Before we get into this post, let me address the elephant in the room. I know in my ‘Commitment’ post I made a bold statement that I will post twice a week, which I haven’t.   I won’t bore you with details or roll out a load of excuses. I accept I may have spoken too soon, and with too much ambition when I made that statement.

It’s easy to get carried away with words and promises which is why we are encouraged to be slow to speak (James 1:19).  God takes words very seriously; I mean He created heaven and earth with His word. All we see around us is evidence of the power of words (read the creation story in Genesis 1).

 

Being someone who is known for keeping their word is a noble and important characteristic.

Being someone who is known for keeping their word means that God can trust you to do what you say.

Being someone who is known for keeping their word helps in building relationships with others.

The scripture encourages us not to make oaths or swear on anything.  It’s quite simple God requires us to mean what we say and say what we mean, anything else e.g. ‘I swear’ is considered unnecessary: ‘And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black, All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.’ (Matthew 5:37)

When I map out the different things that make me who I am, there are particular phrases and descriptions that I desire to see more often.  I want to be known as:

 

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‘A Woman of Integrity

A Woman of My Word’.

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Let me share a story with you…

Recently, a close friend celebrated her birthday, I knew about her dinner for a while and had RSVP’d that I would be there.  Now, that particular day I also had other commitments, so I was stretched.  I had 4 places to go and one was a whole day affair. Throughout the day I was battling with myself as to whether I should go out to the dinner or not.  I was shattered from a long and emotionally draining week at work, my weekend was full of events I had to attend, plus I had things at home to sort out.  I felt the spirit constantly remind me that I said I would go so I had to honour my word and go.

Reluctantly, I decided that I would go.

Now looking for a way out I asked a friend what she thought I should do. I explained how tired I was and all the other things I had to do, unmoved she said:  ‘Go!  Be a woman of integrity.  When you say you are going to do something, do it!’

I rolled my eyes and said, ‘you’re so annoying; I was hoping you’d tell me to go home and rest’.

She replied, ‘ermm why would I do that, I’m learning to be a woman of my word, so why would I tell you otherwise?’

So I made that long journey to her dinner.

I didn’t stay for long, I wished her happy birthday gave her a present, had a little chit-chat and then left.

On the way home, I started moaning about the long journey and how tired I felt. 

I literally felt the Spirit of God reprimand me for moaning and reminded me that:

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To be trusted because of your word is a great honour.

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God says He honours His Word more than His name.  This just shows the weight He places on what He says He will do, Whom He says He is and regards this more important than What He is.

And He is a lot of great things:

• Strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle – Psalm 24:8 

• The Lord is Faithful – 2 Thessalonians 3:3

• Holy and Almighty – Revelation 4:8

• God is love – 1 John 4:7

• God is Sovereign – Jeremiah 32:17

 

We often use the saying ‘actions speak louder than words’, which basically mean words that do not materialise or accomplish what they are purposed to do are meaningless.

Therefore, it is important to choose your words wisely, be careful with your words; say what you mean, and mean what you say.

 

Just a few questions to ask yourself

• What do your words say about you?
• When you speak, do people take it with a pinch of salt?
• Do they second guess you?
• Or do people take you for your word?
• Can they rely on you?
• Do they believe you?
• Can they trust you?
• Can God trust you?

 

As we strive towards being men and women of integrity, let’s work on the words that come out of our mouth.

Let the words that come out of our mouths be true.  Let them be as binding as a contract, meaning we should perform and follow through with the action, or agreement made.

If people cannot trust us with the small things we say, how do we expect to be trusted with bigger, more important things?

In truth and with love,

Faith xox