JOURNEY TO SISTERHOOD: If You Say It, Do it!

"For the upright will inhabit the land,

 those with integrity will remain in it."

(Prov. 2:21)

A woman of the Word is also a woman of her word! There's nothing more harmful to a person's reputation than to be known as one who does not keep her word.

We make promises so frivolously.  Even before some of them come out of our mouths, we know we don't intend to keep them.    The fact that we take so little time to even consider what we're saying is proof enough.

Some make promises out of guilt.  Sister Friend went with you to a certain place and now you feel obligated to return the favor.  When the date comes around, you find a convenient excuse therefore reneging on your promise!

Some make promises to try to fit in.  People Pleasers, always find themselves over engaged and pressured into events and tasks that they don't have the slightest interest in. They constantly find themselves weighing in the balances--Do I go or risk not being asked again and left out for the next big thing?

Once there was no need for contracts, IOUs, promissory notes and the likes because a a woman's word was her bond!  Not any more.  Verbal agreements are now being videotaped and audio-taped for  business purposes. Too many trusts have been broken by people who you thought you could depend on.  Or at least could count on to give you a straight answer.

Let me tell you one Person who doesn't think integrity is passé, out-of-style, or simply blasé -- God! Check this out:  

• “This is what the Lord has commanded. If a man vows a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth. (Numbers 30:1-2)

•  You shall be careful to do what has passed your lips, for you have voluntarily vowed to the Lord your God what you have promised with your mouth. (Deut. 23:23)

• “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil. (Matthew 5:33-37

• But whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: (I John 2:5)

From the Old Testament to the New Testament, the message is the same.  Good human relationships are based on honesty and integrity.  Think before you speak.  Keep your commitments few and your integrity always intact.  If by chance you cannot keep your word, make sure you own it, and/or reach out to the one depending on you, with a sincere apology and an act of good will.  Perhaps offer your time or service for another occasion. 

Knowing integrity's importance to horizontal relationships, how much more do you think it influences our fellowship with the Lord?  W.O.W your Lord and your friends!  Be a Woman of Your Word!

UNTIL NEXT TIME...

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