“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
Matthew 5:33-37

Bottom Line

Jesus wants his followers to be marked by radical honesty and integrity.

"Don’t shrink back. Don’t puff up. Stand your sacred ground."
— Brene Brown

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
I Corinthians 13:4-5

An honest life starts by being honest with yourself in God’s presence.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
I John 1:8-9

Action Steps

Pray - Create some space with Jesus to prayerfully reflect on the following:

• What does your version of puffing up look like in your life?
• What is at the heart of that?
• How might God want to help you see things more honestly?

Practice

• If you’ve been puffing up with someone, confess that and ask for forgiveness
• When you feel the urge to control someone or something this week, bite your tongue and take a few breaths before speaking in honesty and love.
• Let someone else have the last word.