Are you known as a person of your word? (Matthew 5:33-37)

Matthew 5:33-37

New Living Translation (NLT)

³³ “You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’ ³⁴ But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne. ³⁵ And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. ³⁶ Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black. ³⁷ Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.

Oaths, or vows, were common, but Jesus told His followers not to use them - their word alone should be enough. Are you known as a person of your word? Truthfulness seems so rare that we feel we must end our statements with, "I promise." If we tell the truth all the time, we will have less pressure to back up our words with an oath or promise.

Joe