WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.339 Good morning, open up your Bibles and join me in the book of James. 00:00:04.839 --> 00:00:07.580 We're getting close to finishing up James. 00:00:07.719 --> 00:00:13.660 ! It's been a wonderful book to walk through, challenging to us all. 00:00:14.339 --> 00:00:20.879 ! While you're turning there, I just want to say thank you to our musicians and our sound people, 00:00:21.059 --> 00:00:24.820 even the people who just bring up the glass of water, which I actually really need right now. 00:00:24.820 --> 00:00:31.100 No applause, but just if you see them later, just thank them for how they served the Lord this morning. 00:00:33.579 --> 00:00:40.259 All right, we're going to be in James 5, and we're going to look at one verse. 00:00:41.600 --> 00:00:45.539 So, James 5, verse 12. 00:00:45.539 --> 00:00:55.780 But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, 00:00:56.299 --> 00:01:04.259 but let your yes be yes and your no be no, so that you may not fall on your condemnation. 00:01:05.079 --> 00:01:06.400 Let's pray on me, Lord. 00:01:06.400 --> 00:01:12.480 We come to this reading of your inspired, holy, inerrant word. 00:01:12.580 --> 00:01:17.000 I pray that it would fall on ears that are receptive today, 00:01:17.660 --> 00:01:21.620 so that you would work your word into our hearts and our souls through your spirit, 00:01:22.240 --> 00:01:25.560 that we would apply it rightly when we go from this place. 00:01:25.980 --> 00:01:27.180 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:01:27.180 --> 00:01:39.500 So, we know that James is a book that's not necessarily about how one becomes a genuine believer in Christ, 00:01:40.060 --> 00:01:43.680 not how one becomes a born-again Christian, 00:01:44.380 --> 00:01:51.260 but it really is focused so much on the primary theme, which is living out one's genuine faith. 00:01:51.260 --> 00:01:57.340 Like, what does real Christianity, what does real Christ-following look like in every day? 00:01:57.620 --> 00:02:00.080 What does authentic faith look like? 00:02:00.120 --> 00:02:05.219 His audience is a primarily Jewish audience who have been converted, 00:02:05.880 --> 00:02:09.700 and it's just a series of related loose homilies going throughout the book 00:02:09.700 --> 00:02:16.879 focused on just faithful, obedient Christian living before God and in the context of the gospel community. 00:02:16.879 --> 00:02:21.359 I don't have this with me, I just didn't want to necessarily waste time, 00:02:21.439 --> 00:02:25.379 but I read in Josephus, a Jewish historian, first century, 00:02:25.620 --> 00:02:30.900 he spoke of the martyrdom of James, the brother of Jesus being stoned. 00:02:31.680 --> 00:02:37.199 And so, if you have any doubt that this guy was devoted to the Lord, 00:02:37.500 --> 00:02:39.840 who happened to be like in the flesh, his older brother, 00:02:40.560 --> 00:02:44.759 he was devoted to the very end and was eventually stoned to death 00:02:44.759 --> 00:02:47.519 for being a witness to Christ. 00:02:48.519 --> 00:02:54.799 Today's section, verse 12, seems to kind of almost feel misplaced, right? 00:02:54.919 --> 00:02:57.340 This sort of falls right there. 00:02:57.419 --> 00:02:59.459 But however, there's three possibilities. 00:02:59.639 --> 00:03:04.280 There could be sort of a combination of one of these or all of these, 00:03:04.359 --> 00:03:08.719 but where does this verse fit in our context so far? 00:03:09.500 --> 00:03:12.919 It could be that he's sort of beginning his conclusion to the letter. 00:03:12.919 --> 00:03:14.719 He says, you know, above all. 00:03:15.219 --> 00:03:16.780 So he's kind of wrapping it up. 00:03:16.839 --> 00:03:18.479 He's trying to land the plane. 00:03:19.459 --> 00:03:23.099 Secondly, he could also just be referring to the sins of the tongue 00:03:23.099 --> 00:03:26.359 because that's been a constant theme throughout this letter. 00:03:26.479 --> 00:03:30.579 How we use our language, what words we say matter. 00:03:30.839 --> 00:03:33.799 How we communicate to other people matters. 00:03:33.979 --> 00:03:36.719 And he just addressed grumbling in verse 9 00:03:36.719 --> 00:03:40.239 since it had been this ongoing theme throughout his letter. 00:03:40.240 --> 00:03:46.540 But thirdly, it could be that James is connecting this verse to the previous verses, 00:03:46.760 --> 00:03:51.260 which have to do with patience through suffering. 00:03:52.939 --> 00:04:00.060 Why do men and women so often take oaths and make big promises to God and to others? 00:04:00.879 --> 00:04:02.360 They do it when they're suffering. 00:04:02.560 --> 00:04:04.040 You ever seen someone do that? 00:04:04.100 --> 00:04:05.700 Like when there's something serious going on, 00:04:05.699 --> 00:04:10.739 they're like, oh, I just, I promise, Lord, if you just deliver me from whatever this is, 00:04:10.780 --> 00:04:12.959 I swear that I will fill in the blank. 