[revival-fire] Oaths

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Dear Friends:   I once knew a man that would make people swear by their own "life blood" that what they were saying was true or as a promise to do something. If the person refused to do it, he would believe them to be dishonest. I fell in to the snare of such a vow with him (out of fear of what he would think of me if I did not) and am just now truly SEEING the full picture of the damage of such a thing. This article has helped me walk through my freedom and repentance. I hope it will help others to be aware of the snare, and/or become free as well.   Love, Cherstin "Cher  "Jiron       OATHS But above all, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but let your yes be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment. James 5:12 The Jews in James' time had many ways of swearing. They were careless in their speech in everyday conversation. They swore by heaven, by hell, by the temple, etc. in order to make a point in how strongly they felt about an issue. What arrests me as much as anything in today's scripture is the way James introduces the subject. He said, "Above all else that I have addressed so far in this letter to you, here is what I want you to know about swearing." That puts this subject high on the priority list. Jesus also addressed it in fifth chapter of Matthew and again in chapter twelve. "By your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." Matt. 12:37 There are three kinds of swearing. When I'm in distress as a child, I can say all kinds of things beginning with an "I swear." They're called inner vows. "I swear I'll never trust a man. I swear I'll never be poor. I swear I'll never bring a child into this world and make him suffer the way I did. I swear that no one will do that kind of thing to me again. I swear I'll never forgive her." These vows direct a person's life like a set of railroad tracks. Once spoken, they are binding unless renounced. I also swear (make an oath) when I join many organizations. Sororities, fraternities, civil groups such as Eastern Star, Masonic Temple, Shriners, etc. All are joined through an initiation process where oaths are taken. Innocent people put themselves (and their families for generations) in bondage because they fail to see the seriousness of their words. To swear an allegiance to anyone on penalty of death and/or bodily harm is becoming a prisoner to the words. At the time, this person can just believe that they are speaking frivolous words to join a club. Jesus didn't agree - nor did his disciples. Swearing by mentioning the very name of Jesus or God is of the worst kind. How easily someone is damned or commanded to go to hell. Yet, if we could see the kingdom of darkness with our own eyes at this very moment, we either wouldn't want anyone going there. I shouldn't be naive enough to believe that when I swear against someone, I am not actually doing them harm. Words are never without consequence. Good or bad. Every one of us has sworn falsely. What can be done after the fact? Repent for the words. Ask Jesus to cover them with His blood and save you and your loved ones from their consequences. Erasing their effects is easy through prayer yet not cheap. Forgiveness for sin, including my words, cost Jesus his life. Because of that, I hate sin - because it was sin that separated me from God in the first place. Life is so dark, so hopeless, without connection to Him. The light and glory of His presence is my joy today. It changes everything - down to the last word I choose to say. Forgive me for ever believing this kind of teaching was nit-picking. If you addressed it, Jesus, I align my priorities with yours. Holy Spirit, may every word spoken be yours today. Amen Christine Wyrtzen www. daughtersofpromise. org

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