God's Glory Church

“Let your word be: “yes-yes”, “no-no”. And anything more than this is from the evil one.” — Matthew 5:37

When Gandalf the Gray faced Saruman the White, it became clear that the latter had strayed from what he was supposed to be doing – helping to protect Middle-earth from the evil Sauron’s rule. What’s more, Saruman made an alliance with Sauron! In this scene from The Fellowship of the Ring, based on Tolkien’s classic work, two former friends engage in an epic battle of good versus evil. If only Saruman had not strayed from his course and done what was right!

King Saul also failed to stay on the right path. In one of the stories, it is said that he “drove out [from Israel] the fortune-tellers and soothsayers” (1 Sam. 28:3). It was the right move, because God declared that fascination with the occult is “an abomination” (Deut. 18:9-12). However, when God did not answer the king’s pleas (because of his own previous sins) about how to deal with the huge Philistine army, Saul commanded: “Find me a fortune-teller, and I will go to her and ask her” (1 Sam. 28:7). What a change of course! In the end, Saul was defeated because he himself had violated his previous command, which was correct.

A thousand years later, Jesus said to His disciples: “Let your word be: ‘yes-yes’, ‘no-no’. And anything more than this is from the evil one” (Mt. 5:37). In other words, if we have made a commitment to obey Christ, it is vital that we keep that promise. So, let’s stay in Christ, with God’s help!

What helps you keep your commitments? Why is it so important not to deviate from the right path?

Dear Jesus, please help me to follow Your ways.

Author: Tom Felten