(Keep Your Word) James 5:12  –  "But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment." 

 

Have you ever known someone you knew you could depend on?  The kind of person who you knew would keep their word when they told you that they would help you with an unpleasant task?  That's the kind of friend we would all like to have, but it's also the kind of friend that each of us should strive to be.  Some Christians take the words of the above Bible verse literally, avoiding making any kind of promises, taking any kind of oaths, or entering into any contracts.  

 

But even for someone who does not follow this verse by the letter, James' words strongly imply a simple but important principle: be a man or woman who can be taken at their word.  Be a person who is dependable that no one ever has to ask, do you promise?  Be a man or woman whose "yes" always means "yes" and whose "no" always means "no." (Adapted - 3 Min. Devotions, Barbour Publishing)