Scripture.

“Just say a simple, “Yes, I will,” or “No, I won’t.” Anything beyond this is from the evil one.

Observation.

Jesus goes on to teach about divorce and vows.

In the Old Testament, it was permissible for a man to divorce his wife by simply giving her a written notice. Jesus now says that while this might be the law, the way of discipleship is to avoid divorce, unless a wife has been unfaithful .

In the past, people were required to fulfil vows that they made. The Pharisees found various loopholes rendering vows as unnecessary and deceptive. Jesus says, “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No’. Anything beyond this is from the devil.

Application.

A vow was supposed to be a way of binding a person to fulfil what they had promised to do. To swear on the name of God was, in theory, to call down the wrath of God if you break your promise.

The Pharisees had brought in levels of binding for various vows, making the practice totally worthless. As usual, the burden of this fell on the poor and uneducated people who were prone to being defrauded.

Jesus tells us to be people of our word. If we promise to do something, we should do it.

I recently had some big renovations done on my home. The total cost was ova, $150,000. There was no contract, just the bond of trust that I would pay what was owed and the various tradesmen would not overcharge me.

When we follow Jesus’s commands to follow through with their promises regardless of legalities, everybody benefits.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you require us to live up to the promises we make. Please help me to ensure that I am a trustworthy person in every part of my life. Amen.