To tell you the truth… I swear!
This is a really rich verse…which could be pulled apart phrase by phrase, word by word…and then adding the historical and cultural contexts we could really pull back the onion on it. However, I’m going to focus just on the “All you need to say is a simple ‘Yes’ or “No.’” These words echo what Matthew recorded Jesus’ having said in the Sermon on the Mount: “All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one” (Matthew 5:37).
In both James and Matthew, we are simply being asked to make sure that our everyday words be simple and true. There should be no need to clarify that in “this instance” you are really being honest – no further explanation should be required…you should be known as someone whom talks simply and honestly. I’d like to say, remember as kids we always used to say, “I swear…I’m telling you the truth” or “I promise”; but how often do you hear adults (or yourself) using these or similar words like…when they start telling you something they say…”To tell you the truth…I…”…as if they have been lying to you up until that point?
Unfortunately, in both my childhood and even today at work there are some people that don’t talk simply or honestly. They talk in such grey, round-about ways that you don’t know what they’re really saying…always seemingly giving them license to do whatever they want, regardless of what’s been said. The relational damage here is significant…trust is broken and their personal credibility is shot. It’s no wonder they have to qualify what they say as being “true”…but even when they do, you’re suspect for good reason.
James is encouraging us, as believers, to be characterized as truth-tellers. How incredible would it be if we all spoke to each other truthfully and plainly? How much more effective in ministry would the Church be if we didn’t have to deal with the “greyness” of our speech and the relational baggage we’d have to deal with internally because of it? How much more like Christ would we be perceived by non-believers if we were characterized by speaking honestly and being trustworthy?
Let me ask you this, are you characterized as being simple and honest in your speech? If not, what are you going to do about it? What’s at stake if you don’t?
I’ve noticed at my office that the simple truth speakers are sometimes considered to be cold, unfeeling, all business types. Our culture has replaced simple truth-speaking with hedging and equivocating all in the name of keeping the peace. But I wonder if what we call peace-keeping isn’t just a smokescreen. The hedging gets us off the hook from having to be responsible for our own stuff or holding others responsible for theirs. Either way, when the simple truth is withheld, and shades of gray cloud the air, mediocrity is about the best we can expect. The Church would be well served by getting back to “yeses” and “nos”.
Great thoughts from a great guy. Thanks.
Thanks Doug for your encouragement and insight. May we all get to the simple yes or no.