What Jesus Did! 'Reliability!' — Matthew 5:34-37

Sunday, February 28, 2021

[Jesus continued:] " But I say, do not make any vows! ... And do not say, 'By the earth!' because the earth is [God's] footstool. And do not say, 'By Jerusalem!' for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. Do not even say, 'By my head!' for you can't turn one hair white or black. Just say a simple, 'Yes, I will,' or 'No, I won't.' Anything beyond this is from the evil one."
— Matthew 5:34-37 NLT

Key Thought

Don't break your word! In the Kingdom family of God, the truth is ensured by our integrity, not by something outside us. We shouldn't have to swear to ensure our word! Jesus carries this integrity of your word one step further when he tells us not to use a vow to guarantee our words. Let the truthfulness of your speech be the standard mode in which you live, so you do not need to reach out and grab for reliability in something external.

Today's Prayer

Almighty and dependable God, I want to be a person of integrity. I want my words to be true. I want people to be able to trust what I tell them. Please give me strength and courage not to exaggerate, lie, or stretch the truth and courage to do what I say. As your child, blessed by the many promises you have kept, I want to bless others by speaking only the truth and always doing what I say I will do. In Jesus' holy name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • James 5:12
  • Proverbs 20:6
  • Ephesians 4:15

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Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 5:34-37 NLT — " But I say, do not make any vows!"

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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