James 5:12 - Say What You Mean; Mean What You Say

In the next few verses as James closes out the letter, he gives a series of directions, not necessarily commands, but advice on living together in the Christian family of believers. This is the first of a series instructions that end the letter, on how to live while waiting for Christ’s return

He deals with:

• honesty and reputation (v. 12); 
• praying for the sick in health and circumstances (vs. 13-15); 
• prayer for those who are struggling in their faith (vs. 16-18); 
• and helping those who struggle in their faith to return (vs. 19-20).

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12 “Above all, my friends, do not use an oath when you make a promise. Do not swear by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Say only ‘Yes’ when you mean yes, and ‘No’ when you mean no, and then you will not come under God's judgment.”

Let Your Word Be Your Bond

V. 12 - “above all” - James is saying, “In addition to all the issues just discussed in this letter, include the following in your life in Christ.”

“Do not use an oath” - This is not about foul language, but appealing to a ‘higher power’ to guarantee a promise. It seems that it had become a common occurrence for someone to say, “I swear by all that is holy that I will…” or, (I swear by God that what I said is the truth.” It had become a Jewish custom of swearing oaths, unnecessary and improper; basically using God in an oath appeals to His involvement.

Here is an example of ‘swearing’ from our court system: “Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?” (I think in our degraded society, this question is no longer asked, especially using a Bible and the name of the Lord.)

I got the following from a commentary by Matthew Henry: “The true nature of an oath is, by our speech, to pawn the reputation of some certain or great thing, for the averring of a doubted less thing; and not (as is commonly held) an appeal to God or other judge."

Don’t use God, His Name, or His Son as a guarantor of your commitment or pledge. Your personal reputation must be evident to those around you based on the way you act and live. There should be no question when you say you will do thus or so. “You said it, that settles it.” (Note 1) A handshake is all the contract needed because you are trustworthy.

How is this different than praying in Jesus' name? An ‘oath’ is asking a higher power to guarantee the result. Asking in “Jesus’ Name” is appealing to God’s grace and mercy based on the price Christ paid for our sins. For that reason alone, we should be aware to not use Jesus’ Name when asking for frivolous things, for wants and desires and pleasures. I do not mean it is a sin to ask for ‘wants’ to be fulfilled, but God is not a piggy bank to be raided to get what I want.

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Note 1: I think that is a quote from an old Walter Brennan TV series “The Guns of Will Sonnett”.