Let Your Word Be Enough

James 5:12

In the American West, it was considered far worse by many to break your word than to kill someone. When a man made a promise, it was assumed that he would keep it regardless of what it might cost him. Even when I was a child, most business deals were sealed by a simple handshake, and a man who broke his word was a pariah no almost one would do business with.

Today, it is considered a mark of good business to hire lawyers to figure out ways to get out of contracts, and the childish “I had my fingers crossed” attitude prevails. People think little of swearing to a statement or contract. Psalm 15 asks, and then describes who will be found with the Lord in the last days. According to Verse 4, one of those who will be there is, “He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.”

The idea of not keeping the word has led to natural men depending on some type of solemn oath to assure commitment. Hebrews 6:16 refers to that attitude. “For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.” The idea that an oath is needed implies an intention of not keeping our word. James says that a simple statement should be enough, and that Christians should not use any kind of oath.

“But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.” (James 5:12)

Jesus himself made a similar statement. Under the law, there was to be no question of fulfilling what one had promised to the Lord. For the Christian, anything more than a simple statement is based on a commitment to evil, and Christians should be holy, not evil. Under the Scribes and Pharisees, The need to fulfill one’s word depended on the oath. Jesus soundly rebuked them for this attitude in Matthew 23:16-23.

“Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.”

It was this attitude that led to Jesus prohibition on swearing in Matthew 5:33-37. Any additions to convince implies the speaker intends to break his promise. We are to exceed the Old Testament standard. Notice how closely this resembles James’ command.

“Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” (Matthew 5:33-37)

It clear this is more important than other commands when James says, “But above all things, my brethren, swear not.” After all, Revelation 21: 8 states, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and ALL Liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”