pictured: honest guy

“I swear on my life!”

“I swear on my mama’s life!”

“I swear on your mama’s life!”

“I swear on my children’s heads!”

“I swear on a stack of Bibles”

and most blasphemous of all: “I swear to God!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

pictured: honest guy; never had to swear

Whatever happened to honesty? Why do men need to swear? You know why? It’s because they’re not honest men. If they were honest, they wouldn’t need to swear because whatever extra validation an “oath” brings would be unnecessary. Swearing is such a foolish thing to do, second only to actually believing someone simply because they swear.

Listen people: If he’s so dishonest that he has to swear in order for you to believe him, one more lie isn’t going to make him feel bad. In other words, when he says “I swear I will do it” have you considered the possibility that that is untrue? If he “swears” he’ll pay you back the money this time, after many times before of him not doing it, you should probably consider that money gone. One little word (“swear“) or any emotional attachment he puts with it (“on my mom’s grave!!!1!“) isn’t really going to matter if he just flat-out doesn’t want to do what he said he would do.

Jesus says:

Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:
Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

Matthew 5:33-37

Who are you to swear on your mama’s grave? It’s not your grave to swear upon. Who are you to swear on a stack of Bibles? Are you the Holy Spirit? Did you write the Good Book? It’s not yours to swear upon. Who are you to swear on your life? God gave you that life. Who are you to swear to God? Are you greater than He?

Jesus’ advice: Just always be honest: Let your yea be yea (if you say you will, do it), and your nay be nay (if you say you won’t, don’t). Honesty is the best policy, because it breeds trust in a way an empty phrase like “I swear” can not.

Let’s just try being honest at all times and see how far it takes us!

Have a great day!