Anglican Daily Fountain Devotional for Today March 20, 2025

TOPIC: DO NOT SWEAR AT ALL

TEXT: Mathew 5:33-42(NKJV)

• 5:33. ” Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’
• 5:34. “But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne;
• 5:35. “nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
• 5:36. “Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black.
• 5:37. “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.
• 5:38. ” You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’
• 5:39. “But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
• 5:40. “If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have [your] cloak also.
• 5:41. “And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
• 5:42. “Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.

STUDY:

Jesus took time to teach his disciples the difference between Old and New Testament principles for daily living. To swear falsely or break an oath was forbidden by the Law because it was the same as taking the name of the Lord in vain(Ex.20:7). Jesus commanded His disciples not to swear at all, by anything in heaven or on earth. People swear to prove their innocence in a case or make their promises certain.

However, in Christ, our’Yes’ should be yes and ‘No’ a no indeed! We must exhibit the virtues of truthfulness, faithfulness and honesty in our relationship with God and man. Verses 18-42 of our text deal with the issues of retaliation or ‘paying back’ – an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth! The world system even approves it – men and women often say in Pidgin “Do me, I do you, God no go vex.”

In Christ, we are instructed not to repay evil for evil, but to overcome evil with good and even pray for your enemies (Rom. 12: 17, Rom. 12:21). This instruction is difficult for the natural man but the new man can rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to forgive and love the unlovable. Will you allow the love and forgiveness of Christ to flow through you to those who have wronged you? You will exhibit the nature of Christ if you obey!

PRAYER:

Lord, help me to always overcome evil with good and be your disciples indeed, Amen!

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