Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ Anything more comes from the evil one. Matthew 5:37

I’m getting cynical. I’m trying not to, but it’s hard.  I think we all are.

Here we are in the midst of a world-wide pandemic and it feels like every decision, every directive, every decree is shaded by agendas and driven by ideology. Everyone has an angle they’re working, an advantage they’re trying to gain or a cause they’re trying to advance… often at the expense of the truth. You see it in politics, social media, the medical sector and business.  It seems impossible to simply get a straight answer, doesn’t it?

Now, I acknowledge that a lot of the conflicting messages we hear are because we are in a crisis and have so little knowledge of what we are dealing with. I get that. So, it doesn’t surprise me, nor do I begrudge our leaders when guidelines change and priorities shift as we gain new information.  I can even appreciate making hard or unpopular decisions.  It’s tough to sit in the big chair and know that what you decide will affect the lives of millions.  But you’ve gotta admit, sometimes the chorus of conflicting information and inconsistencies is absolutely breathtaking.

• Some studies say hydroxychloroquine reduces the effects of COVID, others say it doesn’t
• Some politicians say wearing a cloth mask is effective, some say it’s a bunch of hooey.
• Some officials say kids will be safe at school, other say the risk is too great
• Walmart is deemed essential but small businesses that sell identical merchandise were non-essential
• In Arizona, it’s safe to go to casinos, but unsafe to go to church
• In our major cities, large outdoor gatherings in streets demanding social change are deemed safe but it’s unsafe to gather relatives for a proper funeral or have more than 25 people at the graveside

I bet you have your own list, too. I think when we see hypocrisy on both sides of the spectrum, we become distrustful, suspicious and cynical. Can anyone be honest? Straightforward? Truthful? Without spin?  … Please?

Across the cut of modern society ring the words of Jesus.  “Let your yes be yes and your no, no.” Speak the truth, tell it straight, whether it advantages you or not.  Don’t say one thing and do another.  Don’t say one thing in public and another in private. Keep your promises. Do what you say you will do and honor your word- even if it’s inconvenient or costly. Anything less than the truth is Enemy territory. Courageous truth characterizes God and should characterize his children.

The apostle Paul echoes Jesus’ words when he says:

But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us… was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “Yes.” For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. 2 Corinthians 2:18-20

God, in contrast to the “yes” and “no” thinking of our world, never speaks out of both sides of his mouth. God performs what He promises. We can count on Him. He is entirely consistent with His Word and there is no equivocation in what He promises. All of his promises are ‘Yes’ in Christ.

John Piper has a great list of promises that will not fail and  are completely reliable in Christ:

1. In Christ Jesus you have been seated in the heavenly places even while you live on earth. Ephesians 2:6, “[God] raised us up with [Christ] and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”
2. In Christ Jesus all the promises of God are Yes for you. 2 Corinthians 1:20, “All the promises of God find their Yes in [Christ].”
3. In Christ Jesus you are sanctified and made holy. 1 Corinthians 1:2, “To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus.”
4. In Christ Jesus everything you really needed will be supplied. Philippians 4:19, “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
5. In Christ Jesus the peace of God will guard your heart and mind. Philippians 4:7, “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
6. In Christ Jesus you have eternal life. Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
7. And in Christ Jesus you will be raised from the dead at the coming of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:22, “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.”

In a world in which it’s hard to discern the truth, it’s nice to be able to rest in something absolutely and completely reliable.