Yes or No

112008
Matthew 5:37 Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.

This is a very popular, well known, verse of the Bible. Jesus is simply saying, do not swear or make oaths, but just let your yes mean yes and your no mean no.

For some reason this scripture really stands out to me today. I've heard it before, and I understand it. I've even given advice to others about it, telling them that it is better not to make vows or oaths, but to just answer yes or no. But today, I feel God is asking me to apply it to my life. Are there areas where I made vows instead of just saying yes or no? A vow that cannot be kept is such a burden. It weighs the soul down. It is a cross or yoke that we were not meant to bear. Paul often says in his epistles "God willing" I will come to you. He never tells them, I promise I'll come visit you soon, etc. It is a good thing to be committed, but to make a promise that you can't keep is something evil. In whatever I do today, I need to make sure that I'm not promising to people things that I cannot fulfill or give. This will not only be easier on my shoulders but it will be pleasing to the Lord.

Heavenly Father, forgive me for all those foolish promises and vows I made to others. Lord, I pray that You would redeem me from my folly. Lord, I ask that You would help me to just say yes or no to things, nothing more and nothing less. Help me to be committed and yet help me to not be overstepping my limits. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.