Are you a person of your word?

Proverbs 10:9 The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.

It's hard not to admire people whose word can be depended on completely and whose actions are consistent with their words.  For such people, talking is not avoiding action; it is the beginning of action.  

When you give your word to someone you are also giving it to the Lord.  The Lord teaches in the Bible that we must not go back on our promises even if we have to pay a higher price to keep them.  Our promises are taken seriously and we will be held accountable for them.  Changing our minds is not acceptable to the Lord!

Are pastors, politicians, world leaders, and everyone else, responsible for promises made?  What about honesty and integrity, is there a double standard?  How do you feel when someone makes a promise to you and doesn't keep their word or makes excuses to get out of it?

1 Timothy 3:14-15 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, ¹⁵if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

The church congregation belongs to the Lord and the responsibility of them is a serious matter.  Pastors must be blameless and morally pure.  Promises must be taken seriously!  God holds them accountable because where Pastors lead the congregation will follow.  To be like Jesus is to keep your promise!

Proverbs 19:1 Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse.

Integrity and righteousness are the two most important things for a Christian to have.  Uprightness and integrity demonstrate what we believe, and how consistent our walk is with Jesus.  Pray to the Lord to help you keep your promises and strive to be pure before the Lord.  A person has real dignity of character when they have high integrity!

Matthew 5:37 Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

People will come to respect you and follow your lead if you are honest.  Always be truthful saying what you mean and meaning what you say!  Honor your word so that it will be right before the Lord.  Integrity, honor, and respect are the reward for keeping one's word.  Let's all remember to live up to the high standards that the Lord has set before us.

Psalm 25:21 May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you.