Have you ever made a commitment that made you later have second thoughts?
Why is it that we are so quick to make a promise that we just as quickly realize was a mistake?
The Bible has a lot to say about making sure that the words that we speak are truthful and that we follow through with our commitments. A person’s words should be their bond. A characteristic that too many people have forgotten… or worse, never been told.
There is a story in 1 Samuel 14 about a battle between the Israelites and the Philistines. King Saul makes a rash command that none of his army is to eat any food until they defeat the invading army. By the end of the day, Saul’s army is exhausted because they have obeyed the king’s command.
Saul’s rash command hinders his army from an even greater victory because they had no way to renew their strength. In verse 25, the army comes across a hive of honey, but no one eats any except the king’s son who did not hear the command.
Thus, the battle against their enemy is not a complete and total victory, all because of some rash words spoken without thought. Even the king’s son realizes the foolishness of the king’s command.
1 Samuel 14:28-30 NKJV Then one of the people said, “Your father strictly charged the people with an oath, saying, ‘Cursed is the man who eats food this day.’ “ And the people were faint. (29) But Jonathan said, “My father has troubled the land. Look now, how my countenance has brightened because I tasted a little of this honey. (30) How much better if the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies which they found! For now would there not have been a much greater slaughter among the Philistines?”
We often find ourselves in the same boat. We think we are motivating ourselves or others and soon we realize that we have put ourselves in a hard position. We find ourselves in a situation that we soon regret and worse, we can put others in a place of hardship or unrealistic expectations. The book of James in the Bible is one of those practical books that we should spend more time studying and meditating on. It would keep us from sticking our feet in our mouth. James 1:19-20 NKJV So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; (20) for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
If we would slow down before we jump into a promise or before we commit to some project, and really spend some time in pray about the topic or the request that we have received, we will be FAR better off. After all, IF we belong to Christ Jesus, HE should be the one we check in with before we obligate ourselves to something when Jesus may have different plans for us. It is always good to check with the BOSS.
But once we make a commitment, we need to make sure that we keep our word. Once we give our commitment then we need to honor that word. Proverbs 22:1 NKJV A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold. If our word is known to be good, then it will go well for us, and even for our children. When people can trust your word, then you are an example of the characteristic of God. HE always keeps HIS word. And there is no higher honor than to represent our HEAVENLY FATHER’S character by keeping our word like HE keeps HIS.
SO, don’t be in such a hurry. Let your heart be directed by the SPIRIT OF GOD and not the heat of the moment. Allow yourself and others time to get direction so that there will be no regret in the commitment.