James 5:12 / Am I trustworthy?

The author Ayn Rand once said:

“An irresponsible person is a person who makes vague promises, then breaks his word, blames it on circumstances and expects other people to forgive it.”

There are few things more damaging to a relationship than broken promises, especially from those you love and respect. Your dad says he will be home before dinner to throw the ball around together, but he ends up working late. Your boss promises you a raise next quarter, but when it rolls around, he acts like he never said anything. Your best friend promises she will keep something confidential, but then tells it to other people anyway. 

Broken promises have the potential for great pain, and if severe or frequent enough, can cause an irreversible break in trust. 

That’s why the author of the book of James wrote this:

12 But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

Now, is James saying that we should never swear or make an oath? No. 

God used oaths multiple times throughout Scripture to reinforce His commitment to someone or something. 

Oaths and swearing by them are not the issue James is addressing. He is talking about breaking promises. He wants us to be so faithful and consistent in what we say and do, that a simple yes or no should be enough for others to trust us. 

Unlike someone who breaks promises, our yes or no means something. There should be no need to swear about anything because we are a trustworthy people and when we say we will show up we do, and when we commit to giving something, we do, and when we promise to keep someone’s confidence, we honor them by staying true to our word. 

There are not many relationships that operate well without trust. Being a trustworthy person matters.

So as James says, let your yes be yes and your no be no. Do what you say you will do, even when it’s not convenient. And as you do, you will model to a watching world the trustworthiness and faithfulness of Christ by your actions. 

Blessings, 

Pastor Dave