Words of Wisdom #23

James has taken us deep in examining our attitudes and motivations, and is especially focusing on how bad attitudes and poor motives come out of our mouths. Today we look at just one verse of chapter 5:

12 But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. 

James has made a big deal about being judged by our words. People need to be able to trust us to be honest in what we say - especially fellow believers.  Our faith is grounded in trust in God and His Word. Therefore, when it comes to God's people, we need to be able to trust one another and our words to each other. Any half-truths or twisting of the truth we commit destroys others' trust, weakening the bond of love upon which Christ's body depends.  I'm not sure which is worse: not being able to trust a fellow believer's word or have them not able to trust mine.  It's so important, James has said it's more important than anything else.