00:04:13.699 --> 00:04:16.659 And we do it to friends and spouses alike. 00:04:16.800 --> 00:04:18.920 We make big promises when the heat's on. 00:04:19.639 --> 00:04:21.459 We just want God to rescue us. 00:04:22.099 --> 00:04:24.439 So not perfectly clear this verse falls, 00:04:24.560 --> 00:04:27.159 but it could be a mixture of a lot of those. 00:04:27.160 --> 00:04:34.740 But we're going to have it chopped up into three parts, three points, ABC of this verse. 00:04:34.900 --> 00:04:38.240 But point number one is do not swear. 00:04:39.160 --> 00:04:40.460 Do not swear. 00:04:41.260 --> 00:04:42.020 Verse 12. 00:04:42.860 --> 00:04:50.140 Above all, my brothers, do not swear either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath. 00:04:50.139 --> 00:04:54.599 So he says, above all, especially this. 00:04:54.680 --> 00:04:58.519 That's one of those hermeneutical phrases you need to like zone in on. 00:04:58.639 --> 00:05:00.279 He's like trying to say this is important. 00:05:00.439 --> 00:05:02.000 So listen up. 00:05:02.139 --> 00:05:06.259 Our words and our communication matter because it involves our heart, 00:05:06.319 --> 00:05:09.379 which is of the greatest importance to God. 00:05:09.379 --> 00:05:14.959 James repeatedly has stressed throughout this letter that our tongues, our speech, 00:05:15.120 --> 00:05:19.219 are often what gives others the most revealing glimpses. 00:05:19.220 --> 00:05:21.780 of where our hearts are. 00:05:22.880 --> 00:05:27.500 What a person talks about, their words, their language, their tone that he or she uses, 00:05:28.080 --> 00:05:31.100 exposes in a lot of ways our spiritual condition. 00:05:31.980 --> 00:05:35.700 And so our Lord Jesus taught that over and over. 00:05:36.640 --> 00:05:40.720 What's in comes out, not vice versa. 00:05:41.520 --> 00:05:43.880 In Matthew 12, verse 34, he says, 00:05:43.879 --> 00:05:50.019 For out of the abundance or the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. 00:05:50.620 --> 00:05:53.819 The good person out of the good treasure brings forth good. 00:05:54.240 --> 00:05:57.719 The evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. 00:05:58.399 --> 00:06:00.159 So what's in comes out. 00:06:00.219 --> 00:06:03.639 And it most often comes out in our words, in our languages. 00:06:03.639 --> 00:06:09.620 So he exposes our hearts because it's ruled by our hearts. 00:06:10.459 --> 00:06:12.240 So Jesus also said, 00:06:12.360 --> 00:06:15.180 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart. 00:06:15.360 --> 00:06:17.339 And that defiles a person. 00:06:18.039 --> 00:06:22.039 So again, just that distressing that what's in does come out. 00:06:22.040 --> 00:06:25.120 But that presents a reasonable question. 00:06:25.920 --> 00:06:31.040 Why do people in our world feel the need to, like, make oaths? 00:06:31.360 --> 00:06:32.200 To swear? 00:06:32.700 --> 00:06:37.040 To give their word in some other way? 00:06:37.180 --> 00:06:39.540 Why is there a need to do that? 00:06:40.340 --> 00:06:41.259 You ever thought about that? 00:06:42.620 --> 00:06:44.620 Because, whether you realize it or not, 00:06:44.720 --> 00:06:47.240 both believers and unbelievers are aware of this. 00:06:47.240 --> 00:06:51.400 But there's an awareness of the effects of sin in this world. 00:06:51.860 --> 00:06:56.960 And we know that if less we put pressure on people to keep their word, 00:06:57.180 --> 00:06:59.500 they might not keep it naturally. 00:07:00.079 --> 00:07:00.860 They may bend it. 00:07:00.920 --> 00:07:04.639 So we put pressure on people to speak the truth. 00:07:05.240 --> 00:07:07.360 Because we know that they naturally may not do that. 00:07:08.019 --> 00:07:10.259 Think of some obscene ways, right? 00:07:10.340 --> 00:07:13.860 Maybe even silly ways that we are quick to make oaths with people. 00:07:13.980 --> 00:07:16.060 You see it more with kids and teenagers. 00:07:16.060 --> 00:07:18.420 But cross my heart, hope to die. 00:07:19.300 --> 00:07:21.019 We grew up in the 80s, the pinky swear. 00:07:23.720 --> 00:07:25.079 Shake my hand on it. 00:07:26.120 --> 00:07:28.360 I swear on a stack of Bibles, which is silly, 00:07:28.439 --> 00:07:30.720 because doesn't one Bible say what the other Bibles say. 00:07:33.660 --> 00:07:35.379 I swear on me sainted mother. 00:07:36.319 --> 00:07:40.000 We make all kinds of, like, swears by heaven or by earth, right? 00:07:40.600 --> 00:07:43.560 And we've even said, I swear to God. 00:07:43.560 --> 00:07:48.560 I have not done that since I've been saved, but I used to quite a bit. 00:07:49.540 --> 00:07:51.519 But think about this. 00:07:52.120 --> 00:07:55.399 Many others, like, we attempt to guarantee the truth of our words, 00:07:55.500 --> 00:07:57.420 but we employ oaths. 