Our Word Should Be Our Bond

Prelude: Warning Difficult to Practrice!
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Prelude: Warning Difficult to Practrice!

Warning this article may be difficult to follow and obey. If you are bothered by it; then exit out of this subject and leave it alone!

Click to Return to Articles or Choose Arrow Back

Our Word, Our Bond Examined in Detail
What does the Bible say about keeping your word? What does a person mean when saying they will keep their word? There are expectations of commitment when someone says they will complete a task, make a call, keep a secret, agree to be honest, or other situations that might involve keeping their word. What happens when that commitment is forgotten or neglected? What is the meaning of "keeping your word"? One definition states that when we keep our word, actions are followed through on and completed. In other words, we do what we say we will do. Other definitions say it means to "do what we have promised". Matthew 5:33-37, "Again, you have heard that it was said to those in ancient times, 'You shall not forswear yourself, but you shall perform your oaths to the Lord.' 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all, neither by heaven, for it is God's throne; 35 Nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet; nor by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King. 36 Neither shall you swear by your head, because you do not have the power to make one hair white or black. 37 But let your word be good, your 'Yes' be yes and your 'No' be no; for anything that is added to these is from the evil one." Jesus is teaching here that we should live in such a manner that no one would ever have to have additional proof that we are telling the truth. Our word should be our bond. There is a lack of integrity in the world today. So much that it has become a crisis. Very few people conduct business anymore with their word and a handshake. Very few people give someone their commitment with their word at all. We are in the age of contracts, pledges, millions of paperwork that require signatures and all sorts of stuff. Because we have gotten to a point where our word is not our bond. Now we place our faith in a piece of paper in hopes that if someone backs out we can sue them, damage their life, take everything from them, smear them, etc. God has fulfilled every word He has ever spoken. We were created in His image and He planned for us to be the same way. Today, commit yourself to be a new person of your word. You will not only experience a new respect from others, but you will find the joy of a clear heart and mind. Rebuild the value of words. Bring back integrity. Sit back and think what the world would look like if people's word was their bond and everyone kept their bond. Numbers 30:1-2, "And Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes concerning the children of Israel, saying, 'This is the thing which the LORD has commanded: 2 If a man vows a vow to the LORD, or swears an oath to bind himself with a bond, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that comes out of his mouth.' " The word "bond" in this verse means an obligation or a vow. The dictionary defines the word bond, an obligation imposed by a contract or promise. Your word is your bond. Some people have no idea how powerful the words we speak are. Proverbs 18:21, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue …" As believers in Jesus Christ, we need to properly represent the character and nature of Jesus and the Word of God. The Bible says that God elevates His word above His name. Jesus said that heaven and earth will pass away, but His word will last forever. We are to be like Christ and follow in His footsteps, to be a light and an example of truth and integrity. Psalms 15:1-4, "… LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? 2 He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart; 3 He who does not backbite with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend; 4 In whose eyes a vile person is despised, But he honors those who fear the LORD; He who swears to his own hurt and does not change it" It is essential for everyone who claims they will keep God's laws and words to understand who God is and that He expects us to keep our word. If you make a promise, a commitment, or agreement with someone; you need to keep your word, even if it is inconvenient, even if it costs you something. All too often Someone will say, I will do it or I will be there, then they don't show up. They are truce breakers and liars they have not kept their word. Websters Dictionary says: "Truce breaker -means Webster-Collegiate Dictionary 1913 (n.) One who violates a truce, covenant, or engagement." There may at times be extenuating circumstances when people do not keep their word, but it was not their intent to break it. They became ill, had a medical emergency, or were unable to come due to traffic accidents or a death in the family or other sudden unexpected emergencies at home. Perhaps a water main broke. Those occurrences are forgivable and understandable. Normally however, those are not the case and the person who broke their word decided they wanted to do something else fun or were influenced to blow off their commitments made to others. These kind of people make all sorts of excuses why they failed to keep their word. They might say, "I was busy, or something else came up or I slept in." They have no idea that they did not keep their word and often in today's society they do no even care. 2 Timothy 3:3 says such people are, "Without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good." If you give your word or sign up for something and just don't show up without a very serious reason for not keeping your word, you have violated what we just have seen in the Word of God. It may cost you something if you keep your word, but that is what the word of God has been addressing. Keep your word. Your word is your bond. If you don't take seriously what comes out of your mouth, your words will be powerless when you speak against the enemy or pray for others. It is important that you are serious when you give your word or make a promise. Remember the old saying: "liar, liar, pants on fire." God has laws about people lying and not keeping their word or bond. Proverbs 12:22, "Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal truthfully are His delight." Scripture shares stories of promises made and of promises broken. The promises made by God are never broken. Humans stray from keeping their word, and when that happens, heartache, distrust, and anger can enter the situation. God always keeps His Word. Colossians 3:9, "Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man together with his deeds." There was a man and his wife in Acts who lied to the Holy Spirit and broke their word and they were punished for their lying with dire consequences. Acts 5:1-10 Now a certain man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a possession, 2 And kept back part of the price for himself, his wife also being aware of it; and he brought a certain portion and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3 But Peter said, "Ananias, why did Satan fill your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the price of the estate? 4 Before it was sold, was it not yours? And after you sold it, was it not in your own authority? Why did you contrive this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God." 5 And when Ananias heard these words, he fell down and expired; and great fear came upon all those who heard these things. 6 Then the young men wound him up, and carried him out and buried him. 7 Now it came to pass about three hours later that his wife also came in, not knowing what had taken place. 8 And Peter said to her, "Tell me if you sold the estate for so much?" And she said, "Yes, for so much." 9 Then Peter said to her, "Why is it that you agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who buried your husband are at the door, and they shall carry you out." 10 And she immediately fell down at his feet and expired. And the young men came in and found her dead; and they carried her out and buried her by her husband. The book of Genesis tells how the earth had become corrupt in God's sight. God had created a wonderful world, yet Adam and Eve did not obey when they were told not to eat from the tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Due to humanity's increasing disobedience, several generations later, God decided to put an end to all the people and the earth. God instructed Noah about building an ark for Noah's family and sent seven pair of clean animals and two pair of unclean animals to the ark. Read Genesis 6:19-22. Verse 22 tells us, Noah listened and obeyed. Genesis reveals that God kept His Word and brought rain that covered the earth. After 40 days, Noah opened the window and sent out a raven. Then, he sent a dove and, after seven more days, sent the dove again. Noah had followed God’s instructions. The dove returned with an olive leaf. Noah knew the flood had ceased. God gave His Word that the whole earth would not be flooded again. Genesis 9:12-15, "And God said, 'This is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you and every living creature with you, for everlasting generations: 13 I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. 14 And it shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud. 15 And I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.' " God keeps His Word. The rainbow is a reminder that God will never flood the entire earth again. This in Genesis is only one example of keeping your word.

