DO YOU KEEP YOUR WORD?

"But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall
give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be
justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned"
(Matthew 12:36, 37).

There is much more to parenting than feeding and clothing our children, isn't there? We are daily training their characters and their mindsets. A quote by George Barna says: "Whatever a child believes by age 13 is in most cases what he will die believing." I believe it is the same regarding character.

The mandate to keep our word has always been a foundation of good character. However, this basic underpinning of life seems to have flown out the window. People today think nothing of not keeping to their word-in the little things of life, and consequently in the bigger things.

People say they will do something and yet don't. People inform a host or hostess they are coming to a function but never turn up (not even a call to inform them of the reason).

We all need a reminder to keep to our word, don't we? But we must also be faithful to impart this character into our children's lives-and not let them get away with it. It should be a habit of their lives.

The Bible speaks about it in Psalm 15:4c. The psalm begins with the question of who can enter into God's presence and then gives give 10-character qualities. One of them is: "He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not."

The New Living Translation says: "who keep their promises even when it hurts."

The Moffat says: "He keeps his oath, though he may lose by it."

Most translations say: "who keeps his word whatever the cost."

Read the above Scriptures again. We need to get this truth into our very being. I believe it is important to always keep to our first commitment. Sometimes we commit ourselves to something and then something far more exciting or enjoyable comes up that coincides with our first appointment. It's very tempting to choose the second, but that's not keeping to our word.

I remember one time I committed myself to speaking at a Ladies Seminar in California. They said it was only going to be small, about 12 - 15 ladies, but they desperately needed me to come. So I gave my word.

But then I received an invitation to speak at a big family conference on the same weekend where there would be thousands attending. I was very tempted to change my commitment thinking that it would be far more beneficial to get the word out to so many more people. But my faithful husband was right there to remind me: "No, Nancy, you have already given your word. You cannot change." And so I kept to my first commitment because it was the right thing to do.

Let's teach this important principle to our children, even when it seems like a sacrifice to do it. Doing what is right, even when it is hard, works character in our lives. It is also etiquette. And it also shows that we are thinking of the other person instead of ourselves. This is a trait we need to reestablish in this "me generation."

1 Thessalonians 5:24 says: "Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it." This speaks of God's character. He is faithful to fulfil what He says. He wants us to have the same character trait.

PRAYER:
"Dear Father, I thank You that You are a faithful God. You fulfil every word You speak. Please help me to have this same godly anointing. I want to have the testimony of a faithful person who always keeps my word. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:
My word is my bond!

Blessings from Nancy Campbell
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