00:07:58.079 --> 00:08:03.000 It implies that a person may not speak the complete truth unless they are under oath. 00:08:03.540 --> 00:08:06.779 So even just the very practice of that is flawed, right? 00:08:06.779 --> 00:08:11.379 Because it implies there's a lack of truthfulness in everyday speech. 00:08:11.899 --> 00:08:15.899 So let's maybe go through what this verse doesn't mean, 00:08:16.239 --> 00:08:18.099 and then go through what it means. 00:08:19.059 --> 00:08:25.079 So James isn't saying, believe it or not, that taking any oath is prohibited. 00:08:26.079 --> 00:08:31.019 Official oaths were allowed in Israel, but a person was required to fulfill them, 00:08:31.019 --> 00:08:33.699 especially those that involved invoking God's name. 00:08:33.799 --> 00:08:36.220 That's Numbers 30, verse 2. 00:08:36.899 --> 00:08:42.419 And men of God throughout the Old Testament gave oaths because it just emphasized that they were men of truth. 00:08:43.299 --> 00:08:43.600 Right? 00:08:44.500 --> 00:08:45.840 There were covenants made. 00:08:46.799 --> 00:08:50.600 David and Jonathan was a very, you know, well-known one out of the Old Testament. 00:08:50.600 --> 00:08:52.620 The Nazarite vow. 00:08:53.460 --> 00:08:55.040 Israelites who took that vow. 00:08:55.200 --> 00:08:58.019 Numbers 6, verse 21. 00:08:58.899 --> 00:09:02.259 It involved abstinence from wine drinking, not cutting your hair, 00:09:02.600 --> 00:09:06.700 throughout the period of that vow, and didn't have no contact with the dead. 00:09:07.920 --> 00:09:11.320 And actually, John the Baptist was sort of a result of some of that. 00:09:12.279 --> 00:09:19.620 Paul often called God to bear witness of the truth he was writing to different people in the New Testament. 00:09:20.600 --> 00:09:24.960 He called to the Romans saying that he was loving and praying for them and saying, 00:09:25.659 --> 00:09:27.519 God is my witness of that. 00:09:28.300 --> 00:09:35.300 To the Corinthians, he explained to them why he chose to write them versus visiting them in person. 00:09:36.300 --> 00:09:39.620 And he says, but I call God to witness against me. 00:09:40.000 --> 00:09:44.180 It was to spare you that I refrain from coming again to Corinth. 00:09:44.179 --> 00:09:49.019 So swearing in court to tell the truth isn't a bad thing, 00:09:49.079 --> 00:09:53.559 because remember, you're in a civil context where a lot of people don't know your character. 00:09:54.519 --> 00:09:56.039 So that's all right. 00:09:56.699 --> 00:09:58.399 One of my favorites from history, 00:09:59.439 --> 00:10:03.099 the vow a knight would make before he entered into knighthood. 00:10:03.100 --> 00:10:06.279 Be without fear in the face of your enemies. 00:10:06.820 --> 00:10:10.200 Be brave and upright that God may love thee. 00:10:10.960 --> 00:10:14.180 Speak the truth always, even if it leads to your death. 00:10:15.240 --> 00:10:17.180 Safeguard the helpless and do no wrong. 00:10:17.519 --> 00:10:18.259 That's your vow. 00:10:18.399 --> 00:10:22.440 And usually we slap him in the face after that and say him that so you'll remember it. 00:10:22.440 --> 00:10:28.580 So, so we, any of the most important one, a lot of them that many of us have taken are marital vows, 00:10:28.680 --> 00:10:33.400 rich or poor, the sickness and our health, the death do us part. 00:10:34.020 --> 00:10:38.820 So taking an oath or vow when you're telling the truth is okay. 00:10:39.820 --> 00:10:40.300 Right? 00:10:40.400 --> 00:10:43.100 So then if that's true, then what, what is James after? 00:10:43.200 --> 00:10:44.700 Like, what is he actually attacking? 00:10:45.600 --> 00:10:46.720 What does he actually mean? 00:10:47.300 --> 00:10:49.520 What prohibition is he trying to place on this? 00:10:49.519 --> 00:10:52.419 So for help, turn to Matthew 5. 00:10:52.659 --> 00:10:57.939 There's only two other places for you to look today outside of this one verse. 00:10:58.199 --> 00:11:00.240 So Matthew 5, verse 33. 00:11:00.399 --> 00:11:03.500 He really is echoing what Jesus taught. 00:11:05.159 --> 00:11:06.840 He's echoing our Savior. 00:11:07.699 --> 00:11:10.319 So Matthew 5, verse 33. 00:11:10.799 --> 00:11:12.960 This gives us a lot more insight. 00:11:14.199 --> 00:11:15.879 Matthew 5, verse 33. 00:11:16.059 --> 00:11:17.559 He says, again, 00:11:17.559 --> 00:11:19.359 You have heard it. 00:11:19.519 --> 00:11:27.459 It was said to those of old, you shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn. 00:11:28.019 --> 00:11:29.839 So he's citing the old covenant. 