Our Word, Our Bond Examined in Detail

What does the Bible say about keeping your word? What does a person mean when saying they will keep their word? There are expectations of commitment when someone says they will complete a task, make a call, keep a secret, agree to be honest, or other situations that might involve keeping their word. What happens when that commitment is forgotten or neglected?

What is the meaning of "keeping your word"? One definition states that when we keep our word, actions are followed through on and completed. In other words, we do what we say we will do. Other definitions say it means to "do what we have promised". Matthew 5:33-37, "Again, you have heard that it was said to those in ancient times, 'You shall not forswear yourself, but you shall perform your oaths to the Lord.' 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all, neither by heaven, for it is God's throne; 35 Nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet; nor by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King. 36 Neither shall you swear by your head, because you do not have the power to make one hair white or black. 37 But let your word be good, your 'Yes' be yes and your 'No' be no; for anything that is added to these is from the evil one." Jesus is teaching here that we should live in such a manner that no one would ever have to have additional proof that we are telling the truth. Our word should be our bond.

There is a lack of integrity in the world today. So much that it has become a crisis. Very few people conduct business anymore with their word and a handshake. Very few people give someone their commitment with their word at all. We are in the age of contracts, pledges, millions of paperwork that require signatures and all sorts of stuff. Because we have gotten to a point where our word is not our bond. Now we place our faith in a piece of paper in hopes that if someone backs out we can sue them, damage their life, take everything from them, smear them, etc.

God has fulfilled every word He has ever spoken. We were created in His image and He planned for us to be the same way. Today, commit yourself to be a new person of your word. You will not only experience a new respect from others, but you will find the joy of a clear heart and mind. Rebuild the value of words. Bring back integrity. Sit back and think what the world would look like if people's word was their bond and everyone kept their bond. Numbers 30:1-2, "And Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes concerning the children of Israel, saying, 'This is the thing which the LORD has commanded: 2 If a man vows a vow to the LORD, or swears an oath to bind himself with a bond, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that comes out of his mouth.' "

The word "bond" in this verse means an obligation or a vow. The dictionary defines the word bond, an obligation imposed by a contract or promise. Your word is your bond. Some people have no idea how powerful the words we speak are. Proverbs 18:21, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue …" As believers in Jesus Christ, we need to properly represent the character and nature of Jesus and the Word of God.

