Integrity

 Matthew 5:33–37 (ESV): 

33 “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.’ 34 But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil. 

God expects those who follow, honour and respect him to live with integrity - to say what they mean and mean what they say, then get on and do it. This is not in a harsh or a cruel way, but honesty is important.

When people make oaths or ‘pinky promises’, they are only made when trying to convince someone else that they will definitely do something. If that is required to guarantee your action or inaction, why wouldn’t your general words be enough? Have you become a person who is unreliable, or is it just the cultural norm to make promises to assure your word? Whichever is true, God says that your response should, “be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’”. There is no need to complicate or over promise things. If you intend to do something say you will, if not, say you won’t, then fulfill your word. Simple! This should give the hearer all the assurance they need. Yet, in a broken and evil world and society, often assurance and promises are sought. People may want a further verbal guarantee “do you promise?”, “pinky swear?”. Do not fall for that, just let your word be enough. As a man or woman of God, you are to not live as the rest of the world does, but as people whose word is their guarantee. People often want a promise because they recognise that people are unreliable and lack integrity. So make sure that your words are trustworthy and true. Then people can grow to rely on you and see that you live to a different standard, one that emulates and demonstrates something of who God is. It is simple, let your yes be yes and your no, no. As you practice not making oaths and still completing your word, over time your reliability and integrity will be demonstrated. People will realise that you are someone that can be trusted without extensive words or swearing on someone’s life etc. Even if you become known as someone who avoids the cultural norms, you will become a person of integrity and trustworthiness, demonstrating something of the God you serve. 

When you think about it, making such oaths is just words added to words anyway, so what really is the point of them?! These additional words are meant to guarantee what you say, but what makes them any different than a yes or no? It is just people's emphasis and expectations that different words have different levels of intention. So Jesus says, let your word be enough. Do not worry that people seem dubious or offended if you do not make the promise. Just get on with speaking the simple truth and honour God through carrying out what you have said you will. 

It is also important to maintain integrity when you make an assurance to God. Jesus says, ‘you shall not swear falsely, but perform to the Lord what you have sworn’. God sees and hears everything, remember that! The things said in front of others and the things said in secret. So, if you are convicted to promise God something, be sure to complete your word. Only make a promise to God if it is within your power to do it. Then put in the effort and fulfill your word. Making a promise to God is a bid business, for how can you let a holy, righteous God down? He will keep His word to you always, so ensure you keep your word to Him. 

Making an oath to anyone, God or human in serious. Even if it seems like a simple guarantee. In some ways, living a life of faith is simple, but it does not mean it is easy. So be mindful of what you agree to even in your everyday conversations. Consider your words and assurances to God and to man. Only agree to things you can and will do, and build your reputation as person of integrity, honesty and reliability, just like the God you follow.