Let Your Yes be Yes and no be no!
Oaths
33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
Reflection: Over the years the phrase "I swear to God" has become popular, as a way to express that someone really means something. They add God to the equation as if that would boost the case for their authenticity. The second commandment gives stern instruction about using the Lord's name and also has a caveat, saying, "God will not hold guiltless those who do so." In Jesus day, people made oaths as a way of sealing promises and covenants much like our modern day contracts. But an oath to God had a special purpose given who it was made to.
So what does Jesus instruct the disciples about this? He says don't do it at all, simply let your yes be yes, and your no be no. If there is not enough integrity for people to trust you at your own word, then there is a problem. In a day where a lot of us are overcommitted and the most valuable commodity is time, these words are very important. Because what happens when we make commitments and break them is it erodes trust with the people around us.
The solution. Before you commit to something think about it. Pray about it. Is this something God would have me do in this season of my life, especially for the greater commitments we make? If you are married talk and pray about it with your spouse to protect your marriage. There is nothing more dangerous to a marriage than two overcommitted people, who don't have time for each other.
Finally, we need to be especially careful to the commitments we make to God. Before we utter a rash vow to God, we should be in prayer and even share with a few trusted brothers and sisters in Christ. Yes and no are powerful words and the best thing we can do is to control when and how we say them with the discernment of the Spirit who guides how we can be maximally aligned with God's kingdom coming here on earth as it is in heaven.
Jesus before we say yes or no, may we check with the Spirit if this is something we should do. Then give us the power to fulfill our vows in Your name. Amen.
33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
Reflection: Over the years the phrase "I swear to God" has become popular, as a way to express that someone really means something. They add God to the equation as if that would boost the case for their authenticity. The second commandment gives stern instruction about using the Lord's name and also has a caveat, saying, "God will not hold guiltless those who do so." In Jesus day, people made oaths as a way of sealing promises and covenants much like our modern day contracts. But an oath to God had a special purpose given who it was made to.
So what does Jesus instruct the disciples about this? He says don't do it at all, simply let your yes be yes, and your no be no. If there is not enough integrity for people to trust you at your own word, then there is a problem. In a day where a lot of us are overcommitted and the most valuable commodity is time, these words are very important. Because what happens when we make commitments and break them is it erodes trust with the people around us.
The solution. Before you commit to something think about it. Pray about it. Is this something God would have me do in this season of my life, especially for the greater commitments we make? If you are married talk and pray about it with your spouse to protect your marriage. There is nothing more dangerous to a marriage than two overcommitted people, who don't have time for each other.
Finally, we need to be especially careful to the commitments we make to God. Before we utter a rash vow to God, we should be in prayer and even share with a few trusted brothers and sisters in Christ. Yes and no are powerful words and the best thing we can do is to control when and how we say them with the discernment of the Spirit who guides how we can be maximally aligned with God's kingdom coming here on earth as it is in heaven.
Jesus before we say yes or no, may we check with the Spirit if this is something we should do. Then give us the power to fulfill our vows in Your name. Amen.
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