2721.-Superfluous Words by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Feb 3, 1909

2721.—Superfluous Words.

By Editor

Please explain Matt. 5:37.

"But let your speech be Yea, yea; Nay, nay: and whatsoever is more than these is of the evil one." We have quoted from the American Revised Version. Please notice the context. The admonition is against unnecessary oaths. There are those who are so anxious to make their words emphatic that they use all kinds of adjurations. How frequently one finds this in ordinary conversation as well as in books. The Lord forbids all this. We should swear neither by the heaven, nor by the earth, nor by Jerusalem, nor by our head—by absolutely nothing. If we are asked concerning anything, let our words be simple, truthful words. After a while people will learn that they are. All effort to do more than this does not come from God, but are suggestions of the evil one.