October 29, 2025 | Be God's Family
Let Your Yes be Yes
Scripture: James 5:10-12(NIV)
10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
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.
Devotional
When I was a little girl and living on my grandfather’s farm, I often accompanied him to the bank or grocery store. It was always fun going with him knowing that at the end of his business dealings, he would buy me an ice cream cone to eat on the way home. One thing that I remember was his shaking hands with men when completing their business deals. I believed they all knew he was a “man of his word.” They acknowledged when he said he would do something, he would. He never made or gave empty promises to anyone. I always admired his honesty and integrity in his dealings with neighbors or family.
Jesus teaches His followers to be honest in their speech and to keep their promises and warns them that dishonesty will always be found out. He teaches us not to swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let our “yes” be yes, our “no” be no, and “anything beyond this comes from the evil one” (Matt. 5:37).
I remember when I was young, I would “cross my heart and hope to die,” indicating I was telling the truth. Maybe you did, too. Also, some might swear they are truthful by saying, “I swear on my mother’s grave.” But James reminds us that our word should mean something. When we say something, people should know that we speak the truth. Since God’s Word calls us to be “people of integrity, then we should strive to do so. If we do not strive to do so, that raises the questions about our relationship with God” (fbcbartow.org).
In Ephesians, Paul teaches Christians to live a life worthy of the calling we have received (4:1). And speaking the truth in love, he admonishes us to put off our “old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore, each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body” (Eph. 4:22-25). James simply tells us when we say “yes,” it should mean “yes.” When we say “no,” it should mean “no.” That's it!
So, the questions for each of us to consider today:
“Am I a person of integrity?”
“Do others perceive me as being a person of my word?”
Poem
Humble Intentions
Proverbs 12
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 12:21
“Yes, yes, yes”
And “No, no, no”
Spoken vows
And “Maybe so”
What a crop
Of weeds we sow
When unchecked vows
We scatter
“If the Lord wills
I’ll be there”
“If the Lord wills…”
Do we dare
Make great plans
Though unaware
Of our future
Station
In your heart
Intentions be;
But life’s future?
God’s to see
Humble then be
‘Bout your plans
Realize they’re
In God’s hands
