The Life and Ministry of Jesus
“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one. Matthew 5:33–37
It is not easy to be a totally truthful person today, but it is necessary for the church and the world. The world longs for freedom from dishonesty! Sure, it cultivates deception and promotes it, but deep down people long to escape the show and pretense. Many look eagerly to believers to display the honesty and integrity for which they so long.
Our integrity as followers of Christ can make all the difference to a dying world. “The avoidance of one small fib … may be a stronger confession of faith than a whole ‘Christian philosophy’ championed in lengthy, forceful discussion.”8 When people know that you do not lie, your testimony will have more effect than all the theology you could ram at them. What a difference a truthful life can make! 1
Personal Encouragement
You will never have to take an oath promising “to tell the whole truth” if you are a person who tells the truth. If you are a truthful person, you will become a person of integrity.
Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. Psalm 51:6
The best testimony of a Christian, is living out the truth, truthfully.
A Prayer
Lord, thank You for being the Truth. Make me more like You with every word I speak.
1. Hughes, R. K. (2001). The sermon on the mount: the message of the kingdom. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
