Are You True to Your Word?

We all have good intentions, but that doesn’t matter if we don’t follow through!

Have you ever given your word or promised something, but didn’t follow through? Maybe you changed your mind or decided that it wasn’t important, or maybe you just plain forgot! How many times have you heard people say, “I will call you later,” but they don’t?

We may have every intention of following through with what we have said. Or maybe we just say it to try to make the other person feel good, to try to show that we care about them. But if we don’t follow through, will the person really believe you care?

A minister friend once quoted that old saying, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” We intend to do good, but don’t do it. We get so involved and engrossed with other things that we forget what we said we’d do.

What if Christ didn’t keep His promise?

Jesus promised His disciples that they would receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5).

Then on the Day of Pentecost, Peter told those who were cut to the heart to repent and be baptized and that the promise of the Holy Spirit would be given not only to them but to those God would call later (Acts 2:38-39).

What if Jesus had not fulfilled His promise that they would receive the Holy Spirit? What if He said later, “I am disappointed with these humans, and I am not going to keep My promise”? Or what if He said, “Oh, I forgot”?

“All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance” (Hebrews 11:13, New International Version). They had faith that God would keep His promise.

What if God decided not to keep His promises? What would happen to us? We would live our lives in vain, and when we die, that would be the end of us!

Sometimes we are hindered

If you are not sure you can do something, admit it and say, “I might be able to do such and such. I will try, but don’t count on it.” Or, “I really want to be able to do this, but I can’t be sure. As long as nothing comes up to hinder me, I will do my best, but I can’t make any promises.”

Paul had to tell those in Thessalonica that Satan hindered him from coming to see them (1 Thessalonians 2:18).

Sometimes we are hindered from keeping our word by unforeseen circumstances. Then we need to apologize.

Don’t make excuses!

The main thing is to always remember that whatever we say we will do is what we should do. We must not make excuses.

If you have a problem keeping promises, don’t make them! Or you might start writing down right away any promises you make and ask God to help you remember. And also ask Him for the strength and self-discipline to keep your word even if it hurts.

Sometimes we promise things and are sorry for it afterwards. If something comes up that prevents us, then we need to apologize and let the person know that we are not going to be able to fulfill what we said we would do. But this should be something that happens rarely.

Think before you speak

We must not just throw words around like they are meaningless. We need to stop and think before we say something that we will wish we hadn’t said.

My nephew said some time ago when he was young, “Uncle Bill always does what he says he will do!” That was high praise for my husband. Wouldn’t you love to hear that coming from someone you love, or anyone for that matter?

Remember that you will be known by how well you are true to your word!