Let's Go Back to the Bible

Donuts Are Good, “Do Nots” Are Bad

The wealth of practical teachings for everyday living in Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” is almost limitless for us in our study of this great passage.  Lessons can be gleaned by looking at the text from a number of different vantage points.  It is particularly instructive to see how many times Jesus says “Do not” in this passage.  Consider these sayings in chapters 6 and 7.

“Do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them” (6:1).  In the purity of the Christian religion, kind deeds and acts of thoughtfulness are not to be done to bring attention to the doer but blessings to the receiver.  Jesus was so emphatic about this point that He went on to say again, “Do not sound a trumpet…do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing (6:2-3).  This principle is repeated in regard to fasting (6:16-18).

“When you pray, do not use vain repetitions” (6:7).    Prayers in the life of a Christian are not governed or inhibited by man-made standards of the proper number, length or wording in prayers.  While the Lord certainly gives guidelines for acceptable prayer, we must not make or seek to follow “rules” for prayer that even Jesus forbade.  He went on in the next verse to say, “Do not be like them” (6:8).

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth” (6:19).  Treasures that we can see, touch, spend, use and enjoy now on this earth are the kinds of treasures that are the “easiest” ones to selfishly amass, hoard and love.  However, the treasures of this earth are only temporary; there is nothing permanent or abiding about them!  Daily living that stores up heavenly treasures ought to be our aim!

“Do not worry about your life” (6:25).  In one of the longest sections of this whole sermon, Jesus deals with the matter of anxiety and worry.  He wanted to impress upon His hearers (then and now) so strongly to put their trust in their Father that three times He urged, “Do not worry about your life” (v. 25); “Do not worry” (v. 31); “Do not worry about tomorrow” (v. 34).  Instead, “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” and let God take care of the rest (Matt. 6:33).

“Do not give what is holy to the dogs” (7:6).  There is that which is holy and sacred (i.e., the gospel of Christ), and there are those who make it abundantly clear that they despise it and want nothing to do with it.  Jesus said not to allow the holy gospel to be profaned or tarnished by anyone who would seek to do it harm.  Avoid them.

We can learn much from what Jesus said “Do not” do!