A Simple Yes or No Will Do
Photo by Florian Schmetz on Unsplash
“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’
But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all… All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” (Matthew 5:33-34, 37 NIV) [see full text in button/link below]
The problem with our oaths
Years ago, the ACLU summoned me for a deposition in a lawsuit against the school district where I pastored. I prayed at a high school graduation, which prompted an injunction against our school district. It was one of the last times prayer or the mention of God was allowed at a public high school graduation in the state of California.
As the deposition started, I was sworn in with my hand on a Bible. I chuckled at the irony of this, and the school district’s attorney told me the ACLU was going after that, too. Nowadays, people are allowed to make an affirmation of truthfulness rather than swearing an oath with their hand on the Bible.
The whole process of someone being sworn in at a court proceeding stirred controversy long before the existence of the ACLU. It may surprise you, but a sect of Christians, known as Quakers, stirred up this controversy much earlier. They interpreted Jesus’s teachings as a prohibition against swearing oaths.
This can be a matter of conscience or become a legalistic concern. Perhaps the real question ought to be, “Why would Jesus speak against the swearing of oaths?” I remember childhood ways of insisting that we tell the truth. Things like, “I swear on a stack of Bibles,” and “cross my heart, hope to die.” But why do we do such things? 1
Why do we need to add some type of oath to affirm what we say?
Insights
People make promises. People break promises. Some truly intend to keep their promises, but don’t because of circumstances beyond their control. Then others make promises with no intention of keeping them. This could range from a promise to be faithful in a relationship, a warranty, or making some commitment in a business deal. The result is the same. Trust is broken.
This broken trust reflects upon the character of whoever made and broke a promise. It breeds a general mistrust of others, even when the person might be trustworthy in other ways. When making a promise through some form of an oath sworn to bind us, we appeal to someone or something greater than ourselves. We do so to provide some assurance that we will keep our word.
As with other portions of the Law, Jewish rabbis and leaders found ways to get around certain restrictions of the Law. The OT Scriptures make clear that any oath is binding and unalterable. 2
If you make a vow to the Lord your God, do not be slow to pay it, for the Lord your God will certainly demand it of you and you will be guilty of sin. (Deuteuronomy 23:21 NIV)
So, instead of making oaths by the name of the Lord, oaths were based on supposedly lesser standards to verify a promise. According to this interpretation, making an oath based on a lesser standard wasn’t as binding as swearing by the Lord’s name. This hedging of promises, this attempt to create a legal loophole for oaths, is what Jesus addressed.
Redefining the Nature of God’s Kingdom
Trust is hard to gain, but easy to lose. Think of whom you trust, especially people with whom you’d trust your life. What makes them trustworthy?
Generally, we trust people who prove themselves worthy of our trust. It’s not just what they’ve done, but who they are. They have a quality of character and a sense of integrity. They are honest, good, and reliable. Their word is good. This is what Jesus meant when He said—
“Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” (Matthew 5:37 NIV84)
Anything beyond, yes or no, suggests our uncertainty, or worse, our lack of integrity. When we qualify our yes or no, it’s like saying, “I’m not sure you can trust what I say.” If someone is evasive and uncertain when they tell you something, or can’t give you a straightforward yes or no, it’s as if they’re telling you, “Don’t trust what I say.”
Now, more than ever, we long for honesty and trustworthiness in people. And others expect and want the same from us. We live in a cultural climate of duplicity, deception, and cynicism. Imagine how dramatic a change it would be if those with whom we interact in life, and people in leadership, were honest and trustworthy!
It starts with you and me. Each of us is responsible for letting our yes be yes, and our no be no. We, especially followers of Jesus, are called to be an influence for good. Our example of integrity and our trustworthiness of character will have a ripple effect on those around us.
Stand firm in your trust in the Lord by simply giving a yes or no without qualification.
Reflection
Imagine how dramatic a change it would be if those around us, those we interact with in life, and people in leadership, were honest and trustworthy! It starts with you and me. Each of us is responsible for letting our yes be yes, and our no be no.
Prayer Focus
When you find yourself wavering in commitments or promises and the need to give direct answers, ask the Lord for confidence and discernment. Ask the Lord to keep you from making promises you can’t or won’t keep. And ask Him for the integrity of character needed to be honest.
Footnotes–
Wikipedia contributors. (2024, November 24). Testimony of integrity. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testimony_of_integrity
ShelleyECochran. (2009, October 1). Witnessing to integrity in an untruthful world. Friends Journal. https://www.friendsjournal.org/2009106/
See Exodus 20:7; Leviticus 19:12; Numbers 30:2; Deuteronomy 23:21-23
This is an excerpt from a soon-to-be-published book called The Heart and Soul of God’s Kingdom. Look for it on Amazon with my other books— Trip Kimball on Amazon
