Every culture has "swear" words, even the Christian culture. Words like jeepers, darn it, heck, dog-gown-it, doo-doo head, and my wife's favorite, "fahrvergnugen," comes to mind. Every culture has "swear" words, but is this the swearing Jesus is talking about in Matthew 5:33-37 (KJV), where he teaches, "Swear not at all?" Perhaps. However, as we know, all of Jesus’ teachings are much more profound, leading to a new good reality. A reality that feeds the soul with “Truthfulness,” where Christain Character Counts.
Didn't our mommies and daddies threaten to "wash our mouths out with soap" whenever we said a swear word? I promise, this is not what Jesus was talking about, and if it was, we are all in big trouble because some of the most trustworthy people in life swear. Jesus said, "Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool…But let your communication be 'yes' or 'no': for what is more than this is evil." In other words, Jesus is saying, stop swearing your life to God and other people where you have no intention of fully following through. Evil lurks at your door if your "words" and "deeds" are disconnected. This passive-aggressive behavior only causes good people to swear!
Why is connecting your "words" and "deeds" so important? What you say and do is vitally important in The Delight of the LORD. Most Christians do not comprehend the power of their words. Proverbs 18:21 says, "death and life are in the power of the tongue." God shares the importance of this insight in Proverbs 12:22, "Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight." Are you a delight to the LORD and others? If you are, you can be trusted.
I encourage all to keep your word, “Swear not at all,” to experience truthfulness in God’s perspective. We do this by thinking straight and speaking to others truthfully in life. In your mind, often, tell yourself things like, "I can tell the whole truth every time.", "I will consider my words and how they affect others.", "I will not make promises I cannot keep.", "I will speak words of life to others.", etc. Thinking like this will allow your conversations and commitments to lift people and honor the LORD.
Please understand I'm not advocating using bad or swear words. If cultural swearing offends you or someone, respect those around you, take the higher ground, and don't cuss. But more importantly, for the Christian who habitually says one thing and does another, know you're not helping the cause of Christ, and it's causing a lot of harm to God and people in all dimensions of life. If you have a passive-aggressive pattern with your words and deeds, stop it! Dispute it, and gladly obey God's teachings of "Swear not at all” to be a trustworthy person in all of life where Christian Character Counts, now and always!
With truthfulness,