Keeping Vows and Consideration for Others
Open Your Bible
Deuteronomy 23:1-25, Deuteronomy 24:1-22, Matthew 5:31-37, Matthew 19:3-9
BY Tameshia Williams
We go to great legal lengths to hold individuals and corporations to their word, with airtight contracts that detail all the terms of agreement. And when a breach of contract happens, it’s recognized as a serious offense. Today’s reading reminds us of the importance of making good on our word.
Be careful to do whatever comes from your lips, because you have freely vowed what you promised to the LORD your God (Deuteronomy 23:23).
In the time of the Old Testament, vow-keeping involved promising God an offering or action in response to His help or provision concerning a particular matter. In the New Testament, Jesus references these instructions, asserting that our “yes” should be “yes” and our “no” should mean “no” (Matthew 5:37). We are to be people of our word, a people who live truthfully—in front of God and among our neighbors.
When we commit to something, we do it with the intention of following through. Our words are an expression of our character, and we honor God when they are honest and authentic. Keeping our word is also a show of respect and care to those to whom we gave our word. How disappointing empty promises are. I’ll be there…I’ll pay you back next week… Yes, I’ll do that. Commitment without the intention to follow through is not only disappointing to others, but it also dishonors God.
Sometimes we say yes in the moment, or we overcommit. These days, it’s easy to over promise our time and even money without realizing that we’ve done it. Sometimes, we’ve tried our best to keep our word, but we just can’t. These things happen; but they should be exceptions. God’s instructions in Deuteronomy and Matthew remind us of the way in which we should live our lives.
They also challenge us to be honest with ourselves and identify opportunities for growth related to honoring our commitments. Perhaps, we do overcommit far too often. Or perhaps, lately, it’s just seemed hard to follow through on even the smaller things. These could be signals, pointing to a need to reduce busyness or to reevaluate our time management priorities.
There’s a sweet grace in Jesus’s “yes” and “no” instructions. We don’t have to say yes to everything. We get to say no sometimes, even often! Living truthfully brings balance to our lives, allowing us to be good stewards with the time and resources the Lord has entrusted to us.
Let’s continue to honor God with truthfulness in our words and actions. And let’s ask Him to continue to help us to live honestly among others.
50 thoughts on "Keeping Vows and Consideration for Others"
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I have a friend who I have always looked up to as a godly woman. But she falls so short in this area, and it is so hurtful. Constantly saying she’ll be at things (my wedding included) & not showing up. The Lord is teaching me to have grace with her, but I couldn’t help but think of her when reading this passage. I don’t want that to be me. I want people to be able to count on what I say & count on me. I want to glorify God in that way & I just pray that He convicts her in the same way. The hurt she has caused me, the Lord is using to grow my own character.. which is honestly such a beautiful thing.
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“Our words are an expression of our character and we honor God when they (our words) are honest and authentic”…. “ keeping our word is a show of respect and care to those whom we gave our word”.
God wants the glory so if by keeping my word gives Him the glory count me in!! Also you are His- perfectly made so Respect yourself (and others) by keeping your word! God wants us to love (respect and care) for one another- we are called to be a people of His word (truth)therefore we should keep our word!!! Sending LOVE to each and every one of my sisters!! -
“Our words are an expression of our character and we honor God when they (our words) are honest and authentic”…. “ keeping our word is a show of respect and care to those whom we gave our word”. God wants the glory so if by keeping my word gives Him the glory count me in!! Also you are His- perfectly made so Respect yourself (and others) by keeping your word! God wants us to love (respect and care) for one another.
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Such a good reminder of being a person of integrity and following through with what I’ve said.
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The podcast did, indeed, help with the regulations/rules that seem so odd to us. It helped to put the right context around the rules that God gave (based on what was happening).
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Whether or not she did, she became a direct ancestor of Jesus. What a privilege!
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I’m forever thankful for all of your comments, and the unique insight each of you She’s adds to the day’s reading (especially for tougher subjects like today’s). One thing that really stood out to me was God’s continued reminder to not be greedy – don’t try to grab up every last bit of provision or wealth you have, but leave some so that it can be a blessing to those in need. This is such a simple request, and I pray that I keep it at the front of my heart all my days. Many mid-week blessings, sisters! xx
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Reading these verses today reminded me of how we should all treat others with the amount of respect we would like to be given. Also I believe we should all get off of our high horses and think about other people rather than just ourselves on our journey of life. I think the world would be a different place if we would all do that and stick to it.
Jesus loves you!
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