Wednesday October 5, 2022

Today is Wednesday, October 5 and we are praying through the teachings of Jesus found in the fifth chapter of Matthew’s Gospel.

New every morning is Your love, great God of light, and all day long You are working for good in the world. Stir up in me the desire to serve You, to live peacefully with my neighbors, and devote this day to Your Son, Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen. (Presbyterian Worshipbook, adapted)

Pause and Pray

Here I am, Lord Jesus, I sit at Your feet to learn God’s kingdom ways. I know You are always working for good in my life. You want the best for me and the best for the people I love. Open the scriptures and teach me how to find life, joy and peace each day. Amen.

In the morning I turn to the Lord and seek His blessing with the words of Psalm 24.

Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift up their souls to what is false and do not swear deceitfully. They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from the God of their salvation. Psalm 24:3-5 (NRSV)

Pause and Pray

Throughout Matthew chapter five, Jesus is not just giving moral commands he is teaching an entirely new way of being human. Today we consider what Jesus has to say about integrity, honesty and truth-telling in every circumstance. This admonition is about keeping our promises and honoring God with our words. Our speech has both positive and negative possibilities. The words we type or speak have the capacity to affirm truth, clarify, inform, strengthen, uplift or encourage. The words we type or speak also have the capacity to cloud the truth, exaggerate, provide a double meaning, falsify information, fabricate or be dishonest. We should “tell it like it is” letting our “yes be yes” and our “no be no.”

Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Matthew 5:33-37

What Jesus teaches in the Sermon on the Mount about speech and swearing is a deepened understanding of the third of the Ten Commandments – you shall not take the Lord’s name in vain (or misuse God’s name). Most things people regularly swore by in the casual speech of Jesus’ day could be traced back to God. So it is better for me to think before I speak, mean what I say and learn that when it comes to speech less is often more. Extra words might cloud the truth or weaken my integrity. Christians should be holy in all manner of speech and conduct – never using the name of God or Jesus irreverently or carelessly, not having a habit of using swear words, cursing others or uttering words that cause harm.

Ask: How careful am I about my choice of words, whether I am speaking, typing, texting, or posting on social media? Am I a person who “keeps my word” and honors my promises?

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord Jesus, put a bridle on my tongue and a guard over my mouth. Keep my speech pure and my words honest and true. Examine my heart for any impurity and let my conversation reflect all that is good, right and beneficial for others. Let my ‘yes be yes’ and my ‘no be no’ as you have instructed me. I read Matthew again, listening for the message You have for me today.

Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Matthew 5:33-37

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

Jesus is my teacher this morning and the Holy Spirit is my guide. I consider what God might want to reveal to me today about my habits of speech and the various influences on my manner of conversation. Is my speech holy and are my words honest? Whatever stands out to me today, I consider what God might want to reveal about my words and promises. I carry this throughout my day attentive to my conduct in all circumstances and my speech in all conversations.

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus Christ, I invite you to walk alongside me today to hear the words I speak in conversation with others and read the words I communicate on every platform. Make me attentive to the power of my words to do good or cause harm in each situation. Remind me what it takes to keep my word and honor the promises I make to God and others. Amen.

Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned. James 5:12

I tell you, on the day of judgment you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter. Matthew 12:36 (NRSV)

As I leave this time of prayer, I go to speak the truth, and share words of hope and kindness with everyone I meet.

Amen