Get it in writing and make sure you read the fine print. These are the words of caution that are recommended when entering a deal with just about anyone these days. Did you get a contract and what does the contract say is the first question when something goes wrong. This type of legal action is because people are generally untrustworthy. In the Biblical era oaths and swearing were a common place promise. In the book of James 5 12 he writes but “above all” do not swear. Above all James writes nearing his conclusion 5 12 wants the reader to understand that making promises will make a man out to be untrustworthy.
James and Jesus on the Same Page
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
James is echoing what Jesus told to the disciples.
“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 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 5:33-37 ESV
Let your Yes be yes and your no be no. This seems simple enough. What is the meaning from James when he says above all in 5 12? To answer that we need to look a why people take oaths and swear to promises in the first place.
I Promise I Swear
When I think of someone making promises I think of the movies. There is some shady character trying to convince the good guy that he is on their side. “I promise” you can trust me. On my mother’s grave I promise. By all that is Holy I promise. Why do are the oaths needed? Because the character of the person is broken.
Untrustworthy
When I think of someone making promises I think of the movies. There is some shady character trying to convince the good guy that he is on their side. “I promise” you can trust me. On my mother’s grave I promise. By all that is Holy I promise. Why are the oaths needed? Because the character of the person is broken. Well maybe just maybe they will do what is right this time. But the audience knows that the actions always betray the words.
Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight. Proverbs 12:22 ESV
The same is true of life. If you constantly lie and cheat for your own selfish gain then you will be forced to swear and make oaths. This is an abomination before God. James meaning in 5 12 is that above all else the character of the Christian witness can never be confused for someone wholly untrustworthy because they never act faithfully. If you say Yes then do it.
Legal Loopholes of Cheaters
Jesus always had harsh words to the Pharisees and on this topic of swearing and oaths the he came directly at them.
“Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred? Matthew 23:16-17 ESV
In the days where James wrote 5 12 the point was to make sure Christians did not act like the untrustworthy legalist. If you are not trustworthy in deed and your mind is full of lies then you have a reputation. Anyone wanting to make a deal would then demand you give an oath. Not unlike we see in the movies. The Pharisees turned these oaths into a sport where they would see if they could make a non binding promise and get out of whatever the other party thought was being promised. Imagine being such a horrible person that you might brag about swindling others. Jesus calls that person a fool.
No Established Trustworthiness
In today’s society of contracts and lawyers we need these promises because we don’t really know the people, we do business with. I need a contract to lease a building or take out a mortgage. People sign promises when they borrow money. Who can you trust? Not many people. Some might even say they remember the days of a handshake and a man being as good as his word. I think that is the meaning of James 5 12. As Christians you should be a pleasure to work with. The other person should be able to sleep well at night knowing they can trust the deal they made with you because you represent God himself.
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV
John MacArthur holds James 5 12 out to its own as part of his outline of the book and labels it “The Test of Truthfulness.” Above all are you going to be truthful before God and man? If so then all you need is a yes or a no and if legally required a contract.
