Manipulation in God's name.

Let Your Yes Be Yes: Live in integrity. Let go of manipulation.

Hey everyone! 👋 In our latest episode of Destiny Awaits, we took a deep dive into the heart of Jesus’ teaching on oaths in the Sermon on the Mount. But true to form, the conversation was anything but linear—we went on some fun and thought-provoking tangents about manipulation, prophecy, cussing, and even politics!

Here’s a quick look at what we covered:

The Heart of the Teaching

Jesus’ words about oaths challenge us to examine our honesty. He wasn’t just concerned with what people said; He wanted to address the motives behind their words. In His time, oaths were often used manipulatively—people swore by sacred things like the temple or altar to make their words seem trustworthy while avoiding true accountability.

But Jesus flips the script. He calls for simplicity and integrity: “Let your yes be yes and your no be no.” Why? Because anything more is rooted in deception, and that, Jesus says, comes from the evil one.

Tangents and Truth Bombs

Of course, we couldn’t stick to just one topic. Along the way, we explored:

• Manipulation in the Church: How even well-meaning people use God’s name or position to create weight behind their words, often leading to disillusionment.
• Prophecy Gone Wrong: The difference between hearing God’s heart and misinterpreting His will—and the dangers of claiming “God said” for personal gain.
• Cussing and Cultural Context: What counts as “using the Lord’s name in vain,” and how intent matters more than word choice.
• Politics and Faith: How believers engage (or don’t engage) in the political arena and what it reveals about our priorities.

The Takeaway

At its core, this teaching is about trustworthiness. Jesus’ words call us to examine not only what we say but why we say it. Are we using language to manipulate or to reveal our true selves? Are we striving to honor God in all we do—or just trying to win approval or get our way?

As we reflected on this, one theme stood out: integrity. It’s about being honest with ourselves, others, and God. Whether it’s in our daily commitments or the big decisions we make, we’re called to reflect the Spirit of truth that resides within us.

What’s Next?

Next week, we’re diving into one of the most misunderstood teachings in the Sermon on the Mount: “An eye for an eye” and Jesus’ command to “turn the other cheek.” Does it mean we’re called to passively accept injustice, or is there something deeper here? We can’t wait to explore it with you!

🎧 Listen to this week’s episode here:

Let us know your thoughts! What stood out to you from this teaching? What does it mean to you to let your “yes” be yes? Share your reflections in the comments below or on social media—we love hearing from you!