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Swear Not at All!
'Ready Answer' by StaffWhat really bugs me is swearing, particularly swearing in public, in mixed company, and in the media. I am referring to cursing, blasphemy, and profanity—simply put, bad language. Swearing is to use profane or obscene language, often retaining God's holy name as a common exclamation despite modern disregard for Him. Blasphemy expresses a lack of reverence for God, while profanity debases what is holy, showing a fall from reverence in our nations. Even euphemisms, mild substitutes for harsher words like gosh or jeez, are unnecessary when the English language offers countless benign expressions. Though habits of bad language can be deeply ingrained, especially from past use or workplace exposure, we must guard against allowing such speech to become normalized in our lives. The Old Testament condemns coarse swearing, and the Third Commandment in Exodus 20:7 warns against taking the name of the Lord in vain, holding guilty those who do so. The prophets link cursing and swearing to the captivities of ancient Israel and Judah, a pattern repeating as our nations rush toward worse consequences, partly due to foul language. Jesus Christ instructs clearly in Matthew 5:33-37 against swearing, emphasizing that even allowing swearwords to linger in our minds is sinful. To combat this, we must guard what enters our minds, focusing on things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy, as advised in Philippians 4:8. We should evaluate the media we consume and the company we keep, replacing unwholesome influences with uplifting ones to strive for holiness and purity as God is. Swear not at all!
Swear Not!
'Ready Answer' by John O. ReidThe New Testament strictly forbids oaths of any kind, as our word should always be honest and trustworthy.
Profanity (Part One)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughChrist's blood makes us holy; we are a new creation, having an intimate relationship with God. We need to change our behavior to reflect this new status.
Flavorless Salt
'Ready Answer' by Hunter D. SwansonThe apostle Paul advises Christians to speak graciously, our speech 'seasoned with salt.' We must control what we say because it exposes our hearts.
Flavorless Salt
Sermonette by Hunter D. SwansonThe metaphor of properly flavoring our speech with salt applies to how we speak to those who have not yet been called, which reflects on the family name of God.
Profanity (Part Two)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughProfane living is equally, if not more significant, than profane words or speech. W bear the name of God; how we act and behave reflects on God.
Extremes of Idolatry: Graven Images and Sacred Names
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughSome stretch the second commandment to condemn the use of all paintings, photographs, and sculptures. Others claim only Hebrew names for God can be used.
Should We Make Vows Today?
Article by John O. ReidWe can promise to change our lives in return for a request we ask from God, but should we do this? Although not forbidden, making vows is a risky business.
'But I Say to You' (Part Five): Oaths
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWe must grow in personal integrity, providing a witness for the truth to those around them, not needing the crutch of an oath to guarantee our integrity.
The Holiness Code
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughA portion of Leviticus, dubbed 'the holiness code,' describes how God lives. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus expanded the application of the holiness code.
Impure Language Destroyed
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsPoisoned and perverted language will be destroyed in God's kingdom, when purified hearts will speak a pure language.
Matthew (Part Seven)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJesus, showing the spirit of the law, warns against rash divorces, taking oaths, invoking God's name frivolously, realizing that a covenant is binding.
The Heart's Self-Absorption
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughII Timothy 3:1-5 contains 19 characteristics of carnality. The common denominator is self-absorption and pride, placing the self above others.
Joseph: A Saga of Excellence (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughEven though Joseph was born into a highly dysfunctional family, he nevertheless had a high batting average when it came to making the right moral choices.