People
swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said
and puts an end to all argument. Because God wanted to make the
unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised,
he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two
unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled
to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. Hebrews 6:16-18
In
the English language, “swear” has two very different meanings. To “swear,” meaning to promise and to “swear”
meaning to say obscene things. Obviously
in this case we mean to make a promise.
To
“swear to God,” meaning to make a promise to God as your witness, is okay, but
understand you are saying that you are not lying. If you do lie, you disgrace the name of God
in the process. God cannot lie and you
agree with that when you swear by him.
He will not be happy if you don’t keep your word.
“Swearing
to” something always points to someone greater to yourself. You swear towards a high authority, not down
to something less than you. God swears
to himself since there is no greater authority.
There’s
no need to “swear on my mother’s grave” or to “swear on the lives of my
children.” Why drag them into this? Make a promise with God as your witness and
let your “yes” be “yes” and your “no” by “no.”