00:11:29.840 --> 00:11:42.620 But I say to you, do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by earth, for it is his footstool, or Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king. 00:11:43.300 --> 00:11:49.620 And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 00:11:50.480 --> 00:11:53.840 Let what you say be simply yes or no. 00:11:54.800 --> 00:11:57.879 Anything more than this comes from evil. 00:11:57.879 --> 00:12:05.379 So James and Jesus, they were condemning a particular practice of oath-taking. 00:12:05.519 --> 00:12:09.960 It was really well known in contemporary Jewish culture at this time. 00:12:10.899 --> 00:12:21.259 There was a false, deceptive, evasive oath-taking, using everything but the Lord's name, which alone was considered binding. 00:12:21.259 --> 00:12:27.240 Their oaths were deceptive, because it misled those that they were making it to. 00:12:27.360 --> 00:12:30.200 So, example, someone would say, hey, you deceived me. 00:12:30.259 --> 00:12:33.100 I believed you when you gave me your word. 00:12:33.279 --> 00:12:35.120 And now you're backing out. 00:12:35.159 --> 00:12:37.460 It's like you planned on doing this all along. 00:12:38.600 --> 00:12:42.580 And they would just say, well, I swore by Jerusalem. 00:12:42.840 --> 00:12:44.799 So I didn't swear by God's name. 00:12:44.799 --> 00:12:47.339 So let it go. 00:12:48.339 --> 00:12:58.379 And the oaths were also evasive because they would play with words and language that allowed them to wiggle out of that vow they made. 00:12:58.379 --> 00:13:02.720 So someone may come to them and say, I know something serious. 00:13:03.379 --> 00:13:11.620 A widow may come to someone and say, hey, you swore to my husband that if he died in battle, that you would take care of us. 00:13:12.399 --> 00:13:14.820 He would take care of me, his wife, and his children. 00:13:14.820 --> 00:13:18.400 But, you know, again, you're backing out on this. 00:13:18.460 --> 00:13:22.000 And he would say, well, that depends on what you mean by provide. 00:13:23.260 --> 00:13:27.900 Because I didn't necessarily say that I was going to do this, this, and this. 00:13:29.260 --> 00:13:30.600 You know people who do that? 00:13:31.320 --> 00:13:32.879 Or have seen that in our world? 00:13:33.760 --> 00:13:39.820 They would swear upon things that were connected to God or related to God, but just not the name of God himself. 00:13:39.820 --> 00:13:45.660 They wrongly thought that it would provide them a way out if they wanted it later. 00:13:46.320 --> 00:13:50.640 And that it also was spared them the judgment of God, which we think is ridiculous. 00:13:50.960 --> 00:13:53.840 But it's kind of like children on the playground. 00:13:54.860 --> 00:13:55.320 Y'all remember? 00:13:55.580 --> 00:13:57.120 Those of you who ever played on a playground? 00:13:58.280 --> 00:13:59.540 You would say, hey, I swear. 00:13:59.740 --> 00:14:00.100 And you would go. 00:14:02.900 --> 00:14:06.200 And then later on you would say, well, I have my fingers crossed behind my back. 00:14:06.560 --> 00:14:08.600 So it's really what they're doing. 00:14:08.600 --> 00:14:11.940 It's just a childish practice to manipulate people. 00:14:12.340 --> 00:14:14.580 We see it a lot in our government, unfortunately. 00:14:15.399 --> 00:14:20.279 In trials and hearings, like a question is asked, which isn't obscure, very objective. 00:14:21.060 --> 00:14:22.340 Yes or no? 00:14:23.460 --> 00:14:24.899 Well, it just depends. 00:14:25.600 --> 00:14:27.500 I don't know if I can answer that, Senator. 00:14:27.899 --> 00:14:30.379 I don't, you know, like just what we do. 00:14:30.500 --> 00:14:33.060 Like we just have to put pressure on people. 00:14:33.059 --> 00:14:40.839 So, therefore, James and Jesus are attacking a certain manner in which people would swear falsely. 00:14:40.840 --> 00:14:52.220 However, Jesus shows on what we just read in Matthew 5, that no matter what they swear by, it ultimately is sin because it is connected to God. 00:14:52.600 --> 00:14:55.240 If they break their word, it is against God. 00:14:55.320 --> 00:14:58.000 All things are connected to Him. 00:14:58.000 --> 00:15:00.960 And we live our lives before Him. 00:15:01.580 --> 00:15:04.340 That's why He said anything more from this comes from evil. 00:15:05.259 --> 00:15:09.299 So, He also gives woes to the Pharisees. 00:15:09.379 --> 00:15:11.580 If you're in Matthew, just flip over to Matthew 23. 00:15:12.279 --> 00:15:15.539 He gives the woes against the Pharisees and the religious leaders. 00:15:15.539 --> 00:15:20.360 A woe is kind of like the opposite of a blessing, I guess you could say. 00:15:21.539 --> 00:15:25.500 But Matthew 23, verse 16, same thing. 00:15:26.240 --> 00:15:30.159 He's talking the way they practice this and calling it out. 00:15:30.919 --> 00:15:31.219 He says, 00:15:31.219 --> 00:15:35.980 Woe to you blind guides who say, if anyone swears by the temple, it is nothing. 00:15:36.799 --> 00:15:40.819 But if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath. 00:15:41.360 --> 00:15:42.500 You blind fools. 