I plead the 1st Amendment. It is against my religion to swear. I promise in front of the Almighty God to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God.
Actually, Jesus was preaching against making an oath too and not just the swearing that people add to that oath to show their sincerity in performing and finishing that oath. Jesus said why we should not in verse 36.
Matthew 5:[SUP]33 [/SUP]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: [SUP]34 [/SUP]But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: [SUP]35 [/SUP]Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. [SUP]36 [/SUP]Neither shalt thou swear by thy head,
because thou canst not make one hair white or black. [SUP]37 [/SUP]But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
That is what an oath mean; you will do it. Numbers 30:2 cites God's will that those who vow has to do everything they vow to do.
Numbers 30:[SUP]2 [/SUP]If a man vow a vow unto the Lord, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.
So regardless of the lie "so help me God" added to judicial court swearing of that oath, God cannot help any sinner perform or finish their oath.
Indeed, when the court insists that you answer yes or no to specifically to questions given when it is not really a yes or no answer, and if you don't, you will be held in contempt of court and fined, God cannot help you tell the whole truth. So the oath that the judicial court have every one make to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth is unrealistic and evil.
All the court needs to do is have the witness on the witness stand acknowledge the penalty for perjury; for lying on the witness stand, and that he or she is required to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth, but as the court allows it.
Which is the truth for what is going on in the court room.
This is one reason why Jesus spoke against christians making any oath or promises or commitments to God when they are supposed to be relying on Jesus Christ as their Good Shepherd all the time for helping them in living as His & in following Him.
Galatians 5:1Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage....[SUP]5 [/SUP]For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
Philippians 1:[SUP]6 [/SUP]Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:....[SUP]11 [/SUP]Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
2 Timothy 4:[SUP]18 [/SUP]And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Jude 1:[SUP]24 [/SUP]Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,[SUP] 25 [/SUP]To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
That is why it is written that the just shall live by faith; and not by keeping their commitment or promise to do so as if that is the power for living the christian life. Believing in Jesus Christ as our Good Shepherd is the power for following Him.
Jesus has set me free from my commitment and all my yokes of bondages to rest in Him and all His promises to me so I can rest in Him thus relying on Him all the time for the fruits of the Spirit that I need from Him for following Him.