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 [a]judgment. (James 5:12 NKJV)
I grew up in a time and with a father who taught me a man’s word is his bond. This not only came from my father being depression era, but also from a small town upbringing. I truly cannot remember a single time growing up in rural Texas where you could not count on this singular truth. A handshake agreement was as good as any fully executed contract I have since entered into. I still to this day believe very strongly in this.
It is easy to go astray when our words cease to have meaning. This too is why God points back to scripture as being something we can take faithfully. God’s Word is better than any bond, it is life giving. The promises contained in scripture are something that we can look upon with complete assurance. In fact God is better than His Word and He provides for us above and beyond what is contained there.
Reflect on: Just how much you rely upon God’s Word and how much that shapes how you react to this world.