00:15:42.500 --> 00:15:48.100 For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred? 00:15:48.600 --> 00:15:52.779 And you say, if anyone swears by the altar, it is nothing. 00:15:52.879 --> 00:15:57.580 But if anyone swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath. 00:15:58.259 --> 00:15:59.440 You blind men. 00:16:00.399 --> 00:16:05.220 For which is greater, the gift of the altar that makes the gift sacred? 00:16:05.899 --> 00:16:10.700 So whoever swears by the altar swears by and by everything on it. 00:16:10.700 --> 00:16:14.800 This kind of connects back to chapter 5. 00:16:15.259 --> 00:16:20.360 Whoever swears by the temple swears by it, by him who dwells in it. 00:16:21.120 --> 00:16:27.280 And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it. 00:16:27.960 --> 00:16:32.600 So Jesus is saying, you fools, quit lying. 00:16:32.820 --> 00:16:36.040 Don't you realize that everything is connected to God? 00:16:36.039 --> 00:16:37.599 Keep your word. 00:16:37.819 --> 00:16:42.139 Stop this frivolous swearing around, right? 00:16:43.099 --> 00:16:46.519 If you give your word before God, you are required to keep it. 00:16:46.719 --> 00:16:47.319 End of story. 00:16:47.419 --> 00:16:49.219 That's like what he's saying. 00:16:50.000 --> 00:16:53.679 So stop this, you know, deceptive, obscure, evasive oath. 00:16:53.799 --> 00:16:56.120 Just say yes or no. 00:16:56.839 --> 00:16:59.379 Say what you mean and mean what you say. 00:16:59.500 --> 00:17:01.740 That's what he's trying to expose here. 00:17:01.740 --> 00:17:11.099 So as we look at this in our own lives, I mean, do we make false promises and oaths by swearing on stupid things? 00:17:11.819 --> 00:17:18.539 Are we really quick to swear to others that you will do such and such and then wiggle out of it? 00:17:19.839 --> 00:17:23.299 Do you flippantly just say things and promise things that you just don't mean? 00:17:23.299 --> 00:17:28.799 I think in the church, the one that we're probably most guilty of is, hey, I'll pray for you. 00:17:30.659 --> 00:17:38.440 According to 1 Samuel, to say you're going to pray for someone and not do that, it's a sin against God. 00:17:39.119 --> 00:17:41.240 I'm really slow now to be like, hey, I'll pray for you. 00:17:41.279 --> 00:17:42.879 Or I try to do it in the next 10 minutes. 00:17:44.839 --> 00:17:45.500 It's serious. 00:17:45.639 --> 00:17:51.119 And those of us who are members of this church, you made a covenant with fellow believers that are here. 00:17:51.119 --> 00:17:55.659 Some of you might have been around so long, you just sort of forgotten about that covenant. 00:17:56.819 --> 00:18:02.239 And to faithfully keep your word that you made to your fellow brothers and sisters here. 00:18:02.319 --> 00:18:04.879 We just don't show up to regular gatherings. 00:18:05.000 --> 00:18:08.199 We don't show up to members meetings if it's just convenient or whatever. 00:18:08.819 --> 00:18:10.519 But you made a covenant with us. 00:18:11.399 --> 00:18:12.099 Keep your word. 00:18:13.659 --> 00:18:14.439 Number two. 00:18:15.399 --> 00:18:17.379 Verse 12b, I guess you could say. 00:18:18.019 --> 00:18:18.779 Number two. 00:18:18.939 --> 00:18:20.299 Only speak the truth. 00:18:21.119 --> 00:18:22.759 So we have do not swear. 00:18:23.000 --> 00:18:25.099 We have only speak the truth. 00:18:26.119 --> 00:18:29.439 He says, but let your yes be yes and your no be no. 00:18:30.279 --> 00:18:32.299 So it's important to hear this. 00:18:33.119 --> 00:18:37.099 So the message isn't just simply don't lie. 00:18:37.239 --> 00:18:38.000 Don't swear. 00:18:38.839 --> 00:18:43.799 The main issue is that the believer should always be completely truthful in their speech. 00:18:43.799 --> 00:18:49.619 Genuine believers as new creations born again of the Holy Spirit. 00:18:49.700 --> 00:18:54.779 We ought to have a desire to tell the truth and to not lie. 00:18:54.779 --> 00:19:02.160 In fact, one of the fruits, fruit, excuse me, fruit of the spirit is the word faithfulness. 00:19:02.220 --> 00:19:06.099 And that's actually the conviction of truth when you look up that word. 00:19:06.099 --> 00:19:09.519 So we are being marked by that. 00:19:09.519 --> 00:19:18.219 Those who claim to be born again, saved ought to develop a good reputation as honest, true speakers and promise keepers. 00:19:18.220 --> 00:19:23.220 So James and Jesus, their prohibition of oaths. 00:19:23.980 --> 00:19:27.559 They're basically saying one's given word ought to be enough. 00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:39.819 Jesus and his disciples are not to swear by those things, but rather their character should be of such integrity that a simple yes or no is enough to make a promise to someone. 00:19:39.940 --> 00:19:40.880 No oaths required. 