Keeping your word is a sign of integrity.
It shows that you are trustworthy, reliable, and honest.
But in today’s world, broken promises seem to be everywhere.
People say one thing but do another.
They make commitments but fail to follow through.
Does God care if we keep our word?
Does it really matter if we break a promise or go back on something we said?
The Bible is clear: God values honesty, and He expects His people to be faithful in their words.
Let’s explore what the Bible teaches about keeping your word and why it is so important.
God Keeps His Word
Before we talk about our own words, we must first understand that God is the ultimate example of faithfulness.
Numbers 23:19 says, “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?”
This verse reminds us that God is different from people.
He never breaks a promise.
Every word He speaks is true and trustworthy.
Throughout the Bible, we see examples of God keeping His word.
He promised Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars, and He fulfilled that promise (Genesis 15:5).
He told the Israelites He would bring them to the Promised Land, and He did (Joshua 21:45).
He sent Jesus as the Savior, just as He promised in the Old Testament (Luke 24:44).
God is always faithful, and He expects His followers to reflect His character by being faithful in their words as well.
The Power of Your Words
Words are not just sounds that disappear after they are spoken.
They carry weight and have the power to build up or tear down.
Proverbs 18:21 says, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
This means that what we say matters.
When we make a promise, it is not just empty words—it is a commitment.
Jesus emphasized this when He said in Matthew 12:36, “But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.”
God takes our words seriously, and so should we.
The Importance of Keeping Your Promises
The Bible teaches that breaking a promise is not just a small mistake—it is a form of dishonesty.
Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 warns, “When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.”
This verse shows that God expects people to keep their commitments, whether to Him or to others.
If we make a promise, we must do everything we can to fulfill it.
In the Old Testament, making an oath was a serious matter.
People would swear by God’s name to show that they were telling the truth.
Breaking an oath was seen as a major sin.
Leviticus 19:12 says, “Do not swear falsely by my name and so profane the name of your God. I am the Lord.”
Even today, keeping our word is a sign of respect—not just for others, but for God Himself.
Jesus’ Teaching on Oaths
Jesus took the idea of keeping your word to an even higher standard.
In Matthew 5:33-37, He said:
“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all… All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”
Jesus taught that honesty should be a natural part of a believer’s life.
If we are truthful in all we do, there is no need to swear by anything.
Our “yes” should mean “yes,” and our “no” should mean “no.”
This means we should not make empty promises or exaggerate just to sound convincing.
People should know that when we say something, we mean it.
The Consequences of Breaking Your Word
Breaking a promise can have serious consequences.
It can damage relationships, ruin trust, and even affect our relationship with God.
Proverbs 10:9 says, “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.”
People who do not keep their word eventually lose the trust of others.
Once someone is known for breaking promises, their words carry little value.
One of the saddest examples of broken promises in the Bible is Peter’s denial of Jesus.
In Matthew 26:33-35, Peter boldly promised that he would never abandon Jesus.
Yet, just hours later, he denied knowing Him three times.
Peter’s words were empty because he did not follow through.
Thankfully, Jesus forgave Peter and restored him, but this story shows how easy it is to say something and fail to keep it.
How to Be a Person of Your Word
Becoming someone who always keeps their word requires intentionality.
The Bible gives practical guidance on how to live a life of integrity.
First, think before you speak.
Proverbs 29:20 warns, “Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them.”
Many broken promises happen because people speak without thinking.
Before making a commitment, consider if you can realistically fulfill it.
Second, follow through on what you say.
James 2:17 reminds us that “faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
Saying the right things is not enough—we must act on our words.
Third, be honest when you make mistakes.
If you realize you cannot keep a promise, do not ignore it.
Instead, admit it and make things right.
Proverbs 28:13 says, “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”
People appreciate honesty, and admitting a mistake is better than pretending it never happened.
Keeping Your Word in Small Things
Faithfulness is not just about big promises—it is also about small commitments.
Luke 16:10 teaches, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.”
This means that if we are honest in small matters, we will be trusted with greater responsibilities.
If we tell someone we will call them back, we should do it.
If we promise to help with something, we should show up.
These small acts of faithfulness build a reputation of trustworthiness.
Over time, they show that we are people of integrity who take our words seriously.
God’s Grace When We Fall Short
There will be times when we fail to keep our word.
Even the most honest person may forget a promise or fall short in a commitment.
When this happens, we must turn to God for grace and restoration.
First John 1:9 gives us this assurance: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
God is always ready to forgive, but He also calls us to grow.
If we struggle with keeping our word, we can ask Him for strength and wisdom to do better.
With His help, we can become people whose words are reliable and true.
Final Thoughts
Keeping your word is a reflection of your character and your faith.
The Bible teaches that God is always faithful, and He expects His followers to be the same.
When we keep our promises, we show integrity, build trust, and honor God.
Breaking our word leads to damaged relationships and lost credibility, but faithfulness brings blessing and respect.
Jesus taught that our “yes” should mean “yes” and our “no” should mean “no.”
This means being intentional with our commitments and following through on what we say.
If we fail, God offers grace and the chance to make things right.
Let’s strive to be people who keep our word—because in a world filled with broken promises, honesty and integrity shine brightly.