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18th March 2026
WednesdayReflection
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'Abigail'
I want to share the joy that comes from
knowing the Lord
"Simply Yes or No:"
What Does Matthew 5:37 Mean?
I don't swear to God or cross my heart and I don't pinky promise.
But I still have a problem with my mouth.
In Matthew 5:37 we read,
"Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil."
Jesus said that.
It's hard for me to do that.
Because I hem and haw.
I rationalize yes and talk around no.
In my efforts to look stronger, kinder, or wiser or to give myself an out, I do not simply say "yes" or "no."
Today my sister said, "Just say it," as we talked on the phone.
Also today, my son told me, "Quit talking with a flourish and get to the point."
Yesterday, a popular talk show host observed, "Lying has now become a tactic."
Living by lies, or at least obscuring the truth, is now considered shrewd.
Giving a simple, no-excuses, no-exaggeration answer doesn't come easy for me.
I'd like to blame my Irish roots.
I've written about the Irish language and admitted to being smitten.
It is the Irish way.
In fact, Gaelic has no words for yes or no.
This has had an interesting effect on the English spoken in Ireland.
Rather than use those words, a speaker will rephrase the verb of the question.
For example, in answer to the question, "Is this the way to Bantry?"
the reply is much more likely to be "It is, so," rather than "Yes."
While it's possible that my penchant for beating around the bush is in my Irish blood, the certain source of my struggle to simply say "yes" or "no" traces back much further.
For I am a daughter of Eve.
And every Son of Adam and Daughter of Eve is by nature a liar.
If you also struggle to simply say "yes" or "no," you are not alone.
Here are three reasons why I don't simply let my "yes" be "yes" and my "no" be "no."
I like loopholes. No one likes to say no and verbal loopholes seem like a gracious way out.
Sure I can help, as long as ... Or, I'll be there, unless.
We may add extra words because we are people pleasers and don't like to let our friends down.
Culture says making excuses is kind, but Jesus says, Simply let your yes be yes.
I want to add force to my words.
So I exaggerate. I'm 99.9% sure, and To tell you the honest truth, as if there is another truth.
I want to excuse my sin.
I don't simply answer my husband: Yes, I backed our van straight into a tree because I was in a rush.
Instead I rationalize:
3 Reasons We Should Simply Say Yes (Or No)
But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your "yes" be yes and your "no" be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.
.... James 5:12 (ESV)
Here are the top three reasons I want to get better at simply saying "Yes" or "No."
God commands it.
"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour" is the 9th Commandment.
But if God commands it, it comes with perks.
Great peace have those who love your law. Nothing can make them stumble.
God is honoured by it.
Who will dwell with God?
Psalm 15 says we can tell by how he talks.
He speaks truth in his heart ... and swears to his own hurt.
The Body of Christ grows as we simply speak truth.
Paul says it twice in Ephesians 4.
First, in verses 15-16:
Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up every way into him who is the head, into Christ.
Then, in verse 25:
Having put away falsehood, let each of you speak the truth with his neighbour.
We grow up into Christ and build up his body as we speak clear, simple truth.
Do you want to learn to simply say "yes" or "no"?
The Proper Place for Vows and Oaths
For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he swore by himself.
.... Hebrews 6:13 (ESV)
God swore. So it can't be wrong.
While Matthew Henry is spot on, that "a Christian's sober words should be as sacred as solemn oaths," there is a place for solemn vows.
Even though our every word should be gold.
><(((°>
This is an edited version.
The full article is avaiable on request
About Abigail
I'm just the curtain girl.
My job is to stand side stage and pull back the curtain so you can see God's glory..
I write for our progress and joy in the faith.
I want to share the joy that comes from knowing the Lord.
And I want our hearts to be strengthened by God's strong grace.
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