00:19:40.880 --> 00:19:43.240 So speak the truth and keep your word. 00:19:43.340 --> 00:19:47.060 That's like the very simple interpretation of this. 00:19:47.880 --> 00:19:48.860 But why is this important? 00:19:48.940 --> 00:19:50.380 Because God is true. 00:19:51.800 --> 00:20:01.220 God's truthfulness means that he means that he is the true God, that all his knowledge and all his words are true and that he alone is the standard of truth. 00:20:03.860 --> 00:20:06.240 Titus 1, 2, God cannot lie. 00:20:06.240 --> 00:20:11.099 Hebrews 6, 18, it is impossible for God to lie. 00:20:12.039 --> 00:20:15.480 Proverbs 30, verse 5, every word of God proves true. 00:20:16.480 --> 00:20:21.380 And Jesus prayed to the father, your word is truth in John 17. 00:20:21.620 --> 00:20:32.259 So those who know God, who recognize like our constant accountability before his presence, we need only give a simple yes or no as a binding oath. 00:20:32.259 --> 00:20:40.559 We are to not lie, but always tell the truth because our father who is in heaven is true and only speaks the truth. 00:20:41.299 --> 00:20:44.099 So we are to be blameless witnesses. 00:20:45.220 --> 00:20:57.379 You know, honesty in our speech is important to our witness in the world because if we prove untruthful and we portray God as untruthful, 00:20:57.380 --> 00:21:04.860 if we break our word that reflects upon God, right, the God we're claiming to speak for. 00:21:06.080 --> 00:21:08.720 One might say, you know, right, you lied to me. 00:21:08.780 --> 00:21:10.080 You did not tell the truth. 00:21:11.160 --> 00:21:12.660 You say you believe in God. 00:21:12.760 --> 00:21:13.360 Is God a liar? 00:21:13.900 --> 00:21:18.040 You say that like your whole life is wrapped up in following God. 00:21:18.039 --> 00:21:19.720 God is he untrue. 00:21:20.619 --> 00:21:27.240 So we ought to be really praying that as Paul wrote in Philippians 2, he said, 00:21:27.839 --> 00:21:36.639 be blameless and innocent children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation among whom you shine as lights in the world. 00:21:36.640 --> 00:21:45.259 So we have the opportunity to stand out in a world that's full of lies, full of deception, full of sin. 00:21:46.120 --> 00:21:56.560 We know that Satan is called the father of all lies and that people who belong to him are also liars. 00:21:57.940 --> 00:21:58.540 Scary. 00:21:58.700 --> 00:21:59.880 It's a big contrast. 00:21:59.880 --> 00:22:09.960 And so we ought to have such verbal integrity to be people of irreproachable honesty and develop a good reputation for keeping our word. 00:22:10.060 --> 00:22:17.340 If someone was talking to you about, if someone was talking to you about one of your good friends, just an example. 00:22:18.260 --> 00:22:19.980 And they said, oh gosh, I'm nervous. 00:22:20.100 --> 00:22:22.080 I just made a serious deal with Jake. 00:22:23.240 --> 00:22:24.340 I just picked on Jake. 00:22:24.420 --> 00:22:24.640 Sorry. 00:22:25.620 --> 00:22:26.800 But this is true about him. 00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:31.339 I just made a serious deal with him and I could be in serious trouble. 00:22:31.579 --> 00:22:34.319 But all he did was give me his word. 00:22:34.619 --> 00:22:35.099 And that's all. 00:22:35.240 --> 00:22:35.720 Like, I don't know. 00:22:36.819 --> 00:22:45.980 Your friend should be able to say to that person, well, if Jake gave you his word, then that's all the assurance you need. 00:22:46.720 --> 00:22:49.099 He's a godly man who always keeps his word. 00:22:49.180 --> 00:22:50.000 So rest easy. 00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:56.880 Like, people should be able to take rest and take comfort when we make a promise to someone. 00:22:57.700 --> 00:23:01.700 It shouldn't be just uneasy about whether we're going to break our word or not. 00:23:02.359 --> 00:23:06.059 So when we give that word, others should be able to rest in that. 00:23:07.279 --> 00:23:12.059 Our consciences ought to be clean and sincere before God. 00:23:12.059 --> 00:23:20.059 Paul writes in 2 Corinthians chapter 1, for our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience. 00:23:20.899 --> 00:23:27.980 That we have behaved or we have lived in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity. 00:23:28.759 --> 00:23:33.940 Not by earthly wisdom, but by the grace of God and supremely so toward you. 00:23:33.940 --> 00:23:44.320 So, as a believer gathered here today, would people characterize you as dodgy and unreliable or committed and trustworthy? 00:23:45.480 --> 00:23:50.039 Would your family and fellow believers characterize you as a man or woman of truth? 00:23:51.059 --> 00:23:55.180 Would your unbelieving friends say that you're a person who would keep your word? 00:23:56.960 --> 00:24:01.559 Is your integrity such that a yes or no is enough for other people? 