Yes or No

My Mother was a very biblically-centric individual.  She believed everything the Bible said and believed that Word settled everything - a position I share wih her. However, I can't say I share everything she believed the Bible to say.

For instance, she taught us that the Bible taught we were not to allow ourselves to be sworn in if called to give testimony in court, that we were just to say we would tell the truth.  Her reasoning was found in the words of Jesus' brother, James, which read, "Above all, my brothers andd 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" (Js 5:12).

So, there you have it.  Do not swear,  just affirm or deny - yes or no, nothing more.  Regardless of what the judge may tell you, do not allow yourself to be sworn in or to give testimoney under oath.  I would have to agree with that position, if it weren't for the fact that it's wrong.  I know it is wrong for a couple of reasons:

1.  Jesus allowed himself to be questioned under oath.  "The high priest said to him, 'I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God .' 'You have said so,' Jesus replied. 'But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven" (Matt 26:63-64).  He would hardly tell us not to allow ourselves under oath and then allow himself to be.

2.  Secondly, the statement to say yes or no, otherwise you will be condemned comes on the heels of the condemnation in Matthew 23:16-22, where the Pharisees and  teachers of the law created different levels of oath taking, allowing one to make an oath but then break it because of a technicality.  For instance to swear on the temple didn't really count unless you included the gold of the temple as well.  It is a bit like promising with your fingers crossed.

So, what is the biblical principle?  Glad you asked.  The timeless and true principle is that God insists on us being honest, telling the truth.  No gimmicks, no loopholes - let your yes mean yes and your no mean no.  Jus' Say'n.