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What Does The Bible Say About Oaths And Pledges?

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What Does The Bible Say About Oaths And Pledges

What Does The Bible Say About Oaths And Pledges? Unlike other questions which are easily answered with a yes or no, that on whether a Christian should join fraternities/sororities is a little challenging to answer. However, it is challenging but not impossible to answer. As Christians, we have the Bible which is our standard for life and it will definitely give us elements of answers to this question. In this piece of writing, we’ll be looking at many things surrounding or governing sororities/fraternities. It is important to understand that we are not saying that all sororities/fraternities fit all of the items we mention. As it is the case with anything else, a Christians should always closely examine a group before he/she makes any commitment to it. It is important to research and know what sorority/fraternity life involves and requires.

Still, on finding elements of answers to the question of whether Christians should join fraternities/sororities, we should first ask why a Christian would want to join a fraternity or sorority. It is without a doubt that motives in God’s eyes are important (1 Samuel 16:7). Depending on the motivating reasons behind a person’s heart desire to join a fraternity or sorority, different issues come to the forefront. If a person desires to join a fraternity or sorority because they have the best parties, the Bible says that such a lifestyle should belong to one’s unsaved past, not in the present life of a believer in Jesus Christ (1 Peter 4:3). The Bible tells us that we are New Creatures in Christ – the old has gone and the new has come. As new creatures in Christ, our new lives should reflect God’s glory and not that of the world.

What Does The Bible Say About Oaths And Pledges?

What The Scriptures Say

Going deep into why a person might want to join a sorority/fraternity, we are likely to find the issue of pride. This happens when a person wants to join a fraternity/sorority because membership is a status symbol. The Bible clearly and repeatedly encourages humility both in life and in the choice of a person’s companions (Romans 12:16; 1 Peter 5:5-7), exhorting us to live even as Christ lived. And on several occasions, the Bible points to pride as sin and as something God hates (Proverbs 6:16-19; 8:13; 11:2; 16:18; Daniel 4:37; 1 Peter 5:5; 1 John 2:15-17). Another alarming problem with joining a fraternity/sorority is the exclusivity that such a group embodies. Some pledges or oaths made to join some fraternities/sororities bind members to unreasonable levels of devotion, restricting them from helping members of other groups academically or in other ways.

Christians have been commanded by the Lord to help “the least of these.” Behold, it’s difficult and almost impossible to obey this command after pledging allegiance to a group that distances itself from others or sees itself as above them. In such a sorority/fraternity, how can you love your neighbor as you love yourself when he/she is not a member? Remember Jesus’ command in John 15:12: “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” As Christians, we’ve been called to love others as we love ourselves. Matthew 22:39 says, “And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” How then can we obey this commandment when pledging sorority requires that we treat nonmembers of a group differently? As Christians, we are not to look at ourselves in any way better than others. Rather, we should see and treat everyone with love.

More facts

As Christians or followers of Jesus Christ, our closest relationships should be with Christians and not based on external ties such as belonging to the same fraternity/sorority, coming from the same social class, having the same body color, coming from the same race, or having gone to the same school (Galatians 3:28; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; 12:24-26; Galatians 6:10; John 13:34-35). Most colleges have branches of Christian organizations as well as good local churches that have college ministries to help young people come to know Jesus Christ and grow as His disciples. These Christian groups and their members should be sought after as the core group of friends while one is away at college.

Sincerely speaking, whom one has as his/her closest companions is a major issue in Scripture whether they are fraternity brothers, roommates in a dorm, or classmates. 1 Corinthians 15:33 says, “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character’.” Likewise, Proverbs 13:20 says, “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.” In addition, Psalm 119:63 says, “I am a friend to all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts.” With this in mind, anyone desiring to join a fraternity/sorority should give it a second thought. In this process, bring everything to God in prayers and submit your thoughts to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Pledging Sororities

Today, many professing Christians are involved by one way or the other in a fraternity or sorority. However, the main question still holds. That is, should you, as a Christian, be involved in such organizations? If you are already in a sorority/fraternity, this is a question that you probably asked yourself before pledging to join. Let’s look at what the Bible says about pledging so that you can figure out for yourself an answer. But before we move ahead, it’s important to understand that the secret orders would disagree with us and would even argue that they aren’t doing anything satanic, evil, or demonic. They are more likely to promote the saying that it is an organization that supports brotherhood and sisterhood as well as helps to secure employment and others.

Fraternities/sororities believe that you do not need all the facts before making a decision on whether or not to join them. You don’t get all the facts until after you become a member of these organizations. That’s why they are sometimes referred to as “secret societies.” All fraternities/sororities require the swearing of oaths as a prerequisite prior to initiation. Scriptures teach about the swearing of oaths in Matthew 5:34-37 – “But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: 35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. 36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. 37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.”

