Skip the Oath

“This is what the LORD has commanded. If a man vows a vow to the LORD, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.” (Numbers 30:1-2)

Oaths and promises expose the weakness of our word. Our commitments lean on the crutch of binding promises only because our “Yes” and “No” cannot stand on their own. 

There is no need to say “honestly” if you are always honest.

There is no need to say “I promise” if your words are true.

There is no need to say “Trust me” if you are trustworthy.

Oaths were allowed under the Law because the heart was unmoved. But what the Law could not touch, the Spirit transforms. With a new spirit, he enables our speech to rise to a higher standard.

“And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.” (Matthew 5:36-37)

Let your words stand on their own—naked and alone. 

From time to time, the elements of testing will expose your words as false. But it is better to let humbling revelations of dishonesty strengthen your future word than pad your commitments with tiers of trustworthiness.

When Jesus says “Yes” to God’s promises, we trust him to the full. He could not be our Savior if we second-guessed his word.

Christ is forming a people whose hearts reflect his purity—whose “Yes” and “No” are as strong as an oath. 

Skip the oath and tell the truth. Those who speak with integrity need no added guarantee.