Our word must be true

How sure are we today that when someone promises us something, giving their word, that they will stay true to their promise? Truth be told, not many of us. Gone are the days when men came to a gentleman’s agreement by shaking hands after the giving of one’s word- it being a matter of honor to a man to make sure he delivered his promise.

So much faith was put in the giving of one’s word and keeping of a promise that a man whose fiancée broke an engagement could sue her for breach of promise! How most of us these days would laugh at such a notion! But really, in God’s sight, breaking our word is a serious matter!

Today everything has to be in writing- a verbal promise is taken as not being worth the air it was breathed and until all matters are confirmed on paper, nothing is sure. We see the same lack of personal integrity with marriage vows- it seems that the parties will live together until the going gets tough. Then it is just a matter of filing for a divorce and moving on.

Recently a family member went for a job interview. He was told he had the job, and was shown where to park his car and where to present in the morning. Hands were shaken and this man left elated that at last he had found a job! Two hours later, the employment agency rang him to tell him he had been unsuccessful! After confronting the prospective employers he was told that as nothing had been signed on paper, they were at liberty to change their mind and give the job to someone else! Anger was nearly as strong an emotion as disappointment. It shows the level that we have sunken to as a dishonest and arrogant society today.

The world in general have no one to answer to except themselves so it really should come as no surprise that they do not keep their word. But for us Christians, our word should be reliable and true! How it must grieve God if His people cannot be trusted with their word. For whether we like it or not, when we name the Name of Christ, His reputation is put on the line when we break our word. We are ambassadors for Christ.

We should therefore be careful about what we promise to do and when we promise something, we should follow it through even if it is inconvenient or we suffer to our own hurt. For as we are bearers of the Word of God- we must be all the more careful to be sure that our own word is trustworthy and true! Let us think carefully before we give our word on any matter. Better to not give it than to break it. For in doing so, we just may turn some away from coming to Christ!

© Glenys Robyn Hicks

‘Lord, who may abide in your tabernacle? Who may dwell in your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart; He who does not backbite with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbour, not does he take up a reproach against his friend; in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but he honours those who fear the LORD. He who swears to his own hurt and does not change; he who does not put out his money at usury, nor does he take a bribe against the innocent, he who does these things shall never be moved’. Psalm 15.