When I was a kid, there were times when oaths were sworn. The oath of all oaths was the blood brother oath. Each kid would cut his palm and then shake on it. I did this once…it did not feel good. That’s when I resulted to a form of oath that was just as binding, but much less painful…the spit handshake. The two people would come to an agreement, then spit on their palm and shake on it. This was as binding as any contract in our world.
While childhood oaths may seem amusing, the Bible takes the matter of keeping our word with utmost seriousness.
Being a Person of Integrity: When Your Yes Means Yes
Christ as Our Example of Faithfulness
Jesus gave us a profound yet simple standard for communication in Matthew 5:37: “Let your yes be yes and your no be no.” This straightforward command was later echoed by James, showing its fundamental importance in Christian living. The principle challenges us to live with such integrity that our mere word is sufficient without elaborate promises or oaths. Just as Scripture is perspicuous (clear and precise) in this teaching, we too should be clear and precise in our commitments.
In ancient times, people often resorted to oath-taking to validate their statements, implying their regular words weren’t trustworthy enough. This practice could lead to manipulation, where individuals might try to technically circumvent their sworn declarations through clever wordplay. Sadly, this practice has not been confined to ancient times.
The Danger of Empty Promises
Before we say “yes” to anything, we must carefully consider the weight of our words. We must be thoughtful about the promises we make. This doesn’t mean we should avoid commitments altogether, but rather that we should be mindful of our human limitations and the strength of habitual patterns in our lives. The author of Ecclesiates warns of this (Ecclesiastes 5:4–6).
The Power of God's Oath
Scripture teaches us to be particularly careful about making hasty promises. Solomon warns in Proverbs 20:25, “It is a snare to say rashly, ‘It is holy,’ and to reflect only after making vows.” Consider these questions before making a commitment:
- Do I have the resources (time, energy, ability) to fulfill this?
- Am I making this promise under pressure?
- Would this commitment honor God?
The beauty of Christian integrity lies in its simplicity – our “yes” should mean yes, and our “no” should mean no. This isn’t about legal oaths in courtrooms but about our daily interactions and promises. Our reliability in everyday matters should reflect God’s trustworthy character.
Making and Keeping Commitments
In our complex world of contracts and agreements, let’s stand out by being people whose simple word can be trusted completely. This kind of integrity not only honors God but also provides a powerful testimony to others. Remember, it’s better to carefully consider and say “no” than to hastily say “yes” and fail to deliver.
As James 5:12 reminds us, “Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple ‘Yes’ or ‘No.’ Otherwise you will be condemned.” Follow God’s word in this area and you won’t have to spit in your hand.