More Truths About Fraternities And Sororities

Members of fraternities and sororities form strong social attachments that can last a lifetime. God’s Word, the Bible, clearly warns us against becoming attached to people who are not submitted to God, because they will likely lead us astray and make us wander far away from the Christian faith. Truthfully speaking, a deep look at the practices at fraternities and sororities points to many ungodly rituals and pledges that corrupt our spiritual heritage as Followers of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 6:14 says, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” Likewise, Colossians 2:8 says, “Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.”

How To Break Off Spiritual Attachments To Sororities And Fraternities?

Truthfully speaking, many lives are held in captivity these days by the Devil due to past or current involvements in evil practices promoted by sororities/fraternities. If you desire to break off every attachment to such groups, know that Jesus Christ is the Solution. Romans 10:13 says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” It is important to understand that whether you joined a sorority or fraternity “for fun” and cannot remember all the secret rituals, songs, and oaths, you would have already created ungodly idolatrous attachments which you pledged to honor for life. And behold, this gives Satan a foothold to replace God’s rightful place on the throne of our lives with his demonic spiritual powers. Thankfully, the Almighty God is merciful, faithful, and loving so much that if we Sincerely Repent and confess before Him, He will free us from these ungodly attachments.

  • Sincerely repent of pride and lust after knowledge, elitism, or making ungodly pledges or oaths, participating in ungodly belief systems, practices, and creeds as well as kneeling before idolatrous altars.
  • Call on the name, power, authority, and blood of Jesus Christ to renounce evil names and oaths/pledges as well as all known and unknown covenants established with the prince of darkness.
  • Completely cut all spiritual ties with the prince of darkness or his agents. (2 Corinthians 6:14).
  • In the name of Jesus Christ and by His Power and Authority, destroy all sorority or fraternity objects (Deuteronomy 7:5-6).
  • Renew your mind with the Holy Spirit or the Good News of Jesus Christ, Son of God.
  • Seek counselling from Christian spiritual leaders (James 5:15-16).
  • In the name and power of Jesus Christ, expose this spiritual deception employed by the prince of darkness to lead many away from their Creator and God (Ephesians 5:11).

What Does The Bible Say About Oaths And Pledges?

Leviticus 5:4 – “Or if anyone utters with his lips a rash oath to do evil or to do good, any sort of rash oath that people swear, and it is hidden from him, when he comes to know it, and he realizes his guilt in any of these;“

James 5:12 – “But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.”

Ephesians 5:11 – “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.”

1 Peter 1:22 – “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,”

Hebrews 13:1 – “Let brotherly love continue.“

1 Peter 2:17 – “Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.”

1 Peter 3:8 – “Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.”

Group 1 – What Does The Bible Say About Oaths And Pledges

2 Peter 1:7 – “And godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.“

2 Thessalonians 3:15 – “Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.”

1 John 3:17 – “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?“

Revelation 1:1 – “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,“

Matthew 6:1-34 – “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. ...”

Group 2 – What Does The Bible Say About Oaths And Pledges

Revelation 22:13 – “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

Luke 1:46-47 – And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,”

1 John 2:9-11 – “Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.”

Numbers 6:1-27 – And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When either a man or a woman makes a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the Lord, he shall separate himself from wine and strong drink. He shall drink no vinegar made from wine or strong drink and shall not drink any juice of grapes or eat grapes, fresh or dried. All the days of his separation he shall eat nothing that is produced by the grapevine, not even the seeds or the skins. “All the days of his vow of separation, no razor shall touch his head. Until the time is completed for which he separates himself to the Lord, he shall be holy. He shall let the locks of hair of his head grow long. …”

Group 3 – What Does The Bible Say About Oaths And Pledges

Zechariah 11:17 – “Woe to my worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May the sword strike his arm and his right eye! Let his arm be wholly withered, his right eye utterly blinded!”

Matthew 5:33-37 – “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.”

Galatians 5:19 – “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,”

Ecclesiastes 8:1-17 – “Who is like the wise? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed. I say: Keep the king’s command, because of God’s oath to him. Be not hasty to go from his presence. Do not take your stand in an evil cause, for he does whatever he pleases. For the word of the king is supreme, and who may say to him, “What are you doing?” Whoever keeps a command will know no evil thing, and the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way. …“

Group 4 – What Does The Bible Say About Oaths And Pledges

2 Corinthians 6:13-18 – “In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also. Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, ...”

Psalm 91:1-16 – “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, ...”

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