1. Keep your vow to the Lord (33)

To make a vow or oath to God is a serious matter, so one should not make such a vow in pride or passion. Once Jephthah made a foolish vow (Jdg 11); in order to keep it, he had to sacrifice his daughter. He should not have made such a vow and perhaps he should not have kept it. Once King Saul made a vow which he did not keep. It cost him greatly (1Sa 14:24-46). Some vows should be made. Marriage vows should be made before God and kept with God's help. God swore by himself to keep his covenant with Abraham (Ge 22). God keeps the new covenant made with every believer, for it is sealed in Jesus' blood.

2. Don't swear at all (34-37)

When Jesus says, 'Don't swear at all,' he is saying, 'Don't swear to affirm the truthfulness of what you are saying.' God's people should always tell the truth, so we have no need to swear. We have no power to keep rash vows. Jesus reminds us that we cannot make even one hair black or white. When we say 'Yes' we should mean it; when we say 'No' we should mean it.

Application: Lord, help me to be truthful and sincere.
One Word: Tell the truth