Just how important is our word?

By: Rob Peralta

In the days of old there was a popular saying "He's (she's) a person of their word". But sadly, today we don't hear that much anymore. It seems keeping our word isn't as important as it once was. Let's look at just how important it is.

It is very important to understand that speaking "words" enable us to be in an image of God. For words set us apart from all other living creatures on this earth. We have the same ability as God, and that is to speak words. When we speak truth we speak with power. When we speak lies and falsehoods we weaken ourselves. The ultimate evidence of this power was our Lord "speaking" the universe into existance.

Our character is reflected by the words we speak and the vows that we make. Personal integrity of a "Christian" is valued by God, especially when we honor our commitments.

I was lead to make this post because of noticing within my own church, people making promises then forgetting all about them. This is not right. If we call ourselves Christian, our word should be our bond! Can we imagine Jesus (our life example) saying " yes, I will do that for you" and not doing it?? Ofcourse not.(Proverbs 12:22) says "lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but they that deal truly are His delight".

Recently I was told to seek a man in our church for a bible study. We agreed to do an online study. We passed each other's email's. A few days later I proceeded to email him with the begining words of the study. NOTHING was heard from him for over two weeks. Another high level person in our church has made several promises to me, and fulfilled very few. I bring these examples because this is not right to the Lord(or any one told falsehoods). How can we be taken seriously as true Christians, when our fellow brother or sister can't even trust what we say? If you tell someone you are going to do something, do it!

The Lord hears our every word, and delights when we speak truth and back up our word, we become in a sense "God-like". Our word is our bond just like God's word is His bond. If I say " I'll do it", I really try to do it. I can actually feel my self getting weaker when I am talking to someone who I know doesn't keep their word, they seem to zap some energy from me. So please be aware, your bondless friends can deplete you, if you are an honest person with "true words".

A great example of trusting in words spoken was Jesus and the Roman Centurion. Jesus said He would go to the man's home but the man TOOK HIM AT HIS WORD, believing that His word alone could produce results. How would our Christian experience be if we would all believe and take to the bank what we tell each other we will do?

To summarize, when you tell someone you are going to do something, do it. Make God, yourself and your fellow brethren proud. You'll find your walk getting closer to God because you speak truth. Yours in Christ, Rob.