What other Scriptures emphasize the importance of keeping promises and commitments? Keeping Commitments: God’s Expectation and Our Example Paul’s Model of Integrity • 2 Corinthians 1:15–17 sets the scene. Paul had promised to visit Corinth, and some accused him of being fickle. — v. 17: “When I planned this, was I careless? Or do I make my plans by human standards, so as to say ‘Yes, yes’ when I really mean ‘No, no’?” • Paul insists his “yes” really is “yes” because the gospel he preaches rests on God’s unchanging faithfulness (vv. 18-20). Keeping his word is part of keeping the gospel credible. Old-Testament Foundations • Numbers 30:2 — “If a man makes a vow to the LORD or swears an oath to bind himself, he must not break his word; he must do all that he has promised.” • Deuteronomy 23:21-23 — God requires prompt payment of vows; better not to vow than to vow and delay. • Joshua 9:18-19 — Israel honors a rash covenant with the Gibeonites because the leaders had “sworn to them by the LORD.” Integrity outweighed inconvenience. • Psalm 15:4 — The righteous person “keeps his oath even when it hurts.” • Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 — Delayed or broken vows label us “fools” before God. • Proverbs 20:25 — A warning against impulsive promises: “It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly, only later to reconsider his vows.” Wisdom Literature: The Heart Behind the Promise • Proverbs 12:22 — “Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are His delight.” • Proverbs 25:14 — Empty promises are like “clouds and wind without rain.” • The pattern: God celebrates faithfulness; He despises hollow words. Jesus on Plain, Honest Speech • Matthew 5:33-37 — Jesus recalls the Law’s demand to fulfill vows, then raises the bar: — v. 37: “Let your ‘Yes’ be yes, and your ‘No,’ no. Anything more comes from the evil one.” • The point: a disciple’s everyday word should be as reliable as a sworn oath. The Apostles Echo the Same Standard • James 5:12 — “Above all, my brothers, do not swear—either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath. Let your ‘Yes’ be Yes and your ‘No,’ No, so that you will not fall under judgment.” • Ephesians 4:25 — “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor.” • Colossians 3:9 — “Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self.” • Galatians 5:22 — The fruit of the Spirit includes “faithfulness”; Spirit-filled people keep their word. God’s Own Unbreakable Promises • Hebrews 10:23 — “Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” • Hebrews 6:17-18 — God confirmed His promise with an oath “so that… we may have strong encouragement.” • 2 Peter 3:9 — “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise… but is patient with you.” • Because God’s character is covenant-keeping, His people are called to mirror that constancy. Putting It All Together 1. Scripture treats vows and casual words alike: both must be trustworthy. 2. Integrity safeguards gospel credibility (Paul), honors God’s holy name (Law), reflects wisdom (Proverbs), and marks Spirit-led living (Epistles). 3. God’s flawless track record is the believer’s motivation and model for keeping every promise, big or small. |
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