Is swearing a sin? Let’s discuss this important question.
Though cussing, cursing, profanity, and swearing have distinctive meanings, everyday use blurs those differences. In most cases when we use language any of those words describe, it’s a sin. People use them to describe words that are vulgar, offensive, or take God’s name in vain:
“Let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth (Ephesians 4:29).”
This article will examine how the Bible uses the term swearing. Is swearing a sin?
Peter Swore When He Denied Jesus
The disciple (later the Apostle) Peter swore when he denied Jesus three times on the night he betrayed Jesus.
The First Denial
The first time Peter denied Jesus, he simply rejected Him and expected people to believe his testimony:
“The High Priest’s servant women came to him (Peter) and said, “You, too, were with Jesus of Galilee.” But he denied it in front of them all. “I don’t know what you are talking about,” he answered” (Matthew 26:69-70).
The Second Denial
This was an intensified denial. This time Peter strengthened it by swearing that he was telling the truth. ‘Swearing’ meaning that he called God to witness (agree) that he didn’t know Jesus:
“Another servant woman saw him and said to the men there, “He (Peter) was with Jesus of Nazareth.” Again Peter denied it and answered, “I swear that I don’t know that man!” (Matthew 26:71-72).
The Third Denial
The third time, Peter fortified his God-as-a-witness denial in every possible way. He swore again, calling God to certify his sin and this time asking God (in a louder voice this time?) to punish him (calling down lightning from heaven?) if he were lying:
“After a little while the men standing there came to Peter. “Of course you are one of them,” they said. After all, the way you speak gives you away (with a Galilean accent)!” Then Peter said, “I swear that I am telling the truth! May God punish me if I am not! I do not know that man!” (Matthew 26:73-74).
We Should Not Swear by God
Peter Sinned
Peter’s second and third denials show that swearing by God intensifies (supposedly) their statement by making them responsible to the highest being. What he did was make God look culpable in his lie.
During Jesus’ time, the religious leaders tried to get around the guilt of breaking an oath using silly technicalities. Jesus explained the issue:
“You, blind guides! You teach, ‘If someone swears by the Temple, he isn’t bound by his vow; but if he swears by the gold in the Temple, he is bound.’ …
You also teach, ‘If someone swears by the altar, he isn’t bound by his vow; but if he swears by the gift on the altar, he is bound” (Matthew 23:16, 18).
Childish Games
They were like children who cancel their promises by having their fingers crossed behind their backs.
Jesus called them ‘blind fools!’ and asked which is more important? The temple or the gold and the altar or the gift on it? (Matthew 23:17, 19). He said their oath was binding because it involved either God’s house (the Temple and altar) or heaven (God’s throne) because it involved God in some way (Matthew 23:20-22).
Only Speak Truth and Don’t Swear
The Source of Vows
Instead of swearing, a person should have integrity and only speak the truth. Jesus told us:
“Do not use any vow when you make a promise…. Just say ‘Yes’ or ‘No’—anything else you say comes from the Evil One” (Matthew 5:34, 37).
So, is swearing a sin? As a rule, Satan is the author when humans intensify their promises with an oath.
Not All Oaths are Sinful
Godly Oaths
However, not all oaths are evil. Taking an oath in court is good practice. And even God took an oath to keep His promise:
“When God made his promise to Abraham, he made a vow …. Since there was no one greater than himself, he used his own name when he made his vow…. When we make a vow, we use the name of someone greater than ourselves, and the vow settles all arguments…. God wanted to make it very clear that he would never change his purpose; so he added his vow to the promise” (Hebrews 6:13, 16-17).
God wouldn’t have had to make a vow (oath) because He fulfills all His promises.
Summary
***In everyday use people may call cussing, cursing, and profanity swearing and those are sins.
***The Bible usually uses swearing to refer to oaths or vows which people make to (supposedly) strengthen the truth.
***Peter swore to call on God to witness that his lie was truth.
***The Jewish leaders of Jesus’ time thought they could cancel their oaths by playing childish word games.
***Jesus said not to use any vow when making a promise because Satan is the author of that practice and we should speak the truth.
***However, not all oaths are evil.
Is swearing a sin? Swearing by anything when making a promise is a sin.
