“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool... . But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” Matthew 5:33-37, NKJV

Justin Martyr:

“And with regard to our not swearing at all, and always speaking the truth, He commanded as follows: ‘Swear not at all. ’”

Clement of Alexandria:

“The man of proven character in such piety is far from being apt to lie and to swear, … preferring to make averment, in affirmation by ‘yes’ and in denial by ‘no.’ … It suffices, then, with him, to add to an affirmation or denial the expression, ‘I speak truthfully.’”

Hermas:

“‘Love the truth, and let nothing but truth proceed from your mouth, that the spirit which God has placed in your flesh may be found truthful before all men; and the Lord, who dwells in you, will be glorified, because the Lord is truthful in every word, and in Him is no falsehood. They therefore who lie deny the Lord, and rob Him, not giving back to Him the deposit which they have received. For they received from Him a spirit free from falsehood.’”

Question for Today

Jesus says that any affirmation stronger than a yes is from the evil one.

In what area could you better follow through with your word consistently, so as to have no need of promises or oaths?
The Historic Faith