How do you understand Matthew 5:34?
>Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear–not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple "Yes" or "No." Otherwise you will be condemned.
When I first read it I understood it as pretty cut and dry. Don't sign contracts, don't swear an oath, etc. Yet so many of those who call themselves Christian, myself included, sign contracts like crazy. Whether it be a credit card, rental contract, etc etc.
Then I found that some, like the amish, seem to interpret it the same way, yet I see many ways in which they must be swearing in order to cooperate with the US government.
I am of the opinion currently that I am in violation of this verse. Yet to those I've brought it up to, they quickly enter into incoherent mental gymnastics.
What say you?