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James 5:12 ESV
But above all my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

I. The Current Crisis in Relationship to the Truth
A. We are truly in a time where there is a crisis of truth.
B. As Christians, and as reasonable people, we must reject this nonsensical notion that truth is relative.

II. The Creation’s Relationship to the Truth
A. Man was created to know the truth with his mind, desire the truth in his heart, and obey the truth with his body.
B. Man fell no longer had the heart and body serve the truth but tried to make the truth serve his flesh and wicked heart.

III. The Cultural Relationship to the Truth Past and Present
A. People lied in the past, but reception of this practice has changed drastically over the years.
B. Both we & the Jews made an art form out of lying but making you think they were telling the truth. (Matthew 5:33-37)

IV. The Christian’s Responsibility to Tell the Truth
A. When we swear and don’t honor what we say we either tell a lie to God or about God.
B. God expects we be promise keepers because He is a promise maker and promise keeper. (2 Corinthians 1:16-20)

V. The Christian’s Relationship to the Truth
A. Jesus nor James don’t forbid oath taking but discourage it from being done casually because of the consequences of failing to honor them. (2 Corinthians 1:23, Romans 1:9-10)
B. God has entrusted the Gospel to Christians and for people to trust God they must first often be able to trust us as His messenger. (Romans 10:14-17)
C. Telling the truth should be done with tact and in a spirit of love and grace. (Ephesians 4:15, 25, 29, John 1:14)