Phony Christianity and Contemporary Oath Taking

James puts an above all things at the beginning of this verse commanding our yes be yes and our no be no. That means this verse is of central importance in his writing. James is declaring that we must not do anything in our speech to make it seem more believable. This is at the heart of the contemporary oath taking of our age; a pursuit of believability instead of reality. God says, "No phonies allowed." He wants truth in the inward parts.