Yes or No (James 5:12)

- "Above all" hints special emphasis and importance...so pay attention!
- Tongue again :)! It's the cause of so much trouble. Swearing is displeasing to God. Do not swear! Don't use the name of Heaven, earth, or anything else to make a promise or to prove what you say. We are to speak the truth on all occasions.
- Have unquestionable integrity at all times! Say what you mean and mean what you say. Honoring our words is what honors God. Whatever we say (yes or no), we must be committed to. We don't have to ever swear to differentiate our normal 'yes' from our 'I really mean it, yes'. Make a simple 'Yes' or 'No' completely binding. It's a matter of honesty/ truthfulness and integrity.
- If others cannot trust your words, how can they trust your Christian beliefs? Just as your tongue can destroy lives and your testimony with gossip and criticism, your tongue can destroy others and ruin your testimony about God by uttering a 'yes' or 'no' that you do not honor.