The answer is: Oaths

Matt 5:36

When Jesus mentioned that no one can make a single hair on their head black or white, he was emphasizing something profound yet simple: the idea that we often humanly care way too much about things that are beyond our true control. In Matthew 5, he’s diving into the nitty-gritty of oaths and how people often swear by things when they mean to convince others of their integrity. This is really mirrored in the topic of truth – having your "yes" be simply yes and your "no" be simply no (Matthew 5:37).

Here’s a fun Factio: In those times, people often made grandiose oaths to assert credibility, which would fit right in with our current social media world of overselling—and maybe even ‘flexing’ the truth! Historically, it dictated their sense of binding promises, but isn’t it fascinating that such a simple aspect of humanity surfaces across centuries? Jesus’ words remind us about the authority we sometimes seek in promises: true integrity shines a lot brighter than colorful claims.

This observation extends into our own lives when we consider how much we put into appearances. Choosing authenticity over pretension can be liberating. You can't control every little detail—and you shouldn’t have to. Embrace what is genuinely you! In essence, the new way Jesus proposed was a refresh of the heart—cultivating sincerity thrives way better than an “authentic” appearance argued by hollow commitments.