Let Your ‘Yes’ Be ‘Yes’

Sun. 6/29/2008

Matthew 5:21-37

Key verse: 5:37

“Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”

Read verses 21-26.  The sixth commandment says, “You shall not murder” (Ex 20:13; Deut 5:14.  What more did Jesus have to say about this commandment (22)?  How are anger and murder related?  Why is anger a hindrance to coming to God (Eph 4:26; Mt 18:32-35; Mk 11:25)?  What should we do about it (23-24)? 

Read verses 27-30.  The seventh commandment says, “You shall not commit adultery” (Ex 20:14; Deut 5:15).  What more did Jesus say about this commandment (28)?  How can your eye or hand cause you to sin?  What shows the seriousness of sin?

Read verses 31-32.  How does Jesus view divorce?  What does this say about the commitment of marriage?

Skim through verses 33-37.  What does verse 37 tell us about the importance of keeping our word?  Give an example of when you have said ‘Yes’ to something, but not kept your word.  Is there anything you shouldn’t do, but have trouble saying ‘No’ to?