LET YOUR "YES" BE "YES" AND YOUR "NO" BE "NO" BY: CHIPO BITI

Back in the times of the Old Testament, people used to swear by oaths in order to show how serious they were. Some would swear by heaven, others would swear on their own lives, while there were those who swore on God. The problem with these oaths was that they were often broken and people were condemned for being unable to stick to their word. James was trying to set people free from this bondage by encouraging them not to swear by anything - no matter how much they wanted to prove the gravity of their seriousness. He simply stated that it would be better for a person to answer with a "Yes" or a "No". Nothing more and nothing less.

Continued in Comments

It would be good for us to follow in this example too. People in this day and age also try to prove their trustworthiness by swearing on all kinds of things - including their mothers' lives. There is no need to subject yourself to such bondage. If you are keen on proving your trustworthiness strive to be a person of integrity by following through on your word. There is no need for you to resort to dramatic oaths in order to prove to a person that they can trust you. Things happen. Life happens.

In the event that you are unable to come through on the oath, you will appear to be untrustworthy. Save yourself the trouble and answer frankly. Let your "Yes" be "Yes" and let your "No" be "No". Do not create a trap for yourself by attempting to make vows and oaths you are not certain about. You are not required to do so.

This resonates with me. My Mother used to tell us the very same thing when we were younger, let your yes be yes and your no be no. Thank you.