All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’
Summary: Swearing an oath is dangerous, especially if you are swearing to do something in the future.
I’ve written over three hundred thousand words on this blog and very few of them, if any, are “yes” or “no.” Am I doomed?
Fortunately, no.
First, I know the Lord Jesus Christ, my Lord, and Savior. (John 14:6)
Second, there is the matter of context. What was Jesus talking about when he said this? As it turns out, Jesus was talking about oaths.
When people are elected to public office they often have to take an oath of office. This oath requires them to swear to uphold their official duties. High officials will swear on the Bible or some other document that represents a higher authority.
Jesus says no, don’t do it. Under the old covenant people were bound by an oath because they were judged on what they did, both by God and people. Instead, Jesus says, “All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” (Matthew 5:37)
The “evil one” is what we ask God to deliver us from (or rescue us from) in the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus is answering the prayer, in part, by telling us to avoid putting ourselves in the devil’s power.
When we make an oath or swear to do something, we bind ourselves before God. If we fail to keep our oath, even if the offense is only in our hearts, we have sinned. Jesus is telling us to avoid this trap.
James repeats this instruction from the Lord in his letter when he writes:
“Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple ‘Yes’ or ‘No.’ Otherwise you will be condemned.” (James 5:12)
Why are we condemned? We lack the power and authority to control the future! God says:
“The Lord knows all human plans; he knows that they are futile.” (Psalm 94:11)
So what should we do? God’s word says:
“To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.” (Proverbs 16:1)
and
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” (Proverbs 16:3)
As a bonus, if the Lord establishes your plans, you can be sure that they don’t include the evil one!
Application: Keep it simple.
Food for Thought: If I say “yes” and then change my mind, is that the same as breaking an oath?
The question of the day might best be answered by considering who our Father is and these passages: Titus 1:2; John 8:44,45; Revelation 21:27. There is, of course, a time to repent of one’s bad decision: Matthew 21:28-32.
JEC,
Thank you for including Matthew 21:28-32! The Parable of the Two Sons points us to the importance of what we choose to do versus what we say we will do.
If I say “yes” and then change my mind, is that the same as breaking an oath?
Usually, no it is not the same, but there are other types of damage from just not being considered trustworthy because you didn’t keep your word.
If you said yes to doing x and another person is relying on you, you cannot simply change your mind, not do it, and be clear of wrong doing. If you will not be doing x you need to communicate (to the person you said yes to) the change and help find someone who will do it in your stead.
If you said yes to liking peas and later decide you don’t like peas, you haven’t done wrong.
I can’t think of another scenario in which one would say yes and change their mind.
But let’s look at God Himself. In Exodus, didn’t he say he would destroy Israel for worshipping the calf and start over with Moses? But He didn’t do that, is that breaking His oath? No, it was not an oath. Nor was his idea to start over breaking an oath, since He would still use Moses, one of Abraham’s descendants to create the nation. Moses convinced Him that starting over was not a good idea.
Saying yes and changing your mind is also not lying. But, a liar could try to use that as an excuse to keep lying since we cannot see others minds. Even if it is a true statement that you changed your mind, I would suggest not making a habit of it or others will assume you are a liar and not trustworthy. Either that or just not able to see anything through to completion.
Since God knows our plans, we should be asking for His help in all of them. Include Him in the process and He can cause them to be completed, or change them into what He wants.
Thank you T&A!
You have presented us with a very interesting illustration with Moses and God!
Thanks! I liked thinking about this one. There are so many different ways to approach it. Even between T and myself. We didn’t have contradictory thoughts, just two ends of a train traveling on different tracks. Mine’s usually the long detour that eventually connects to his shortcut.
01-23-2023, If I say “yes” and then change my mind, is that the same as breaking an oath?
If I invite another person to a restaurant for lunch, we get there, they look at the menu and say, I think I will have breakfast. They have not broken an oath.
Psalm 15:4. Tells us how the Lord views those break or honor their oath. Jesus in Matthew 5:17, supports this biblical principle. Oaths are binding, even when spoken frivolously or privately as part of everyday conversation. A promise is a promise, and there is no loophole in God’s eyes to allow a person to renege on an oath.
Psalm 15:4, The Lord despises a vile person but honors those who fear the Lord; who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind.
Matthew 5:17, Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
Ron,
Reading your words today I am put in mind of the K.I.S.S. principle. Keeping it simple is a great way to avoid trouble and misunderstanding. All other issues aside (and there are lots of good ones to consider) simplicity alone is reason enough to stick with “yes” or “no.”
Interesting topic. Good thoughts in the comments.
I would only add that context and intent are significantly important to this topic.
As I understand it, in Jesus’ day people would take oaths on the temple, or on the altar, etc. Some oaths were considered binding and others were not. This was kind of like something hidden in the small print of a lengthy document in our culture. The goal was to get someone to think you meant one thing when you intend another. It was a form of deceit even though it was not literally a lie.
Similarly, if I said I would do something but didn’t pinky swear it, then it is not binding. This is another attempt to deceive someone while trying to keep an heir of integrity.
In these cases, let your word be your word. Our word should be reliable enough that we don’t need to back it up with other trappings to show sincerity.
Well said Rich! Well said!
Somehow I expected someone to answer the question, “If I say ‘yes’ and then change my mind, is that the same as breaking an oath?” with a “Yes and No.”
🙂
Nobody did!
😊
If I say yes, and then change my mind, is that the same as breaking an oath “Yes and No.”
Thank you for the reminder, I think I can recall thinking that, but I probably forgot to enter it in my post.
Sounds like a “maybe” to me. 🙂
This question threw me for a loop (as my grandma would say). I was raised that if I said “yes” it was a promise and that I should
think about what I am saying yes to and answer yes when I was certain I could fulfil the promise.
So, I had to look up the difference between a promise and an oath. An oath is a solemn promise made before a witness. In the context of our discussion we are talking about making an oath and asking God to be our witness. Essentially saying that if we don’t fulfil that oath, are asking God to intervene. To me, that is putting the cart before the horse: telling God when and how He should act, instead of the other way around.
Also, we think by swearing an oath that we are demonstrating sincerity. But sincerity is something that people have a hard time holding onto through the test of time. The only true sincerity we can hope for is through loving God and loving our neighbor as ourselves. If you look to Jesus, and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance, you will never need to make an oath, as He will let you know when you are in danger of losing sincerity. Thank you God, He does it every day with me.
2 Corinthians 2:17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.
1 Timothy 1:5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
Sorry, that was Chris H. I forgot to put my name on the response (lol)
Chris,
When it comes to “yes” and “no” you were raised right!
Thank you for sharing your insights today!