicalities. Beginning in 5:34, Jesus again used hyperbole when he instructed the people not to make any oaths. Oaths, properly understood and respectfully used, are a good thing. Jesus said it is better just to make a promise and keep it. Swearing by heaven and earth was not binding or swearing by Jerusalem, though swearing toward Jerusalem was. That an entire Mishnaic tract is given over to the subject shows that such distinctions became important and were widely discussed. In Jesus’ day, rabbis concocted a system that defeated the purpose of oaths. They taught that oaths might or might not be binding, depending on how one swore: If one swore by Jerusalem, it was not binding, but if one swore toward Jerusalem, it was. If one swore by the temple, it was not binding, but if one swore by the temple’s gold, it was. If one swore by the altar of sacrifice, it was not binding. If one swore by the gift on the altar, it was. This illustrates how certain teachers manipulated God’s Word in Jesus’ day. When they read a challenging law, they reduced it to something manageable. God is not interested in our excuses for not following through on a promise; he is interested in us fulfilling that promise. Matthew 5:37  3. Our Word Is All We Have The Greek might more plausibly be translated: “But let your word be, ‘Yes, Yes; No, No.’ ” The contextual purpose of this passage is to stress the true direction in which the OT points, which is the importance of truthfulness. Where oaths are not being used evasively, and truthfulness is not being threatened, it is not immediately obvious that they require such unqualified abolition. Simply put, Jesus insisted that his followers tell the truth always—not simply when “under oath.” Citizens of his kingdom are to be truth-tellers, in contrast to those who play with words and twist their meaning to their own selfish ends. Disciples should be so truthful that the need for oaths, vows, and promises withers away. God’s people should be better. If you promise to do something, what happens does not matter. You make sure that your commitment is fulfilled. Even if that means you lose the proposition. I would rather take the hit personally than disappoint the Lord. What are our transformational moments? Do you try to see how much you can get away with without being called on the carpet? Can people count on your word? Do you need to reevaluate your priorities so you can be better about keeping your word?