The Story of Trust
One Thursday morning, my father woke me at dawn, and together we set out for the market with piglets to sell. After hours of negotiation and a dwindling supply of piglets, a man passed by, saying, “Don’t sell; I’ll be back to take them.” He didn’t even glance at the pigs, but my father waited for him. That man never returned, but my father’s decision made an indelible mark on me.
Years later, my father told me, “I was never a pretender.” That truth shaped his life, teaching me that keeping your word matters deeply.
This memory leads us to an essential question: Why do we make promises we don’t keep? And how does Jesus call us to live differently?
A Biblical Call to Integrity
In Matthew 5:33-37, Jesus says:
“You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’ But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne. Do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. … Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.”
Jesus is not just talking about vows but about living a life of truth and integrity.
Vows: A Historical Perspective
In ancient Jewish culture, vows held immense significance:
- Biblical Roots: Vows were made before God, with serious consequences for breaking them. Numbers 30:2 says, “A man who makes a vow to the Lord or makes a pledge under oath must never break it.”
- Cultural Corruption: By Jesus’ time, people found loopholes in their promises, swearing by objects instead of God, to lessen their accountability.
Jesus challenges this system, pointing to a life where truth flows naturally, without the need for oaths.
Living Truthfully Like Jesus
Jesus calls us to a higher standard of speech—one that reflects the kingdom of God.
1. Truthful Language
God is the ultimate example of truth. Numbers 23:19 says, “God is not a man, so he does not lie.” As His followers, we reflect His nature when we speak with integrity.
2. Purposeful and Simple Speech
Jesus’ command, “Let your yes be yes and your no be no,” invites us to clarity and simplicity. James 5:12 echoes this, warning against elaborate oaths that complicate trust.
The Language of the Kingdom
When I moved to the United States, I began to dream in English—a sign that my new language had transformed me. Similarly, when we enter the kingdom of God, our speech should reflect its culture.
- A New Accent: As citizens of heaven, our language should make it clear that we belong to Christ.
- Immersed in Scripture: The best way to adopt this “language” is through immersing ourselves in the Word.
Shibboleth and Transformation
In Judges 12:5-6, a simple word, “Shibboleth,” exposed the true identity of Ephraimites. Likewise, our words reveal whether we belong to the kingdom of light or the kingdom of darkness.
Jesus as the Model of Speech
Jesus’ communication offers the ultimate example:
- Authority: Jesus calmed storms (Mark 4:39) and taught with authority (Luke 4:32).
- Truth: Jesus never manipulated or exaggerated.
- Compassion: To the Samaritan woman, He spoke of living water (John 4:13-18). To the adulterous woman, He said, “Go and sin no more” (John 8:11).
- Purpose: Jesus’ words always pointed to the kingdom of God (Matthew 4:17).
