Words and Empty Promises

Lord, if you get me out of this, I promise I will not … I don’t know about you, but I’ve made this promise a few times in my life. Yet, I found myself in the same jam again and yes, again. How soon we forget the mess we were in and how agonizing it felt! Above all, the heartache of God.

As human beings, we over-extend ourselves through our words. We make promise after promise, and we fail to keep them even though we may have the best intentions. During the elections, politicians make commitments that they aren’t able to keep. Are we prepared to forfeit our freedom of speech? If we continue our careless use of words, I’m afraid this is where we might be headed.

We don’t realize the seriousness that comes with a commitment or promise. There is a responsibility connected with every commitment, promise, or vow.

When ask to take on a particular duty, Christians are quick to tell you, “let me pray about it,” I suppose it is a godly type of response that makes them look holy. But is looking and sounding holy important?

Think about it! 

We teach people about who we are through our words and how well we keep our word. We prove trustworthiness and dependability. And most of all, the value we place on our relationships. 

Empty Promises

“And don’t say anything you don’t mean. This counsel is embedded deep in our traditions. You only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, ‘I’ll pray for you,’ and never doing it, or saying, ‘God be with you,’ and not meaning it. You don’t make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace. In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true. Just say ‘yes’ and ‘no.’ When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong. Matthew 5:33-37 (MSG)

As a leader, I would rather hear no, and you show up rather than yes, and you are a no-show. People count on us to keep our word and follow through.

God is faithful to His word!

Time after time, we see God’s faithfulness throughout His word. He keeps His word, but the problem with most humans is that we don’t  WAIT WELL! Or, if at all! 

Look at Noah; he did everything God asked. And he had a laundry list of things to do, but God was faithful and kept His word. Both through destruction and deliverance.

Like Abraham and Sarah. They couldn’t wait for God’s promise of a son. They took it upon themselves to help God out. The same as we do even today. When was the last time you thought God needed your help?

Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; Walk before Me, and be blameless. I will make My covenant between Me and you, And I will multiply you exceedingly.” Genesis 17:1-2

God made a covenant with Abraham and, despite his disobedience, God kept His word. But His faithfulness was not without consequences to Abraham and Sarah.

“Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.” Proverbs 21:23 (NIV)

Sin is unavoidable when there is much talk, but whoever seals his lips is wise. Proverbs 10:19 (NIV)

Sin, WOW! 

Every day comes with a test, and keeping our word is a massive part of that test. Looking at ourselves is not always easy, but it really depends on how we want others to see and think about us? Think about it  – Are Your Words Leading to Empty Promises?