Do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” (James 5:12)
Expanded Passage: James 5:12
My grandpa was a wise and godly businessman. He started working at a print shop when he was young, sweeping and cleaning up around the building. He was faithful with the role, and he eventually worked his way up to lead pressman. Later on, he had the opportunity to buy the shop, so he got a bank loan and did so.
He would tell me how getting a bank loan was different back in his day. Bankers, he would tell me, used the three Cs of credit to determine if a person was eligible for a loan: cash, collateral, and character. Financing is vastly different now. Your reputation plays little into getting a bank loan. But in my grandpa’s time, bankers were able to rely on their gut to determine whom to lend money to.
My grandpa was a man who was known as someone who would never walk away from responsibility. Even if a rough patch did happen, his reputation was one of honor—he would always find a way to meet his obligations, and bankers knew that. James was invoking this sense of honor to those reading his letter. We ought to live our lives in a way that those around us don’t need an oath for our follow-through. Our reputation, as followers of Jesus, should be that our word is as good as gold. No swearing required.
Live your life so people trust you.
Stephen Simpson is a graduate of Wesley Seminary (IN). He has served at Wesleyan churches—in one form or another—since childhood.
© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
