A Christian and His Word

  Of what value is your word?  I know there are those in the world we can all think of who, when they say they will do something, we just cannot count on them.  They are characterized by not keeping their word.  This, however, is not the way it should be with Christians.   

  When we give our word to others, whether they are of the world or brothers and sisters in Christ, we must make sure we keep it (barring unforeseen events that would restrain us from doing so).  Speaking of our word, Jesus said, “…Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one” (Matt. 5:37).  While He is specifically addressing oaths, we can understand that when we say “Yes” it must be “Yes,” meaning, it must be followed through with.  The world feels obligated to use oaths since they know many do not uphold their word.  Christians should not be hasty in their words.  Solomon wrote, “Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him” (Prov. 29:20). 

  When we give the Lord our word we must keep it.  Prov. 20:25 says, “It is a snare for a man to devote rashly something as holy, and afterward to reconsider his vows.”  This verse can apply to when we become a Christian or any time we promise the Lord something.  Solomon wrote, “Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God… 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.  It is better not to vow than to vow and not pay” (Ecc. 5:2-5).  Continuing his thought Solomon says that if we do not keep our word we sin (vs. 6).  Often when we fail to do what we have promised, whether to the Lord or to others, we begin offering various excuses.  In the same context Solomon writes, “...Why should God be angry at your excuse and destroy the work of your hands?  For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity.  But fear God” (vs. 6b-7). 

  Let us be people who are characterized and known for keeping our word!         ~ Aaron Beard