Right Speaking

HOUSEGROUP NOTES for w/c 30th January 2022

Right Speaking

Matthew 5:33-37

This short passage in the Sermon on the Mount is initially aimed at some of the views held amongst religious people amongst the Jews.  Jewish writing is littered with views of what it means to take an oath- and at heart want to encourage us to be truthful in our speaking.  At the time of Jesus, when written contracts were few, and the ‘word’ of a man was taken as a binding contract it was import how and in whose name an oath was taken – this is because lying and prevaricating comes easily – as an icebreaker think of some examples you know of in the last few weeks!

Read the Passage together:

Notes for Leaders: Essentially, the first sin that happened on the earth was a lie. Satan deceived Adam and Eve, which plunged the world into sin and destruction. From that point, lying became common. In Romans 3:13, Paul described the effects of sin on humanity this way: “Their throats are open graves, they deceive with their tongues.” Sin has affected everybody’s integrity. Children struggle with lying, adults struggle with it, and the aged struggle with it also. Dishonesty is an epidemic from pre-school through to university and from the home to the workplace. It is often hard to trust people in our society.

Q. 1  Other than simply through our sinful natures, why do people practice lying?

Notes for Leaders: People lie to make themselves look better (a little exaggeration makes a story more exciting).

People lie to protect themselves from consequences (often to cover up a failure committed).

People lie to gain something they want.

You may be able to think of other reasons why people lie.

Big Question: In Matthew 5:33-37, what principles can be discerned about practicing right and truthful speaking?

Looking at the first two verses:

Q.2  What did the OT teach about taking oaths? Look at Deuteronomy 10:20

Notes for Leaders: God permitted oaths to restrain humanity’s natural tendency to lie. By invoking God’s name, it brought a greater accountability between people. Essentially by invoking God’s name, one asked for God’s judgment in the case of lying. Deuteronomy 23:21 says, “When you make a vow to the Lord your God you must not delay in fulfilling it, for otherwise he will surely hold you accountable as a sinner.”

The Jews were flippantly taking oaths, breaking them, and deceiving others by their use. In fact, many were doing this in the name of religion.

Sadly, the integrity of people today is no better. In certain circumstances, it is considered perfectly acceptable to lie, steal, cheat, and offer or accept a bribe. Often it is thought strange to not. Illegal downloading is done and accepted by almost all. Cheating on taxes is normative; people say to themselves, “It is my money! The government shouldn’t be taking it anyway!” Lack of integrity in marriage is also becoming common.

Q.3  Was Christ forbidding all oath taking? What about oaths given in courts?

Notes for Leaders: It doesn’t seem that Christ is giving an absolute prohibition of oaths. He is condemning frivolous oaths and evasive oaths, which only increased dishonesty instead of decreasing it.

Q. 4 In what ways have you seen and experienced a culture of dishonesty at school, at work, in the government, and even at home? Why is it hard to maintain a moral compass in this dishonest culture?

Verses 34-36

Notes for Leaders: Again, the Jews tried to evade God’s judgment and deceive others by removing his name from oaths. They thought if they substituted heaven, earth, Jerusalem, or their head for God’s name, then they were free from God’s judgment. However, Christ reminded them that even though they did not mention God’s name, God would still hold them accountable, since he is the sovereign judge over all. If they swore by their mother or father, God was their Creator. If they swore by their life, God was over that as well.

This is also important for us to realize. We tend to fall into the same type of dualism. If we are in church, then that is a holy place where we shouldn’t lie or curse. However, if we are at a meal with friends, our conversations are no longer as refined. That was the type of thought that led the Rabbis into hypocrisy. To them certain places or things invoked God’s judgment and other places or things did not.

We must therefore recognize God as sovereign over all, if we are going to practice radical righteousness. He is everywhere and hears everything, and we will be judged not only for breaking our oaths, but also for every word. Matthew 12:36-37 says, “I tell you that on the day of judgment, people will give an account for every worthless word they speak. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

If we are going to practice true right speaking, we must recognize God as sovereign. He is everywhere, he hears all, and will judge all. Therefore, truth is important in every situation, not just some situations. Hebrews 4:13 says, “And no creature is hidden from God, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.”

Q. 5 What are your thoughts about the fact that God will judge every one of our words? How should that affect our conversations?

Verse 37

Q. 6. What was Christ challenging believers to do when he said, “Let your word be ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’?

Notes for Leaders: As a general principle, people use oaths in regular conversations because their integrity is in doubt. Christ says that the members of his kingdom should not have to resort to oath taking. We are called to simply say, “Yes” or “No.”

When Christ said, “Let your ‘word,’” he uses “logos,” which can be translated not only as “word” but also as “speech” or “communication.” This emphasizes that not only should our oaths be truthful but also our regular daily conversations. We should avoid exaggerations which are shared to display ourselves in a more favourable light. We should avoid half-truths which are often given to avoid consequences. Our words at all times must be truthful.

Q. 7  What did Christ mean by anything less is from the evil one?

Notes for Leaders: When we practice dishonesty, we not only model the devil but open the door for him to use and speak through us. In the same way, Satan spoke through Peter in order to try to convince Jesus not to go to the cross (Matt 16:23), we are no less vulnerable to the enemy’s tactics. When we accept lies and then begin to speak them, we allow Satan to use our voice box to deceive, discourage, and destroy. We must be aware of this reality.

Q. 8 As with Peter speaking to Christ, in what ways does the enemy try to speak through you, whether to yourself or others? How can we recognize his lies and have victory over them?

Prayer: Besides praying for each other; pray that we would be able to speak truthfully and rightly in the situations we face.