Read Ephesians 4:25

Listen to what the Scriptures have to say about keeping your word:

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor. (Ephesians 4:25 NIV)

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus. (Colossians 3:17 NIV)

Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary?
Who may live on your holy hill?
He whose walk is blameless...
who speaks the truth from his heart. (Psalm 15:1–2)

It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. (Ecclesiastes 5:5 NIV)

When a man...takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said. (Numbers 30:2 NIV)

Question: Judging yourself on this matter of keeping your word, are you bridging or widening the credibility gap? Are you encouraging or discouraging others?

Let me help you answer that by using four familiar situations.

1. When you reply, “Yes, I’ll pray for you”—do you?
2. When you tell someone they can depend on you to help them out—can they?
3. When you say you’ll be there at such-and-such a time—are you?
4. When you obligate yourself to pay a debt on time—do you?

Granted, no one’s perfect. But if you fail, do you own up to it? Do you quickly admit your failure to the person you promised and refuse to rationalize around it? If you do you are really rare...but a person of genuine integrity. And one who is an encouragement and can encourage others.

I know another One who promised He would return. He, too, will keep His word. In fact, He’s never broken one promise. There’s no credibility gap with Him. He will return. I can hardly wait to see His smiling face.

Excerpted from Come Before Winter and Share My Hope, Copyright © 1985, 1994 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission.