BY: Pastor Bob Miller
CHAPTER READ: James 5
SCRIPTURE SELECTED: James 5:12-15
12 Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise, you will be condemned. 13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.
OBSERVATION: I’ve never read verse 12 about “not swearing” along with the section which follows on prayer. James tells us that we are to let our yes be yes, and our no, no. We don’t need to back our word up by swearing by something greater than ourselves, to indicate we really mean what we say. To do so implies that there are times when we speak which are not truthful, Our everyday speech should be no different than an oath we take. If we need to back up our words, then we go to
PRAYER and beseech the ONE who hears our plea and who answers us in our time of trouble. When we are happy we give praise to the ONE who is the giver of every good thing. When someone is sick, we call the leaders of the Church together to pray for us. Our everyday speech is to reflect our everyday “faith” in God.
APPLICATION: Pay close attention to your speech. It is a reflection on how you live and what you truly believe. If I feel the need to precede what you say: with “To tell you the truth…” then perhaps I need to speak more truthfully at other times. When I feel my words are inadequate and lack power, then I can take my words to God in prayer. My request in His hands brings results.
PRAYER: Lord, much of my day is filled with conversations with others. As I speak, may I be quick to give You praise and to not hesitate to bring everything to You in prayer. May my speech reflect a walk that recognizes my dependency upon Your power and wisdom. Amen