Theme: COMMENTARY ON JAMES CHAPTERS 3 - 5
Text: “But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by the heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.” – James 5:12.
Comment: The Hebrew name of God Almighty is Jehovah, which means “self-existing One or One Who lives of Himself”. This is the name God commanded the Israelites through Moses that they should not take lightly and carelessly. No one should call the name of God to be witness to a lie, to assure people one would keep one’s word whereas one has no intention of keeping the promise or is unable to do so. (Exodus 20:7. See also Leviticus 19:12; Deuteronomy 10:20) As time went on, some of the people started swearing falsely, thereby provoking God to anger. – Jeremiah 5:2; 7:9, 10.
When our Lord Jesus Christ came, he gave a new commandment that worshippers of God should not swear at all, “neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.” He then added, “But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” (Matthew 5:33-37) Thus, whether in the courts or in common conversation, we should pray for the faith to say the truth always and prove that oaths are unnecessary for the Christian.