Basically they are saying that they are not lying right now. It could mean that they lie almost all the time. They just aren’t lying right now. Jesus wants our words to be true. He wants us to live up to what we say we will do. And, He wants it without it requiring a legal document to hold us into accountability. Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’. It isn’t saying that we can’t sign legal documents.

It is saying that we would have honored the agreement anyway even though it was only verbal. If we have to swear to prove we are not lying, we have already lived an untrustworthy life before the people around us. If we have to be forced to do the right thing by means of a legal document, then we are an untrustworthy person and minister.

Mat 15:18-19 (NIV) But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’ For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.

Mat 24:10-11 (NIV) At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.

Mat 24:24 (NIV) For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were possible.

2 Cor 11:13-15 (NIV) For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

All these Scriptures are dealing with lying ministers and lying people. It starts with a few lies that are allowed to enter a person’s heart. Then these lies grow and permeate the person’s ministry. From there it goes into the people who are being ministered to by them. It spreads like the flu, as it goes from one person to another. We must yield to the Spirit of truth; we must give our life and ministry over to Jesus.

John 14:6 (NIV) Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.