But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment.
James 5:12
As we conclude our look at James, we are reminded that, as believers, we are to be honest and straightforward with others. As James says, “our yes is to be yes, and our no, no.” James is merely echoing what Jesus had already taught concerning this area of life:
Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil.
Matthew 5:36-37
When Christians speak, we are to do so in a way that creates stability in the hearer. A believer in Jesus Christ should be a person who can be counted on in his/her attitudes, motives, speech, and behavior. So let’s conclude with a look at three areas in which we should be straightforward with others.
- Affirming what we believe
Christians should know exactly what it is that they believe. This belief is always dependent on the truth found in scripture but is also experienced as we walk with Christ. When we affirm a certain spiritual fact, it is because we have sufficient evidence in scripture to support such a claim. To affirm our belief in scripture is to affirm the Person of Jesus Christ. Because the Bible is the authority on everything pertaining to life, we can let our “yes” be “yes” and our “no”, “no” as we evaluate various statements regarding the faith. If a declaration is consistent with scripture then we can affirm it. But if the statement contradicts some or all of scripture, we must reject it.
- Affirming our lifestyle
As Christians, we should also be consistent in our lifestyle. This does not mean that we will not fail, merely that when we do, we recognize it, confess it, and move on in the forgiveness and power of God. Although we are still subject to temptation, we can choose to live in such a manner that is pleasing to God. In other words, our lifestyle should be consistent with our confession. When people encounter us, our lives should be a testimony to the saving power of Jesus. We should be able to affirm our choices based on what God’s Word has to say about certain actions. We should also be able to reject certain activities in our lives based on the same. So in whatever we do or do not do, we should be able to affirm our lifestyle as one that is consistent with God’s will.
- Affirming others through love, grace, and mercy
In addition to affirming our beliefs and our lifestyle, we should also be able to affirm others as well. When we treat others just as we would want them to treat us (Matthew 7:12), we are demonstrating the truth of God’s Word and edifying others, even if they do not acknowledge the Bible as the Word of God. Demonstrating love, mercy, and grace in the face of opposition will get people’s attention since this type of behavior is not consistent with the nature of mankind. We should be ready to explain as to why we are able to avoid much of the drama that seems to surround the lives of so many people. Resting in the finished work of Christ brings peace, joy, and stability. Let’s be ready to affirm our beliefs and our lifestyle through our treatment of others. This honors God and opens up opportunities for us to share the truth of the gospel.
To be known as someone who is honest, dependable, and sincere is truly a blessing. This kind of reputation honors God and is the best evidence we can give for the presence of God in our lives. Let’s move out in total faith in Christ, bringing with us spiritual stability for all who we might encounter!
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