Truth Spoken
“But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” - Matthew 5:37 (KJV)
In this brief but penetrating statement, Jesus addresses the integrity of the heart as it is revealed through speech. Words, in the kingdom of God, are not merely sounds or tools of persuasion; they are moral expressions of truth. Christ calls His followers to a kind of honesty so deep and consistent that it requires no reinforcement by oaths, exaggeration, or manipulation.
Jesus speaks within a culture that relied heavily on vows to guarantee sincerity. By cutting through this practice, He exposes the deeper issue: a divided heart that feels compelled to bolster truth with extra assurances. When truth is spoken plainly and faithfully, it stands on its own. The need for excessive language reveals a fracture between what is said and what is meant.
“Yea” and “Nay” reflect simplicity, clarity, and reliability. Such speech flows from a heart aligned with God, where truth is not situational but steadfast. This is not a call to bluntness or harshness, but to transparent integrity. The believer’s word is to be trustworthy because the believer belongs to the God of truth.
Jesus’ warning is sobering: what goes beyond honest affirmation “cometh of evil.” Deception, half-truths, and manipulative speech find their origin not in misunderstanding, but in sin. When words are shaped by fear, self-protection, or desire for control, they drift from truth. Christ calls His disciples to speak from a place of trust, trust in God’s sovereignty and in the power of truth itself.
Matthew 5:37 challenges us to examine not only what we say, but why we say it. Are our words shaped by reverence for God, or by anxiety about outcomes? Faith speaks truthfully and rests in God with the results.
A truthful heart needs no excess words, truth stands firm on its own.
Prayer:
God of truth, purify my heart and my speech. Let my words reflect Your honesty and grace. Teach me to speak simply, faithfully, and without deceit. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
