Morning Moments

JAMES Devotional Outline

V. Miscellaneous Messes 5:1-20
A. External Pressue 5:1-12
1. Treasure 5:1-3
2. Treatment 5:4-11
a. Exploitation 5:4
b. Existentialism 5:5-6
c. Exhortation 5:7-11
3. Truth 5:12

5:12. 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.

One who speaks the truth need not take an oath to the truth he/she speaks, but an oath makes no difference to one who lies. The text is not referring to profanity by to the taking of an oath, as one might do in a court of law to assert or affirm the truthfulness of testimony or statements. Jesus dealt with the matter in Matthew 5:34-37 -

5:34. But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: 35. Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. 36. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. 37. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

This was what taking God's name in vain was all about. We will give an account for every idle word (2 Cor 5:10) and so it is important that the tongue, as well as the whole body be surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. We have been gifted of God to speak, preach, teach, share, but we must be responsible for what we say and how we say it. External pressures can sometimes influence our presentation of the truth and we must be aware of the danger.

Think of it this way: If someone we naturally would not care for challenges our statement or presentation of truth or testimony, would we respond with the same love and gentleness and understanding as we would an innocent child or loved one? The pharisees often sought to trap Jesus and to rattle him, but He always remained calm and responded with truth and never swore to the truth He was speaking. His yes was yes and His no was no.

EXAMPLE: "I'm telling you the truth." "No way!" "I swear by so and so or on so and so am telling you the truth." DON'T DO IT AT ALL!!!!
BLESSINGS!