Speaking Without Swearing - 06/09/2024

When we speak, people should be able to rely on what we say. We should not have to “swear” by anything to convince them that we are speaking the truth. James gives another proverb-like statement to remind us that we should be speaking without swearing (James 5:12).

In many cases, people think that if they swear by something then what they are about to say will carry more weight. It will be more authentic. It will be more reliable; more believable.

James may be remembering something his half-brother Jesus would frequently teach His disciples. Jesus taught His followers we should not swear by heaven, for it is “the throne of God.” We should not swear by “our hair” because we cannot make “one hair white or black” (Matthew 5:33-37).

Over a period of time, people should come to have confidence in what we say. This means that we are always telling the truth. They should be able to trust the information we pass on to them. Someone should be able to say about us, “If he said it, then it is true. I can count on it. I trust him.”

When this is not the case, we are not reliable; people will not trust us. This a basic character trait people want to see in others. Employers want to trust their employees. Customers want to trust the sales representative. Consumers want to trust what they read in a variety of Platforms, including a website, newspaper article or radio broadcast.

Children want to trust what their parents tell them. Husbands and wives want to trust what their spouses tell them. Students want to trust what their teachers tell them. Everyone wants to trust what they are told.

However, when our “yes” is not “yes” and our “no” is not “no,” then it raises doubts in the mind of the listener. They must decide if we are telling the truth. This puts stress on them and the relationship. When the stress level reaches a certain point, then people will conclude they cannot trust us and they will not pay attention to what we have said.

This will cause problems at work, in the family, at school and any other environment where we are interacting with people. If we are not telling the truth, our words are not reliable, then when we speak to someone about spiritual matters, they will not listen to us either. We have no credibility.

As we consider this statement by James, Christians need to develop the consistent practice to always be telling the truth without having to swear by something. Practicing speech without swearing will allow people to see we are daily living God’s way. - cgm

Scriptural quotations from the NASB1995.