MONDAY February 3, 2020

Be a Person of Your Word

But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.
James 5:12

This verse seems to be out of place, but James places this statement right here as another exhortation to put into practice in our Christian lives. He knew integrity was important. Yet how many times have Christians failed to keep their word to each other? Believers who run businesses can make promises, but do they keep them? Christians should keep their word––let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No.” What is a sinful habit of those in the world? They often swear to God. Yet as a Christian, you should never do that.

Interestingly, James essentially repeated what Jesus had taught His disciples in the Sermon on the Mount Mathew 5:33-37):

“…it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.”

Seriously, keep what you have promised to someone. If you have given your word or have shaken hands in a pledge, God will hold you to it. As a child of God, do what you have said. Honor your word. A Christian’s word should be their bond; otherwise, people will not trust you. Be a man or woman of your word.

Another area of integrity is to pay back what you borrow. Listen, even if you send in the minimum payment on a debt, you are keeping your word to pay, and then you will be known as a man or women of your word.

In our manner of speech, our plans of living, our dealings with others, our conduct and walk in the church and out of it—all should be done as becomes the gospel.
~Albert Barnes~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!