Keeping our word is probably the easiest way to gain credibility; and, failing to keep our word is more than likely the easiest way we can lose credibility. If everyone in the world kept their word we would certainly have a different world! We read a section on oaths today in Numbers, and complete our study in Mark with Peter’s failure to keep his vow to never forsake Jesus. In James 3:2, we read that whoever does not offend in word is a perfect man. How many times have we told someone we will do something and then realize we did not do what we said? It would be better not to make a promise than to make one and not keep it.
When we make a promise, we are—in a way, predicting the
future. At the time, our intentions are
good and we really think we are going to carry out our plan. With the passage of time, however, our
motivation wanes, and we may forget what we said or realize we actually don’t
have the time or resources to do what we said we would. In Matthew 5:33-37,
Jesus covers the subject of making oaths and He says, “But let your ‘Yes’ be
‘Yes’, and your ‘No’, ‘No’. For whatever is more than these is from the evil
one.” Satan wants us to be weighed down with guilt. He knows we are subject to feeling guilty
when we make rash promises we cannot keep.
In Numbers, God allowed fathers and husbands to respond to
the oaths of their daughters and wives on the day they heard them and overrule
them if they say fit. Women tend to be more emotional than men and this may have been a way the
Lord allowed a woman to be released from a rash oath made on the spur of
the moment.
We should strive to keep our word
even if it creates a hardship for us. In Psalm 15, David asks, “Lord, who shall
abide in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell
in thy holy hill?” Part of the answer includes,
“He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not” (verse 4). This chapter
ends with the words: “He that doeth these things shall never be moved”. James puts our lives in perspective by describing them as little more than a "vapor". In chapter 4:13-16, he reminds us we have no idea what tomorrow will bring. "For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that".
Should we need a starting point for a new life in Christ,
keeping our word is an excellent place to begin. Ephesians 4:15, admonishes us to speak the
truth in love. Paul, in Romans 12:3,
cautions believers, “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man
that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to
think”. This in itself reminds
us not to let our ego (pride) write a check that we cannot cover.
Once again, God has our best interest at heart when He
cautions us about making an oath. There is no point in putting ourselves under
bondage to make ourselves look good or to impress someone, and then be loaded
down with guilt because we failed to do it. We are only setting ourselves up to sin. Also, as Christians, we are to glorify God. How better to do that than be known as a person of our word, just as our Father always keeps His word. Father, help us to
weigh our words and our motives carefully. Set a watch before our mouths, O Lord, and keep the door of our
lips (Psalm 141:3). Once we have committed ourselves, help us to understand the importance of carrying out what we have promised and to bring glory to Your name in the process. In Jesus name. Amen!
No comments:
Post a Comment