Today’s exhortation – yes or no!
There’s something some of us may be unaware of that has consequences on our lives and it’s a simply saying “yes or no.” The Lord doesn’t take it lightly like we do when we make promises we can’t keep or say no when it’s yes! It doesn’t matter how sincere we’re when we make the promise, if we fail to keep it, it’s not okay to Him. The bible says, “Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.”(James 5:12). Sometimes we may sin and say to God in all sincerity, “I promise I won’t do it again” and then the next day, we find ourselves doing it again. We’re not to do that!
In fact the bible says “If you make a vow to the Lord your God, do not be slow to pay it, for the Lord your God will certainly demand it of you and you will be guilty of sin. But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty. Whatever your lips utter you must be sure to do, because you made your vow freely to the Lord your God with your own mouth.”(Deuteronomy 23:21-23). The Lord Jesus Himself said, “Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.” (Matthew 5:37). Have a blessed weekend. Amen
Francis Hans-Jorie