Keeping Your Word

“They were just words … I didn’t mean it … I changed my mind.” These are common phrases heard every day. Promises are made quickly and often forgotten just as quickly.

People don’t keep their promises for many reasons – new circumstances may arise, promises simply may be forgotten. But the Bible warns that there are serious consequences for not keeping our promises. We are warned to be quick to hear and slow to speak (James 1:19). We are to let our “yes” really mean “yes,” and our “no” really mean “no” (Matthew 5:37).

God Himself urges us to be intentional with our vows and be careful to do what we’ve promised. This means we need to think before we speak. We need to be careful before we commit, and then we must follow through.

This particularly applies to promises made to God. He knows all about changing circumstances. But in His sight, our excuses don’t matter. Our responsibility is to keep the promises we make. This is so serious that He looks at failure to keep our words as sin.

Today, remember that God is listening to the words you speak. People all around you are checking to see whether you keep your promises – at your church and work, your family and community. Heed God’s warning and be serious and intentional about your words. And be careful to keep your promises.