Yes or No? That is the question?

We have been going through the book of James for the past couple of weeks and one of the verses, among many, that seems to leap off the page is James 5:13. “Let your “yes”, be yes, and your “no,” no, or you will be condemned.”

In a culture that prides itself on adaptability and tolerance, which undoubtedly can be positive qualities when exercised at the appropriate time, it seems to fly in the face of conventional wisdom that our “yes” cannot sometimes - under certain circumstances - become our “no”, and that our “no”, cannot likewise, sometimes change to a “yes.”

Recently, it was reported in the news that a senator was changing party loyalties. A Republican for 43 years he decided that it was time to make a switch to the party he had once been identified with, but had for a much more formidable tenure been opposite of. Undoubtedly, many of the people who voted for him believed that he would continue to be a Republican since it was under that assumption which he garnered their vote, and thus kept his seat in office. But alas, it was not to be. On April 28, 2009 he announced to the nation that he was trading in his red jersey for a blue one, because, in his own words, “The prospects for winning the Republican primary [in his home state of Pennsylvania] are bleak .” Now he should be commended for being honest, something we often do not give politicians credit for, but in the same breath he should also be scolded for making a decision that so clearly rests on some statistical analysis of his constituency rather than an overwhelming concern for what is best for his country.

This is a perfect example of someone changing their “yes” to a “no”, or their “no” to a “yes”. When a man is elected to office under the assumption that he is committed to certain beliefs and practices of a specific party, and then decides one year before he has completed his term that he is going to change parties, because he feels it would be a positive career move, it simply does not speak very highly of his character, regardless of what one can say about his achievements or his political prowess.

A question that is bound to come up in the minds of Christians more and more often as we continue to go through these difficult times is - and it may sound a little funny at first - How committed am I to my “yeses” and my “nos”. Take for instance a Christian who believes that under normal circumstances it is wrong to sell someone a car without first telling them the car’s complete history, and everything that has gone wrong with it before. But now, being in hard financial straits, the Christian seller may convince himself or herself that it is OK to sell the buyer the car under false pretenses because he or she is not telling a blatant lie, but just remaining silent. This is a perfect example of someone letting their “no” become a “yes.”

Jesus said in Matthew 5:37 that, “This comes from the evil one.” Are we going to let the evil one take control of our minds and hearts, simply because we are struggling financially, or because we believe that God would understand if he were in our position. Somehow those excuses do not seem to line up with what the Word tells us. In Romans 14:5 Paul says, “One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.” In other words, “Do not sway from what God has fully convinced you of.” Some Christians may think it is OK to sell someone a car without giving them its history, “There’s always Carfax.” they might say. But a strong Christian knows in their heart what is right, and what is wrong. Say “yes” to what is right, and “no” to what is wrong. It may sound simple, but then again, most good things are.