How much do you mean it when you speak? Can we tell how sincere you are from your tone of voice?

Or - have you lied so often that now you feel you must convince us with stronger language, like swear words?

I can tell people aren't always sincere in what they say, or they are used to lying to some degree. I know t his by the way they feel they have to swear when they really, truly want to be believed. Isn't that what swearing is all about? Comparing what is said now with something or someone of a higher power is a way to prove how much you mean it, right?

Jesus said we should not make oaths (swear) that bind the veracity of our words to heaven, or God's throne, or the earth, or Jerusalem. Nowadays it seems people use hell, dam(nation), God, Jesus Christ, or a stack of Bibles. The intent remains the same.

The alternative? Jesus says just mean what we say. When we say yes to something, we should mean yes. When we say no, we mean no. If we always mean exactly what we say - no fibs, mis-leading statements, I-was-just-joking lies - then people will learn that they can trust us to always tell the truth and to stand behind whatever we have promised or pledged.

It occurs to me that if we could learn this principle well, we might easily pick up another one Jesus taught in some other passages, where He said we could move mountains, transplant mulberry trees, and bind in Heaven as well as earth, the things we say shall be so. No fancy references needed. We mean it. We believe it. We said it. Then, just like God's word, it comes to pass. Isn't that much better? Or do you have to swear to prove how much do you mean it?

You may argue that if you don't use that strong language people aren't going to believe you, or you'll have nothing to say. Think. If you say only what you really mean and believe, you may talk much less, yes, - but you'll grow more confident, you'll speak with a ring of authority and power in your voice. What will happen next is that other people will believe you and show you respect.

Try simply asking Jesus to help and believing that He is a man of His word; He will help you as He promised.