Truth or...

"Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned." James 5:12

When someone asks you to do something that you really don’t want to do, what is your first reaction? If you’re like most people, you don’t want to be face-to-face when you let them down or offend them. So to avoid any awkwardness or tension, you may verbally agree to it. Then later, you send them a message with an excuse of why you have to back out.

But under the guise of not wanting to disappoint or offend anyone, how often do we offend God? We do our best to try and justify our actions, but this type of behavior is not okay.

If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, there is no room in your life for half-truths, excuses or deceit. That’s why James says, "Let your 'Yes' be yes, and your 'No,' no."

When someone asks you to do something you don’t want to do, be honest. Instead of conjuring up an untruth, simply say, "Thank you for thinking of me, but I’ll have to decline." And as you continue to live a life of integrity, God will bless you and use you in amazing ways to reach others for Him.