Filled Words

Filled Words

James 5: ¹² Above all, my friends, do not use an oath when you make a promise. Do not swear by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Say only “Yes” when you mean yes, and “No” when you mean no, and then you will not come under God's judgment.

 

============

 

“I’ll call you” were my empty words I used when I was moving too fast. I had all the intention of following up, but simply forgot. The same happened when I said I would pray for a person, or pass on the message of hello.

 

• I found that I used empty words more than I thought.
• I had the best intentions, but I did not take into account becoming overwhelmed.
• I was not malicious in using empty words, but they were still empty, nonetheless.

 

James attempts to address one aspect of character, namely avoiding making promises that may or may not be kept. He implies that promises go before GOD and each one will be held accountable. He then suggests, to provide an answer without making empty promises.

 

My Observations:

• GOD wants me to make promises to HIM, but only the ones I will keep.
• Promises should be made sparingly, otherwise I will be held accountable for something I may or may not do.
• Saying “I may not be able to do this” is better than trying to make someone feel good by empty words.

 

Using empty promises to make a person feel good is a problem. I mean, saying “I will pray” or “I will call” as examples, only raises the recipients hopes up. But when I don’t follow through, the problem then falls on me for not having done so. GOD wants me to change my empty words.

 

HE wants me to say “Yes” or “No” and let the person who asked for something, know that I will or will not fulfill the request. This part of character is called reliability. I am glad GOD is always reliable in what HE says and does.

 

Challenge

• What does the writer say about making an oath?
• Have you ever made a small promise to do something, but simply forgot to do it?
• Have you ever wanted other people to do something and he or she forgot?
• Will you fill your words up with a solid “yes” or “no” so people can see your reliability for the purpose of understanding how serious GOD takes promises today?

Looking Good

Mark 7: Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem. ² Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault. ³ For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders. ⁴ When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches.

⁵ Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?”

⁶ He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:

‘This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.

⁷ And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

============

Preparing for church was a chore this particular day. As I put on my only dress shirt, the frayed elbow finally gave way. Maybe I can hide it by putting on the jacket. No one will notice.

• Many times I tried to look good in front of people.
• Many times I tried to keep up appearances in front of people.
• Many times I tried to show people that everything was fine when everything was really bad.

Performing ritualistic washing had become a major performance amongst the Scribes and the Pharisees. Appearing “clean” to people meant they held themselves to a higher standard so they could impose greater demands to have others “look good.” BUT GOD sees through it.

• GOD sees my heart and knows it needs cleaning.
• GOD sees my thoughts and knows they need to be put under HIS guard.
• GOD sees my desires and many times they do not include HIS desires.

My desire for fashionable good looks crept into my spirit life as well. Hiding lusts for sex, money and power had become the norm. I could afford nice suits and give more money than people made in a year, but where was GOD? HE was buried deep under my “good looks.” GOD desires to break through my good looks so HE can shine today.

• Are you busy telling people how “good” you look?
• Do you hide your flaws so others can think you are better than you are?
• Do you give false pity on those who do confess their sins?
• Will you open your mouth and tell people your sins so GOD can do a marvelous work in you?