Let Your Yes Be Yes and Your No Be No

What does this mean in the Bible and why is it important?

This is about speaking directly and honestly.  Let’s look at four different scenarios:

“I Don’t Want To Look Uninformed.”

If a person has the fear of looking like they are “out of the loop” or not wanting to look uninformed, they will not answer directly because they want to leave space in order to change their answer. Sometimes they will talk in circles rather than outright answering the question.  Or they wait for you to give them clues or say the answer so that they can look like they already know.  They find it difficult to just say, “Yes,” “No,” “I do not know,” or just plain state the facts. Well, they do not know the facts.  They would rather hear you tell them so that they can say, “Oh yeah, I know that”  and fake it until they make it.  This type of person fears looking dumb because they are insecure or just plain dishonest.  Their fear or dishonesty manipulates them to avoid the yes or no.

“I think I’m Strong, but I’m Weak.”

This type of person talks a “good game” saying things like “I would never do that” or “When I see them, I’m gonna do this, that, and the other…”  Unfortunately, when they are confronted with the situation, they actually clam up because of fear.  They find it hard to do what they said they were gonna do and cannot live up to it.  Adversely, this person also thinks they would NEVER commit this sin or that sin like somebody else.  Unfortunately, under the right conditions and circumstances, they could very well find themselves committing the sin they NEVER thought they would do.  A person like this is weak, can be fearful, and does not know themselves yet because they find it hard to take a stand on their word and sometimes can be easily manipulated by others. Take note, this problem can often apply to parents who buckle under the pressure of staying disciplined with their children. Their weakness destroys their yes and no.

“I Don’t Want My Sin Exposed.”

If a person is hiding something, they may lie by doing a word dance swearing up and down that they are telling the truth to purposefully deceive the one who listens or they may try to avoid lies by giving indirect answers because they are living a lie.  Indirect answers are like half-truths and if you do not tell the whole story to protect an evil lie, this is known as deceit.  This stems from the fear of being found out, not answering with a yes or no causes them to make these ramblings or excuses. This is why it comes from the evil one.  They hide their yes or no.

“I’m Desperate,”

Also, sometimes, a person may make promises that they cannot keep because they really want something.  They are desperate.  They do not say “Yes, I will pay you, here’s collateral” or “No, I cannot pay you.”  Rather, they make puppy-eyed promises and believe with all their heart that they will live up to the promises in their pleadings, but unfortunately they usually do not have a good track record.  You might not ever see this person for a while if they owe you money and it might be better to just give them what they need without expectations, which is extending mercy. Who knows, they may be that one person who keeps their word. For most though, their yes or no doesn’t line up with reality.

[34]But I say unto to you, “Swear1Promise not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: [35]Nor by the earth; for it is His footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. [36]Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. [37]But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. ~Matthew 5:34-37 KJV

But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation. ~James 5:12 KJV

Fear, dishonesty, insecurity, instability, and deceit are behind many of the reasons why one cannot get a straight answer from people and desperation can breed empty promises.  All of the above examples are striving to prove and promise something.

Notice in the article entitled Know Your Enemy, the devil always tries to get a person to prove themselves.  If you speak directly and honestly, empty promises will not occur since vows are taken seriously by God. You don’t want to set yourself up to lie.  2Last four sentences added 8-18-16. Find out why 'dippin and dodgin' answers is from the evil one. #ChristianWomen Share on X Cite this article: Please update the Accessed or Retrieved date (September 13, 2015).