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Unleashing the Power of My Words

“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil. MATTHEW 5:33-37 ESV

JESUS TEACHES THAT:

GOD WANTS ME TO KEEP MY WORD

“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ MATTHEW 5:33 ESV

When I say I am going to do something, I do it.

When I commit to something, I finish it.

GOD DOESN’T WANT TO BE DRAGGED INTO MY LIES

The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth. PROVERBS 12:22 NLT

But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. MATTHEW 5:34-35 ESV

“Do not bring shame on the name of your God by using it to swear falsely. I am the LORD. LEVITICUS 19:12 NLT

THE EASIEST WAY TO SPEAK THE TRUTH IS TO KEEP IT SIMPLE

And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’;… MATTHEW 5:36-37 ESV

The bigger the promise, the more likely the lie.

When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise. PROVERBS 10:19 BSB

LYING GIVES THE DEVIL POWER IN MY LIFE

Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil. MATTHEW 5:37 ESV

For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does… He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. JOHN 8:44 NLT

SPEAKING THE TRUTH WILL:

RELEASE ME FROM A TON OF STRESS AND ANXIETY

(Jesus said) …the truth will set you free.” JOHN 8:32 NLT

BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE

“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old,… But I say to you,… MATTHEW 5:33-34 ESV

STRENGTHEN TRUST WITH PEOPLE WHO KNOW ME

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. JOHN 14:1 NLT

HELP ME BECOME MORE LIKE JESUS

Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. COLOSSIANS 3:9-10 NLT

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Find a quiet space to reflect with God. Take a few deep breaths and invite Him to guide your time together. Jesus teaches us to let our “Yes” be yes and our “No” be no. In other words, to be a person of our word. Are you known for being a person who keeps their word? Do you struggle to fulfill promises or speak half-truths? Ask God to help you be real with self and make an honest assessment of your words, promises, and commitments. Consider how your relationships have been affected by lies–whether spoken by you, someone else, or by the father of lies, the devil. Fear, pride, or shame can sometimes make telling the truth harder. In what ways do you feel that struggle? Ask God to help you identify the root of the issue, then confess that to Him. As disciples, we are becoming more like Jesus – a faithful, truthful, promise keeper. Ask Jesus to show you a truth you need to speak or a promise you need to keep. Commit to being someone who keeps their word and fulfills their promises so that your life becomes a greater reflection of Jesus. Jesus said, “the truth will set you free” (John 8:32b NLT). How could choosing honesty create freedom in your life by releasing stress and anxiety, building self-confidence, or strengthening trust in your relationships? Be mindful of opportunities to be honest with yourself, God and others this week. As you end this time, thank God for His faithfulness to you. This week, take an intentional step to speak truthfully, keep your word, and reflect God’s faithfulness to those around you.

Discussion Questions

For our Matthew series, we’re offering two options for discussing the sermon and Scripture. Choose option A or B to guide your group’s discussion time.

(A) The R.E.A.L. Bible Study Method:

1. Read the Passage. Start by reading Matthew 5:33-37 (NLT) out loud.

2. Explore the Theme. What is the main point or theme of the passage? What does this passage reveal about God and/or humanity?
Consider these other passages in your discussion: Proverbs 12:22, Proverbs 10:19, and John 8:32.

3. Ask God. How do we apply these passages to our lives today? How might God be encouraging or challenging you?

4. Live It Out. What prayerful and specific action will you take based on these passages?

(B) Choose a couple of questions from each section below to discuss as a group:

  1. START HERE: How does it feel when someone breaks their word to you?
  2. START HERE: Read Matthew 5:33-37 (ESV). What does it mean to be a person of your word, and in what way do you find that principle most tested in your life?
  3. START HERE: When was a time someone’s honesty (or dishonesty) completely surprised you?
  4. KEEP GOING: Read Proverbs 12:22 (NLT). How do lies impact our relationships with God and people?
  5. KEEP GOING: Read Proverbs 10:19 (NLT). When have you seen too many words lead to trouble? How could pausing before speaking help you?
  6. KEEP GOING: Read John 8:32 (NLT). What are the real benefits of speaking the truth, even when it’s difficult?
  7. LIVE IT OUT: Is there a conversation you’ve been avoiding because it requires honesty? What would it look like to approach that conversation with both truth and love?
  8. LIVE IT OUT: How can you personally work toward creating or supporting a culture of honesty in your relationships or workplace?
  9. LIVE IT OUT: If you struggle to honor your commitments, what is one step you could take to be more reliable this week?