Do You Keep Your Word?

Freelance writer, Nicole Bradley-Bernard, said, “People with good intentions make promises. But people with good character keep them.” So, what’s the big deal about making promises? And, what’s the big deal if I don’t carry through with promises made? Nobody really cares anyway. And besides, things come up that I don’t anticipate. Really?

And you think a lifestyle of saying, “Yes,” and then not carrying through is alright? Are you a believer in Christ? If yes, then it is not alright to make promises and not follow through.  A lot of good intentions – promises made – go unfulfilled in today’s world. I think it’s an integrity-based epidemic. God’s people, of all people, should be dependable – people who keep their word.

Of course, interruptions do happen out of our control. However, these times should be the exception, not the rule. And if you have to recant on a promise made, let whoever you promised know. This is only right!  Also, we all get caught up in the excitement and emotions of a moment and often agree to things without first giving them complete thought. Our intentions are mostly good but then, after the dust settles, our original resolve fades. I get this, because we all fall prey to emotional prodding. However, God does not forget promises made and people don’t either. Here’s where it becomes a spiritual problem.

That’s why I refuse to promote emotionally-prodded faith promise offerings at church. Many times, God’s people suffer from guilt when they cannot fulfill promises made during an emotionally-charged service.

We all want to be known as individuals who  keep our word. If we agree to something, we want to exhibit good follow through. To agree to something and then not follow through relays a spiritual problem in a number of ways.

First, it demonstrates immaturity. If you are one who fails regularly to not carry through with promises made, ask the Lord to keep you in remembrance. Immature individuals treat promises made with a lackadaisical attitude. But what happens on the other end when individuals counting on you to keep your word become victims of unfulfilled promises? In some instances, this can be devastating.

Second, it says something about our character, good or bad. We dare not minimize the importance of keeping our word. People are counting on us!

Third, poor follow-through exposes people who are not dependable and trustworthy. These two traits should not be named among God’s people. 

Fourth, it reveals our true heart. If we truly care about people, then we will make sure that what we promise, we fulfill. God’s people need to say what they mean and mean what they say. It’s far better not to make a promise than to make one with absolutely no intention of following through. This, in a very real way, is the same as lying. I think about what the prophet Jeremiah says in 1:12 (AMP), “Then the Lord said to me, ‘You have well seen; for I will hasten My Word to perform it.” If God places such a high premium on keeping His Word, then we should as well.

I recommend that you write down on a small notepad anything you promise while in conversation with others. Some may wish to use their cellphone. This too is good. We all forget things, so writing them down keeps us honest and integral.

Let me share three of the Bible’s twenty major verses regarding “vows” or promises. To not take a promise made seriously is to underestimate God’s opinion on the matter. God sees the keeping of our promises as a matter of principle. Let’s allow the Scriptures to speak for themselves:

Ecclesiastes 5:4 (NKJV) – “When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; for He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed.”

Deuteronomy 23:21 (NKJV) – “When you make a vow to the Lord your God, you shall not delay to pay it; for the Lord your God will surely require it of you, and it would be sin to you.”

James 5:132 (KJV) – “But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.”

As a pastor, I most often note promises broken when people promise to be in church on Sunday, or promise to be at a Bible study or other church event, or promise to do something for the church and then don’t show up. The real frustration comes when nothing is ever said - as if their word counts for nothing. This is always heart-breaking.