Every time I hear someone say, “Let me be honest with you.” or “I’ll be honest with you.” red flags go up in my mind. It makes me think that their previous comments may not have been honest or truthful.
On several occasions individuals have said to me, “I swear on the Bible I’m telling you the truth.” That comment also bothers me. Why did they feel compelled to make that comment? Did they think I had a reason to believe they were lying to me?
Scripture tells us that we should not take an oath when we are communicating with others.
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. (James 5:12 ESV)
If you need to swear (take an oath) to convince others you are telling the truth, what does that say about your speech?
All of your speech should always be truthful and trustworthy.
Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. (Ephesians 4:25 ESV)
Your speech should always be gracious.
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (Colossians 4:6 ESV)
Your speech should always be wholesome.
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29 ESV)
If your speech is always truthful, gracious, and wholesome there should be no reason to swear (take an oath) to convince others that you are telling the truth.
How can you put “Let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no” into practice?
- Do what you say you are going to do.
- Be where you say you are going to be.
- When you respond to an RSVP telling the host that you will be attending their event, attend the event.
- When you agree to meet someone at a set time, be at the meeting place on time.
- When you agree to “get back” with someone in the next day or two, follow through with that commitment within the next 48 hours.
- If you tell someone that you completed a task, be sure the task is completed.
- When you share information with someone, be sure the information is accurate.
- Mean what you say.
Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment. (Proverbs 12:19 ESV)
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