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anglican devotional

The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 20 March 2025 — Do Not Swear At All

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TOPIC: Do Not Swear At All

READ: Matthew 5:33-42 (NKJV)

  1. ” Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’
  2. “But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne;
  3. “nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
  4. “Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black.
  5. “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.
  6. ” You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’
  7. “But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
  8. “If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have [your] cloak also.
  9. “And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
  10. “Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.

THE MESSAGE:

Jesus took time to teach His disciples the difference between Old and New Testament principles for daily living. To swear falsely or break an oath was forbidden by the Law because it was the same as taking the name of the Lord in vain (Exodus 20:7). Jesus commanded His disciples not to swear at all, by anything in heaven or on earth. People swear to prove their innocence in a case or make their promises certain. However, in Christ, our ‘Yes’ should be yes and ‘No’ a no indeed! We must exhibit the virtues of truthfulness, faithfulness and honesty in our relationship with God and man.

Verses 18-42 of our text deal with the issues of retaliation or ‘paying back’ – an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth! The world system even approves it – men and women often say in Pidgin “Do me, I do you, God no go vex.” In Christ, we are instructed not to repay evil for evil, but to overcome evil with good and even pray for your enemies (Romans 12: 17, Romans 12:21). This instruction is difficult for the natural man but the new man can rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to forgive and love the unlovable. Will you allow the love and forgiveness of Christ to flow through you to those who have wronged you? You will exhibit the nature of Christ if you obey!

PRAYER: Lord, help me to always overcome evil with good and be Your disciple indeed, Amen

PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY’S DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
DATE: THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2025
TOPIC: DO NOT SWEAR AT ALL

  1. Father in the name of Jesus, thank You for the grace to see this new day, the seventy-ninth day in year 2025 in good health, sound mind and in joy
  2. Father, thank You for the special gift of life, many wished to see this month, but they couldn’t.
  3. Thank You Jesus for being there for us, Your children.
  4. Thank You Lord for Your plans for me this year. They are plans of good, not of evil, to give me a good and successful end.
  5. Father, please forgive me all my known and unknown sins, and let no sin reign over my life this year, in Jesus’ name.
  6. Father, teach me Your principles for daily living, in Jesus’ name.
  7. Holy Spirit, help me not to swear at all, by anything in heaven or on earth, in Jesus’ name.
  8. I receive grace to exhibit the virtues of truthfulness, faithfulness and honest in my relationship with God and man, in Jesus’ name.
  9. Help me Holy Spirit to overcome evil with good and even pray for my enemies, in Jesus’ name.
  10. Holy Spirit, help me to have a deep, flourishing and an unbroken relationship with God, in Jesus name
  11. LORD, help me to get my life right this year, and let Your perfect will be enforced on me, in Jesus name
  12. LORD, help us to get it right in Nigeria, and let Your perfect will be enforced on us in Jesus’ name.
  13. Heavenly Father, let Your peace continue to reign in every part of this country,
  14. Whether the devil likes it or not, I will make heaven and receive my eternal rewards in Jesus’ Name.
  15. This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
  16. Personal and family prayer requests.
  17. Confession: God bless the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), God bless the Universal Church, and bless our country Nigeria -1 Chronicles 17:27.
  18. Thank You Lord for answered prayers, in Jesus’ Mighty Name we pray. Amen.
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