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The Beatitudes: Adultery, Divorce, and Oaths
June 8, 2019

For the last several weeks, we have been looking at the beatitudes and last week saw how we are to be the light of the world. We continue this week with a look at adultery, divorce, and oaths. We find a deeper understanding of our responsibilities as Christians. Jesus tells us adultery, as does all sin, begins with lust, and that lust is as part of the sin as the sin itself. Our take-away is sin begins with lust. He also tells us to remove ourself from that which might cause us to sin. An extreme example of hyperbole is given with the eye and the arm. As Christians we are to remove ourself from that which might cause lust and sin. From time to time, removing ourself from the cause of sin and lust may involve separating ourself from situations and others who may cause us to have lustful feelings. As we do this we keep in mind this is our problem, not the other person's problem.

Matthew 5:27-30
Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

When contemplating divorce, we need to be mindful of the sin this can cause, and even though the wife is mentioned, it is clear to see that in the example given by Jesus, the husband and other men are clearly to blame. Divorce without significant cause is something to be avoided.

Matthew 5:31-32
It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

Jesus goes on to remind us that we are to avoid oaths that involve swearing by the name of God, or even by our own name. Instead we are to be true to what we say and let our yes be yes and our no be no.

Matthew 5:33-37
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.

As we read the beatitudes we begin to see in many examples how what Jesus teaches is an extension of the commandments of Jesus and God as we walk on our path of faith towards perfection and the Kingdom of Heaven. Next week we will conclude our study of the beatitudes.

All verses are from the King James Version.
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