Douglas Jacoby Podcast

33—Forty Days with James: “Yes” and “No”

Douglas continues his series on Forty Days with James, today looking at “Yes” and “No”.

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

James 5:12

Not referring to profanity
Similar to 3rd commandment – context of oath-taking.
Not that we should throw around the words Jesus or God carelessly.
Note connection with the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5). Frequent references to SOM material in James.
Based on these passages, some Christians refuse to take oaths. Their word is their bond.
Yet what about signing documents? I should not have to sign a mortgage statement, or work contract, because I honor my pledges. But in this fallen world few are totally reliable.

Note that the Bible does allow us to go back on our word in certain situations. Balance these two passages:
- Ps 15: Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose way of life is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart… who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind…
- Prov 6:1-5: If you… have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth…Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.
- Sometimes wisdom or love requires that we balance principles.
In a more political /military context, unless the oath involves a false god – as soldiers might have to take (one of the 3 things new converts were forbidden to do).
Zealot oaths would not have entailed idolatry (apart from the idolatry of power), but they would have entailed rash promises to courses of violence and coercion.
Beware the dangers of political promises, oaths, alignments – Jesus & Politics.
We should all be people of our word.

Tomorrow: Pray x 7