Devotionals

Daily readings to encourage your heart and mind in the pursuit of God and his glory.

  • Jesus’ Teaching on Oaths

    Matthew 5:33–37

    Jesus’ teaching leads us to conclude that it is better not to make a vow than to swear an oath that we have no intention of keeping. It also reinforces the point that oaths and vows should not be made ...Read More

  • Sacred Oaths and Vows

    Numbers 30:1–2

    This quote from William Shakespeare All’s Well That Ends Well captures an important insight: “‘Tis not the many oaths that makes the truth, but the plain single vow that is vow’d true.” Sacred vows are not to be taken carelessly, ...Read More

  • The Word of a Man

    James 5:12

    Dr. Sproul says that one of the chief differences between us and the Lord is our penchant for breaking promises, while He always fulfills His promises. Think today of a promise you may have not yet fulfilled and then go ...Read More

  • The Third Commandment

    Exodus 20:7

    It is often said that the way we talk about God in everyday conversation is more revealing of what we think about Him than anything else. Take some time today to consider how you use the Lord’s name. Do you ...Read More

  • Vows and Proper Intent

    Matthew 5:33–37

    Matthew Henry writes that “the frequent requiring and using of oaths, is a poor reflection on Christians, who should be of such acknowledged fidelity, as that their sober words should be as sacred as their solemn oaths.” Believers are to ...Read More

  • The House of God

    Genesis 28:18–22

    Calvin writes that in order for a vow to be lawful and pleasing to God, “it is first necessary that it should tend to a right end; and next, that men should devote nothing by a vow but what is ...Read More

  • Keeping the Pledge

    Ecclesiastes 5:4–5

    We are foolish if we think that we can make a lawful vow and then not pay it. God regards our oaths as sacred and will hold us accountable if we break them. Take some time today to consider the ...Read More

  • Lawful Oaths and Vows

    Exodus 20:1–17

    Do you flippantly use the Lord’s name in conversation without even thinking about His majesty or holiness? What about the process you go through before you commit yourself with a vow? Do you consider the situation carefully or do you ...Read More

  • Occasions for Oaths

    Genesis 15

    The fact that God swore an oath when He initiated the Abrahamic covenant demonstrates that oaths are appropriate when we make life-regulating agreements. Remarkably, society has always recognized this through things like marriage vows, ordination vows, and, to a lesser ...Read More

  • Idolatrous Oaths

    Deuteronomy 6:13–15

    If you were to ask people what it means to take the name of the Lord in vain, most would probably say that it involves some kind of curse of the name of God. However, anytime we swear an oath ...Read More

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