The Bible says that God elevates His word above His name. Jesus said that heaven and earth will pass away, but His word will last forever. We are to be like Christ and follow in His footsteps, to be a light and an example of truth and integrity. Psalms 15:1-4, "… LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? 2 He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart; 3 He who does not backbite with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend; 4 In whose eyes a vile person is despised, But he honors those who fear the LORD; He who swears to his own hurt and does not change it" It is essential for everyone who claims they will keep God's laws and words to understand who God is and that He expects us to keep our word. If you make a promise, a commitment, or agreement with someone; you need to keep your word, even if it is inconvenient, even if it costs you something.

All too often Someone will say, I will do it or I will be there, then they don't show up. They are truce breakers and liars they have not kept their word. Websters Dictionary says: "Truce breaker -means Webster-Collegiate Dictionary 1913 (n.) One who violates a truce, covenant, or engagement."

There may at times be extenuating circumstances when people do not keep their word, but it was not their intent to break it. They became ill, had a medical emergency, or were unable to come due to traffic accidents or a death in the family or other sudden unexpected emergencies at home. Perhaps a water main broke. Those occurrences are forgivable and understandable. Normally however, those are not the case and the person who broke their word decided they wanted to do something else fun or were influenced to blow off their commitments made to others. These kind of people make all sorts of excuses why they failed to keep their word. They might say, "I was busy, or something else came up or I slept in." They have no idea that they did not keep their word and often in today's society they do no even care. 2 Timothy 3:3 says such people are, "Without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good."

If you give your word or sign up for something and just don't show up without a very serious reason for not keeping your word, you have violated what we just have seen in the Word of God. It may cost you something if you keep your word, but that is what the word of God has been addressing. Keep your word. Your word is your bond. If you don't take seriously what comes out of your mouth, your words will be powerless when you speak against the enemy or pray for others.

It is important that you are serious when you give your word or make a promise. Remember the old saying: "liar, liar, pants on fire." God has laws about people lying and not keeping their word or bond. Proverbs 12:22, "Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal truthfully are His delight." Scripture shares stories of promises made and of promises broken. The promises made by God are never broken. Humans stray from keeping their word, and when that happens, heartache, distrust, and anger can enter the situation. God always keeps His Word. Colossians 3:9, "Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man together with his deeds."

There was a man and his wife in Acts who lied to the Holy Spirit and broke their word and they were punished for their lying with dire consequences. Acts 5:1-10 Now a certain man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a possession, 2 And kept back part of the price for himself, his wife also being aware of it; and he brought a certain portion and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3 But Peter said, "Ananias, why did Satan fill your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the price of the estate? 4 Before it was sold, was it not yours? And after you sold it, was it not in your own authority? Why did you contrive this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God." 5 And when Ananias heard these words, he fell down and expired; and great fear came upon all those who heard these things. 6 Then the young men wound him up, and carried him out and buried him. 7 Now it came to pass about three hours later that his wife also came in, not knowing what had taken place. 8 And Peter said to her, "Tell me if you sold the estate for so much?" And she said, "Yes, for so much." 9 Then Peter said to her, "Why is it that you agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who buried your husband are at the door, and they shall carry you out." 10 And she immediately fell down at his feet and expired. And the young men came in and found her dead; and they carried her out and buried her by her husband.

The book of Genesis tells how the earth had become corrupt in God's sight. God had created a wonderful world, yet Adam and Eve did not obey when they were told not to eat from the tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Due to humanity's increasing disobedience, several generations later, God decided to put an end to all the people and the earth. God instructed Noah about building an ark for Noah's family and sent seven pair of clean animals and two pair of unclean animals to the ark. Read Genesis 6:19-22. Verse 22 tells us, Noah listened and obeyed. Genesis reveals that God kept His Word and brought rain that covered the earth. After 40 days, Noah opened the window and sent out a raven. Then, he sent a dove and, after seven more days, sent the dove again. Noah had followed God’s instructions. The dove returned with an olive leaf. Noah knew the flood had ceased. God gave His Word that the whole earth would not be flooded again. Genesis 9:12-15, "And God said, 'This is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you and every living creature with you, for everlasting generations: 13 I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. 14 And it shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud. 15 And I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.' " God keeps His Word. The rainbow is a reminder that God will never flood the entire earth again. This in Genesis is only one example of keeping your word.

