Oaths and Swearing and God, Oh My!

Q 99: What is the aim of the third commandment? A: That we neither blaspheme nor misuse the name of God by cursing, perjury, or unnecessary oaths, nor share in such horrible sins by being silent bystanders. In summary, we should use the holy name of God only with reverence and awe, so that we may properly confess God, pray to God, and glorify God in all our words and works. Q 100: Is blasphemy of God’s name by swearing and cursing really such serious sin that God is angry also with those who do not do all they can to help prevent and forbid it? A: Yes, indeed. No sin is greater or provokes God’s wrath more than blaspheming his name. That is why God commanded it to be punished with death. Q 101: But may we swear an oath in God’s name if we do it reverently? A: Yes, when the government demands it, or when necessity requires it, in order to maintain and promote truth and trustworthiness for God’s glory and our neighbor’s good. Such oaths are grounded in God’s Word and were rightly used by the people of God in the Old and New Testaments. Q 102: May we also swear by saints or other creatures? A: No. A legitimate oath means calling upon God as the only one who knows my heart to witness to my truthfulness and to punish me if I swear falsely.  No creature is worthy of such honor.

The third command (You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God) has always been one of the more curious commands, in my opinion. It struck me as hard to define. I’m not sure how many of us really know why, out of ten total commands, one is regarding how we do and don’t speak of God’s name. 

Perhaps this command has always made you wary of exclamatory phrases like “oh my God” or “for God’s sake.” And rightly so. Christians ought to avoid such flippant uses of God’s name. In no way is his name glorified when we use it as a curse or to express our surprise.

But the catechism explores much more that is caught up in this command, namely swearing oaths.

Swearing in God’s name was not expressly forbidden. In fact, Deuteronomy 10–while recounting the 10 commandments being given to Israel–says, “Fear the Lord your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name.” Paul swore by God’s name (Romans 1:9, 2 Corinthians 1:23). Even Jesus testified under oath by the living God (Matthew 26:63-64).

There are appropriate situations, then, for Christian to swear oaths by God’s name. When our governments require it and in important ceremonies of Christian commitment (consider vows at baptism, profession of faith, weddings, installation of elders and deacons, etc). There is only one name worthy of our vows–God himself! No one else knows our hearts and intentions. No one else can judge or thoughts. No one else can see all truth. It follows, then, that we ought never make vows by anything else (not our mother’s grave, our pinkies, or our own hearts).

Jesus taught (and James picked up on it) that we ought not swear by all these other things in the world. Christ followers ought to be known as people of truth. People who mean yes when they say yes and no when they say no. 

Christians bear God’s name. Let us not misrepresent him–slogging his name through the mud–by going back on our word. Let us not stand idly by when his name is peddled for selfish gain. Let us defend his name when it is invoked for leverage, whether social, commercial, or political. In all our dealings, may God’s name be glorified by our commitment to truth. May we hold his name in all reverence and awe. By all we say and all we do, let us give God’s name the honor it is due.

~ Pastor Tim