“But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” Matthew 5:37

The tradition of making resolutions for a new year dates back to ancient Babylon. It was connected then with the New Moon, which signaled the end of the winter season.

Roman emperors managed to manipulate the calendar enough to get the event out of sync with the moon, finally declaring in 153 B.C. January 1 as the New Year.

Greeks used a baby to symbolize the rebirth of their wine-god Dionysus as far back as 600 B.C.

All these celebrations centered on pagan ceremonies of pantheistic or polytheistic systems of worship, and the early Church fiercely fought these sensual revelries. However, by the Middle Ages, many of the pagan festivals and gods had been “Christianized” by various missionary efforts.

Thus, by the twelfth century, most of Europe had integrated many of the pagan celebrations into Christian “holy days.” That battle between the “traditions” and the effort of Christians to focus their families and churches on worship of our Lord continues today.

Christmas and Santa Clause, Easter and the bunny, Valentines Day and Cupid, Halloween and masquerades, Groundhog Day and Phil’s Shadow, Fourth of July and Parties, Labor Day and drinking and finally, News Years Day and false vows to name a few.

Today, as we face the tradition of “resolutions,” we should remember what what God says about our “conversations”:

“For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.” II Corinthians 1:12

“But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Ephesians 4:20-24

“For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” Philippians 3:20-21

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?” II Peter 3:10-12

Jesus Christ Himself, spoke these words of warning to all followers of Jesus Christ:

“Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” Matthew 5:33-37

Let’s always be careful of our motives for the words we speak – to the unbeliever who may see our foolish vows as a means to mock Jesus and to our fellow brothers; infringing upon the Holy Spirit’s control of our day to day living by silly vows that cannot be kept!

  • Share/Bookmark

Random & Related Post