00:24:01.559 --> 00:24:10.700 So, this brings us thirdly and lastly, avoid God's judgment. 00:24:11.919 --> 00:24:18.579 Verse 12c, he says, so that you may not fall under condemnation. 00:24:19.720 --> 00:24:21.859 So those are heavy words. 00:24:23.079 --> 00:24:27.059 James says, tell the truth so that you may not fall under condemnation. 00:24:27.519 --> 00:24:28.960 So there's gravity to that. 00:24:28.960 --> 00:24:33.680 This isn't a light-hearted, fickle thing he's sort of throwing on at the end of his letter. 00:24:33.779 --> 00:24:34.480 He means it. 00:24:35.319 --> 00:24:39.700 And like Jesus, he calls for truthful, clear, straightforward, honest speech. 00:24:40.960 --> 00:24:46.140 And to not speak in a way that's lying, obscure, evasive, or dishonest. 00:24:46.160 --> 00:24:50.279 Because if you do, you could be inviting God's judgment. 00:24:50.279 --> 00:24:55.119 So, you ever thought about why this matters? 00:24:55.259 --> 00:24:58.180 But for one, lying tongues hurt people. 00:24:59.240 --> 00:25:01.359 Lying tongues hurt people. 00:25:02.119 --> 00:25:07.059 When we give our word to someone, then we break it, proving us a liar. 00:25:07.180 --> 00:25:08.819 It hurts and damages people. 00:25:09.680 --> 00:25:14.460 When your friend can turn around and lie to you, it hurts. 00:25:14.460 --> 00:25:22.620 Parents break, if parents break promises they made to their children, and they do it often, and do it a lot, 00:25:22.720 --> 00:25:25.019 that can affect that child throughout the course of their life. 00:25:25.120 --> 00:25:27.079 Like, my parents have never told the truth. 00:25:27.779 --> 00:25:29.880 I never even know what they meant a lot of the time. 00:25:30.000 --> 00:25:31.039 They were just sort of obscure. 00:25:31.180 --> 00:25:35.299 They just wouldn't tell me yes or no on certain things. 00:25:35.299 --> 00:25:43.399 Men and women who have been lied to in relationships and marriage, they can develop serious trust issues in anybody. 00:25:44.879 --> 00:25:45.079 Right? 00:25:45.960 --> 00:25:51.399 So, one of the greatest, most hurtful things you can do is to break your word to another. 00:25:52.440 --> 00:25:59.440 So, and how many of us have suffered, genuinely suffered, and hurt because someone broke their word to us? 00:25:59.440 --> 00:26:05.960 So, that's lying tongues hurt people, but most importantly, lying tongues dishonor God. 00:26:07.059 --> 00:26:10.120 God, again, by His very nature, is truth. 00:26:10.940 --> 00:26:13.880 So, He takes liars very seriously. 00:26:14.820 --> 00:26:16.200 Proverbs 12, verse 22. 00:26:16.400 --> 00:26:20.019 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord. 00:26:21.140 --> 00:26:22.720 Proverbs 6, 16. 00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:29.460 So, there are six things that the Lord hates that are abomination to Him. 00:26:29.579 --> 00:26:31.500 Haughty eyes and a lying tongue. 00:26:32.559 --> 00:26:34.660 Very heavy words. 00:26:35.620 --> 00:26:35.799 Right? 00:26:37.779 --> 00:26:39.620 So, the word condemnation. 00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:42.539 It just sort of flies out right here. 00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:45.480 It does mean just a judgment. 00:26:45.700 --> 00:26:51.039 It means to face justice for a particular thing, especially under divine law. 00:26:51.660 --> 00:26:52.680 But what does it mean? 00:26:52.720 --> 00:26:55.000 So, we know that James is writing to Christians. 00:26:55.200 --> 00:27:02.200 And in one sense, if we really are in the faith, we will be spared the judgment day. 00:27:02.279 --> 00:27:05.019 No condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 00:27:05.579 --> 00:27:13.960 But on the other hand, Christians can still lie, break their word to others, and misrepresent Christ. 00:27:13.960 --> 00:27:25.840 So, if that has happened to you as a believer, you could invite the discipline of God unless you repent and make right the wrong, right, that you have made. 00:27:25.839 --> 00:27:35.159 On the other hand, throughout this letter, James has an awareness that there might be somebody in his audience that might not be genuine. 00:27:35.819 --> 00:27:38.559 Might not actually be in the faith. 00:27:38.659 --> 00:27:40.099 A goat among the sheep. 00:27:40.099 --> 00:27:42.019 That's what a lot of this letter does. 00:27:42.019 --> 00:27:43.000 It prides with that. 00:27:43.719 --> 00:27:48.059 And so, he's basically saying that that's how you are. 00:27:48.119 --> 00:27:50.279 This is a stark warning to repent. 00:27:51.179 --> 00:27:54.359 Stop lying and tell the truth or you invite God's judgment. 00:27:54.359 --> 00:28:04.319 Some of the most heavy words I could, I think, I would say, come out of Matthew 12, verse 36. 