Care in usage of our words matters to God. This discipline was of great importance to Jesus for he taught, “I tell you, on that day of judgement people will give account for every careless word they speak, (37) for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Mt 12:36-37). James sat at the feet of Jesus for three years as his disciple. In this focus verse, he appears to reflect on this teaching as he endeavors to offer some final admonitions to the church before closing his letter. He shines a light on a Jewish custom to make oaths amongst one another in way does that attempts to bind God to their promise made and strengthen their credibility with a person whom they made a commitment to. James warns against such practice, “…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 into condemnation.” In other words, God calls us to be honest and truthful at all times with people. Additionally, here are two applicative considerations we can draw from James exhortations:
Practice a lifestyle of keeping your word. If you make a commitment to someone, endeavor with all to keep it. A person who has an habit of integrity in their communications and subsequent actions has no need to cosign God in Heaven to any promise made. It is foolish to believe that God is bound to anything we say in the first place. Additionally, there will be no need to say things like, “I swear on my mother’s grave……such and such…“ as if the dead has any power to effect was goes on among the living.
Faithfulness in your word which aligns with Holy Scriptures reflects the character of God. We should always seek God for wisdom in our decisions and follow what He says. Rarely is making an oath an necessity, with the exception of a judge requiring an accused defendant to take a oath to tell the truth before they give testimony. Unfortunately, this is necessary part of our justice system since men (in our fallen condition) are prone to distort truth, misrepresent facts, and give false testimony by revising sequences of events to escape justice. As a result, an vow to tell the truth is required in court. Why? If it is proven they lied on the stand, they risk being charged with perjury and sentenced to contempt of court. Likewise, James warns that we need to be mindful of our words and commitments in light judgement of God, thus, “but let your ‘yes’ be yes and your ‘no’ be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.”
Remember beloved, heaven belongs to God and we have no authority there. While earth belongs also to God (Ps 24:1), he has granted us free will to obey his commands and imitate his character in our relationships with others. God always delivers on his promise. By the leading of the Spirit, we should do the same by embracing wisdom in what we say and commit to do. Amen.
Blessings,
Dr. Jason S. Price, Th.D.
www.springoflivingwaters.com