Matthew 5:33-37 New International Version (NIV)

Oaths

33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.[a]

James 5:12 The Message (MSG)

12 And since you know that he cares, let your language show it. Don’t add words like “I swear to God” to your own words. Don’t show your impatience by concocting oaths to hurry up God. Just say yes or no. Just say what is true. That way, your language can’t be used against you.

James 5:12 New International Version (NIV)

12 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.

​How many times have you added at the end of your sentence “I SWEAR!”. Or when someone really doesn’t believe your story to make it so that the person believes you “I swear to God! I wouldn’t swear to God if I wasn’t telling the truth. Listen, I’m am guilty. I know I’ve said it a few times because in my head it solidifies whatever I said. I wouldn’t lie on God, right?!? But how sway...Why doesn’t my word hold any weight in the first place. Is it that I have lied so much in the past that now my words are as meaningless as trying to use monopoly money at the grocery store? God instructs us in Matthew 5:33-37 and then follows up again in James 5:12. He makes it clear to not swear on ANYTHING. Not by heaven, earth, etc. Basically don’t swear on nothing he created, which is everything. What this does is hold us accountable. All in all we have to honor God’s word and do as he requested. We have to be honest and tell the truth always. Even if the truth sometimes hurts. When we give our best yes and honest no, we don’t leave any room for doubt or confusion.

Basically, your word alone should be good enough right? But it often times is based on our past actions. People know us. We know ourselves, we know that actions are stronger than words. So how about we use our actions to show our love of God and for others? He tells us that's all we need- no promises, no I swears, because when our actions don't reflect it, then we aren't trusted and our promises are void. People with good intentions make promises, but people with good character keep them. And our character is all we have.