INTRODUCTION

Our verbal communications involve the words that spring forth from our mouths. No doubt, the Lord considers these communications important and we should too. In today’s passage, the Lord gave some specific insights concerning His expectations of our communication. First, He wants our communication to be short and to the point – “let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay” (Matthew 5:37But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
See All...; see also Proverbs 10:19In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
See All...; Ecclesiastes 5:3For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words.
See All..., 7). Second, our word should be validated without the necessity of certifying it with vows, oaths, and swearing. In the context of the passage, the Lord Jesus forbade swearing “by heaven” (Matthew 5:34But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:
See All...), “by the earth” (Matthew 5:35Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
See All...), or “by thy head” (Matthew 5:36Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
See All...). When we swear by these things, we put ourselves in danger of condemnation (James 5:12But 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.
See All...). Let your nay be nay and your yea be yea!

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): God asked Adam if he had eaten of the forbidden tree from which God said not to eat. Instead of just saying, “Yes,” Adam used many words to try to make his sin seem less bad (Genesis 3:11-12 [11] And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? [12] And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.
  See All...). God doesn't want us to cover up what we've done with our many words.
• (For everyone):  Do you find it necessary to back up your words with godless swearing or can your word be trusted? Do you say things like, “I swear on my mother’s grave” or “cross my heart and hope to die”?
• The Lord wants our words to be few and faithful. Do you find it necessary to speak  voluminous words as a cloak for your lack of truthfulness in your communication?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to help your words be few and faithful.
• Ask God to clear your mouth of worldly, godless language.

HYMN

Take My Life, and Let it Be

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