Washington DC On January 20th, the 58th Inauguration Ceremony will take place. The day is full of traditions, including the swearing-in Oath, the primary purpose of the day. This oath is the point at which Trump swears to “faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States” and “preserve, protect and defend” the US Constitution.
What is an Oath? According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, an Oath is a “formal calling upon God or a god to witness to the truth of what one says or to witness that one sincerely intends to do what one says”. The Cambridge dictionary defines an Oath as “a serious promise that you will tell the truth or that you will do what you have said.”
What does God say about Oaths?
James 5:12 “But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yes be yes; and your no, no; lest you fall into condemnation.”
Trump is going to take an oath while putting his hand on the very book containing the Words of God that command against taking an Oath. As a result, according to God’s Word, he will fall into condemnation.
Irreverent Use of God’s Name
As a further insult to God, many Presidents have followed the Oath with the statement “So help me God”. Is God going to help someone that is doing something that He specifically commands against? No!
During the Inauguration, no less than six different religious leaders will be involved through readings, invocations and a benediction. Will any one of these leaders read James 5:12 or Matthew 5:34-37? No, they will not. They do not know God’s Word.
There is a second definition for an oath in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary and it refers to the use of a swear word, specifically “an irreverent or careless use of a sacred name”. When Trump puts his hand on a Bible that contains the Words of God and “swears”, his oath is a careless disregard of the most sacred Name, specifically the Name or Authority of God.