Anything More Than Yes or No is of the Evil One - Santosh Poonen - April 20, 2014
http://rlcfchurch.org/anything-more-than-yes-or-no-is-of-the-evil-one River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
Jesus teaches that oaths are unnecessary because one's statement should simply be 'yes' or 'no,' as anything beyond these two words belongs to the evil one. This principle restores the original standard of God's law, emphasizing that the command to love and not lust or get angry is not a new standard but a return to what God always intended for humanity. Jesus' words correct loopholes that people had used in the law to excuse sin.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
What does Jesus teach about oaths and statements in Matthew 5?Jesus commands believers to make no oaths at all, letting their statements be simply yes or no, because anything beyond that comes from the evil one.Matthew 5:33–37
The contrast between man's lying nature and God's absolute truthHuman beings inherit a deceitful nature from the fall, whereas the defining characteristic of God is that He cannot lie.
How seriously does God view the sin of lying?Scripture highlights lying as the very first sin committed on earth by the devil, appears twice in lists of things God hates, and is explicitly grouped with major sins whose practitioners remain outside God's city.
Moving past the old covenant allowance for hardness of heartUnder the law, God permitted certain allowances due to human hard-heartedness, but the New Covenant and the presence of the Holy Spirit leave believers without excuse.
Lying to the Holy Spirit through hypocrisyAnanias and Sapphira demonstrate the danger of hypocrisy by pretending to give everything while secretly holding back, illustrating how seriously God judges lying to the Holy Spirit.
Claiming fellowship while walking in darknessJohn warns that those who claim fellowship with God while willfully walking in darkness or ignoring His commandments are practicing falsehood.1 John 1:6
Claiming to love God while hating a brotherFailing to love fellow believers while professing love for God is another form of lying to the Holy Spirit.1 John 4:20
Putting aside the old self and stopping interpersonal lyingBelievers are repeatedly commanded to strip away the old lying nature and speak truth in their daily interactions as they are renewed into Christ's image.Colossians 3:9–10
Practical areas where careless lying creeps inThe speaker points out everyday examples where believers may compromise, such as signing false statements, cheating on taxes, making casual promises without intent to keep them, and habitual lateness.
Rejecting Satan's false escapes and turning to ChristSatan uses the trap of lying as a false escape from tight spots, but Christ offers the true way of deliverance and transforms our hearts when we repent and surrender.
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