Scriptures About Keeping Your Word
Ecclesiastes 5:2, "Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few." Ecclesiastes 5:5, "It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it." Matthew 5:33, "Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made' " 1 John 2:4-5, "The one who says, 'I know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 On the other hand, if anyone is keeping His Word, truly in this one the love of God is being perfected. By this means we know that we are in Him." Luke 11: 28, "He {Jesus} replied, 'Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.' "

Scriptures About Keeping Your Word

Ecclesiastes 5:2, "Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few."

Ecclesiastes 5:5, "It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it."

Matthew 5:33, "Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made' "

1 John 2:4-5, "The one who says, 'I know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 On the other hand, if anyone is keeping His Word, truly in this one the love of God is being perfected. By this means we know that we are in Him."

Luke 11: 28, "He {Jesus} replied, 'Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.' "

Summation
As Believers, we are called to share the truth with everyone, believers and non-believers. We are told to spread the Gospel to all people. We strengthen our faith by being obedient and true to the Father when we keep our word. However the Bible also cautions believers about becoming yoked with non-believers. In other words, do not conform to the worldly view. Always put God first in everything. Share the love of God with words and actions. James 3:6, "And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell." As humans we all make mistakes and need to repent. Consider the situation when you learn about a believer who hasn’t kept their word. Before judging consider putting yourself "in their shoes" and try to understand their reasons. Trials will come to everyone. The Bible says that we will face tests. When those stressful times arise Pray for the person and situation when someone doesn't keep their word. 1 Peter 3:9, "Never give back evil for evil, or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, giving blessing, knowing that you are called to this so that you might inherit blessing." We are called to forgive. The action of someone not keeping their word may be hurtful or have devastating consequences. We may not like the action, but we can ask God to help us continue to love the person. Have you ever made a promise and then not followed through? Have you had good intentions, but something got in the way of keeping your word? In life, there are times when circumstances may prevent us from doing what we had intended. Perhaps we forgot, or maybe something happened that didn’t allow us to keep our word. We can seek God's guidance to handle the situation at those times. Going to God in prayer can bring resolution and peace. If possible, ask for forgiveness from the person or people involved. Give thanks to God for His love and mercy. Strive to do better, and forgive yourself. Ephesians 4:32, "And be kind and tenderhearted toward one another, forgiving one another, even as God has also in Christ forgiven you." Keeping our promises and commitments is an essential part of our God ordained walk. The Bible teaches us that our words should reflect our integrity and faithfulness. We all face situations where we may find it easy to break our word, but God calls us to be trustworthy. When we keep our promises, we demonstrate the love of Christ in our lives. Let' meditate on these teachings throughout the Scriptures and draw inspiration from them to uphold our commitments with grace and sincerity.
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Summation

As Believers, we are called to share the truth with everyone, believers and non-believers. We are told to spread the Gospel to all people. We strengthen our faith by being obedient and true to the Father when we keep our word. However the Bible also cautions believers about becoming yoked with non-believers. In other words, do not conform to the worldly view. Always put God first in everything. Share the love of God with words and actions. James 3:6, "And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell."

As humans we all make mistakes and need to repent. Consider the situation when you learn about a believer who hasn’t kept their word. Before judging consider putting yourself "in their shoes" and try to understand their reasons. Trials will come to everyone. The Bible says that we will face tests. When those stressful times arise Pray for the person and situation when someone doesn't keep their word. 1 Peter 3:9, "Never give back evil for evil, or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, giving blessing, knowing that you are called to this so that you might inherit blessing."

We are called to forgive. The action of someone not keeping their word may be hurtful or have devastating consequences. We may not like the action, but we can ask God to help us continue to love the person. Have you ever made a promise and then not followed through? Have you had good intentions, but something got in the way of keeping your word? In life, there are times when circumstances may prevent us from doing what we had intended. Perhaps we forgot, or maybe something happened that didn’t allow us to keep our word. We can seek God's guidance to handle the situation at those times. Going to God in prayer can bring resolution and peace. If possible, ask for forgiveness from the person or people involved. Give thanks to God for His love and mercy. Strive to do better, and forgive yourself. Ephesians 4:32, "And be kind and tenderhearted toward one another, forgiving one another, even as God has also in Christ forgiven you."

Keeping our promises and commitments is an essential part of our God ordained walk. The Bible teaches us that our words should reflect our integrity and faithfulness. We all face situations where we may find it easy to break our word, but God calls us to be trustworthy. When we keep our promises, we demonstrate the love of Christ in our lives. Let' meditate on these teachings throughout the Scriptures and draw inspiration from them to uphold our commitments with grace and sincerity.

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Our Word Should Be Our Bond

- New Covenant Saints

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