Let Your Yes be Yes

In the real world, men are constantly politicking and positioning themselves to protect themselves and increase their power within their social and economic worlds. To do this self promoting work, we use our words. To achieve our ends, we sacrifice our integrity and the honor of our words.

We are living in a world where empty promises are becoming a norm. It is common to see people say what they don't mean. Statements like, “I’ll be on time!”, “I’d love to do that!”, “I don’t mind!” and “I love you!” are typical catch phrases that are so abused right now that we typically question the motive of anyone who chooses to use them.

To be followers of Jesus, we must not be like the world in how we build up self with our words and our boasts. Jesus gives us a good pointer in Matthew 5:32-72:

"Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one."

To be a follower of Jesus our entire perspective on how we speak and why we speak must experience a conversion. Our words are to reflect the truth and to be used to communicate the truth humbly. Never are our words to be used to deceive or to manipulate. Such a transformation of our speech is central to the life of a follower of Jesus.

In sum, let us walk in truth and speak the truth in love.

Be Blessed.