Sometimes a reading plan will put interesting passages in parallel. Like 2 Chronicles 32 and James 5. (7-21-11)

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. (James 5:12 NIV)

And the lord sent an angel, who annihilated all the fighting men and the commanders and officers in the camp of the Assyrian king. So he withdrew to his own land in disgrace. And when he went into the temple of his god, some of his sons, his own flesh and blood, cut him down with the sword. (2 Chron 32:21 NIV)

Let’s start with that phrase in James. Above all. In other words, this command is important. Very important. As important as anything he’s written to this point, maybe even more so. And the command. Do not swear by heaven or earth or anything else. Just let your Yes be Yes and your No be No.

Why? Because if you’re acknowledging that God is in control, you don’t need to swear by anything because you’re living for God in everything.

But one thing to consider. Make sure you’re really hearing God, really serving God, really connected to the God of the universe and not just some self-created figment of your imagination. That was the Assyrian king’s problem in 2 Chron. He stood before the Hebrews and claimed his god was more powerful than the LORD.

And interestingly, God didn’t strike him down there. He waited. Waited until he was in the temple of his own “god.” Then to show His power, the LORD struck him down in his god’s stronghold. “You think your god is big enough to defeat me on my home turf? He’s not even powerful enough to protect you in his own temple.”

So don’t speak rashly. Be sure you are listening to the One True God. Then you won’t need to swear by anything. Because the God of the universe has your back.

[Father, help me to listen to only You, to trust only You, and to obey You completely.]