Matthew 5:33-37 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 5:33-37 on biblegateway.com
Verse 33"Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.' Verse 34But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, Verse 35or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Verse 36And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Verse 37Let your word be 'Yes, Yes' or 'No, No'; anything more than this comes from the evil one.
Devotion
I'll swear on a stack of Bibles! "I swear to God!" "Cross my heart and hope to die; stick a needle in my eye!" Have you ever heard anyone say something like that to try to convince you they are telling the truth? Too often it is because it is really a lie. The Internet has only exacerbated the problem with 'viral urban legends' and deceitful advertising.
Jesus gets right to the heart of the matter. You don't need to swear by anything - in heaven or earth. Let your word simply be true, always. Let your "Yes," be yes, and your "No," be no. Anything else is from the devil.
It stands to reason, doesn't it? This is a very practical teaching. We would all rather do business with someone who is honest. May those of us who claim the name of Christ be honest and true in all things.
Prayer
A prayer from Psalm 19:14:
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. Amen