00:28:04.759 --> 00:28:05.559 Jesus says, 00:28:05.879 --> 00:28:13.859 I tell you, on the day of judgment, people will give an account for every careless word they speak. 00:28:14.619 --> 00:28:18.619 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. 00:28:18.619 --> 00:28:28.419 And, man, judgment awaits those who misrepresent Christ through careless words. 00:28:29.479 --> 00:28:38.679 And so, in summary, so just kind of wrapping this up, the whole thing, James and Christ, they're saying one's given word should be enough. 00:28:39.259 --> 00:28:42.979 We need to develop reputations as truth keepers. 00:28:43.439 --> 00:28:47.000 We shouldn't have to swear on anything, right? 00:28:47.000 --> 00:28:49.779 And not so, right? 00:28:50.299 --> 00:28:52.000 So that people can praise us. 00:28:52.400 --> 00:28:57.059 There's a cultural undertone, I know it is in the South, of like, he's a man of his word. 00:28:57.400 --> 00:28:59.660 She's a woman of her word. 00:28:59.960 --> 00:29:02.740 And we're like, yes, I am. 00:29:04.039 --> 00:29:09.339 But if we think that way, we are stealing glory from God. 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:14.759 But rather, we should speak truthfully because you belong to God who always keeps his word. 00:29:14.759 --> 00:29:19.000 So here's some really quick helps. 00:29:19.259 --> 00:29:20.920 Man, you could talk about these forever. 00:29:21.119 --> 00:29:23.180 Really practical helps. 00:29:24.220 --> 00:29:25.720 Now, I'm guilty, all right? 00:29:25.799 --> 00:29:29.259 So this first one is me. 00:29:29.400 --> 00:29:30.839 You need to slow down. 00:29:31.940 --> 00:29:34.799 Be slower to give your yes or no to people. 00:29:35.539 --> 00:29:37.740 Don't give your word until you are sure. 00:29:37.740 --> 00:29:42.940 I'm really quick to say yes to things I don't really understand a lot of the time. 00:29:42.980 --> 00:29:44.220 And I've hurt people before. 00:29:44.920 --> 00:29:48.240 And they've been just so gracious and forgiving towards me. 00:29:48.900 --> 00:29:50.019 So slow down. 00:29:50.339 --> 00:29:51.680 Proverbs 21, 23. 00:29:52.220 --> 00:29:55.500 Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. 00:29:55.779 --> 00:29:59.319 So it's just better to not say things sometimes. 00:29:59.319 --> 00:30:07.259 Others of you are too quick to say yes because you are afraid of the responses of others if you tell them no. 00:30:07.960 --> 00:30:13.019 You fear man's response and not living righteously before God. 00:30:14.419 --> 00:30:21.299 Others say yes too quickly because maybe deep down they believe that they're indispensable. 00:30:22.200 --> 00:30:24.919 Like this won't happen apart from me. 00:30:24.980 --> 00:30:26.319 I have to do this. 00:30:26.319 --> 00:30:28.759 And then they eventually burn out. 00:30:29.619 --> 00:30:30.099 Right? 00:30:30.399 --> 00:30:32.740 And maybe if they burn out, they do it like a murder. 00:30:33.779 --> 00:30:35.819 Be slow to give your yes to people. 00:30:36.439 --> 00:30:37.980 Then ultimately just pray. 00:30:38.099 --> 00:30:41.799 Ask God by his grace that he would make you a man or woman of truth. 00:30:42.740 --> 00:30:47.700 In Psalm 51, God says that he delights in truth in our inward being. 00:30:48.220 --> 00:30:49.839 So what's in comes out. 00:30:50.279 --> 00:30:52.099 So two responses. 00:30:52.339 --> 00:30:53.319 How can we respond to this? 00:30:53.319 --> 00:30:58.480 The first wrong response is to just merely have moral resolve. 00:30:59.099 --> 00:30:59.359 Okay? 00:31:00.019 --> 00:31:01.379 I'm going to be a better person. 00:31:01.819 --> 00:31:03.819 I'm going to stop lying and always tell the truth. 00:31:03.899 --> 00:31:06.599 I want people to know that I'm someone who keeps my word. 00:31:07.119 --> 00:31:08.399 Again, that's man-centered. 00:31:08.819 --> 00:31:09.919 And you're still in sin. 00:31:10.000 --> 00:31:13.119 But the right response, if you confess your sin to God. 00:31:13.200 --> 00:31:14.240 God, I've lied. 00:31:14.879 --> 00:31:16.119 I've been untruthful. 00:31:17.079 --> 00:31:17.799 Forgive me. 00:31:18.139 --> 00:31:18.759 Change me. 00:31:18.879 --> 00:31:19.839 Help me to live for you. 00:31:19.960 --> 00:31:22.359 Make me a person of truth. 00:31:22.359 --> 00:31:25.699 Go to Jesus and ask him to save you and make you new. 00:31:26.759 --> 00:31:26.859 Right? 00:31:26.979 --> 00:31:31.679 Jesus, in his work, he frees us from the need to tell lies to people. 00:31:32.439 --> 00:31:33.659 And to break our word. 00:31:34.539 --> 00:31:36.939 Because he told the truth always. 00:31:37.379 --> 00:31:40.339 We can always rely on him to deliver us. 00:31:41.199 --> 00:31:41.399 Right? 00:31:41.639 --> 00:31:46.919 So, in summary, let's be people who are known by the truth. 00:31:46.920 --> 00:31:49.240 Let's all pray together. 00:31:49.240 --> 00:31:49.279 Let's pray together. 00:31:49.279 --> 00:31:49.279