Keep Your Word
Posted by Karah
When actor Gary Sinise gave his word to Marine Cpl. J.B. Kerns, he intended to keep it. So, he did.
In March, Sinise and his band, the Lt. Dan Band, were set to perform at a benefit concert to raise money for Kerns, a Virginia Marine who lost part of his right arm and both legs below the knee in Afghanistan last year. Sinise had to cancel that appearance because of a car accident, but rescheduled it for May 24, 2012.
Sinise didn’t say why he chose to keep his word to Cpl. Kerns, but Christians do have a reason to keep their word. Read Matthew 5:33-37 in your Bible. Pay close attention to verse 37.
Oath—noun
• a solemn usually formal calling upon God or a god to witness to the truth of what one says, or to witness that one sincerely intends to do what one says
• a solemn attestation of the truth or inviolability of one’s words • something (as a promise) corroborated by an oath
Behind the Story
In Jesus’ day, oaths to God were considered binding. Therefore, Jews would avoid using God’s name in their oaths and sub in other things (like heaven, earth, Jerusalem, or their own heads). In this passage, Jesus condemns that sort of flippant, careless type of speech. Your yes should be yes. Your no should be no. You should keep your word.
Take Action
Take some time to evaluate yourself. How well do you keep your word . . .
to your parents?
to your friends?
to your teachers?
to coaches/teammates?
to your counselors/cabinmates?
to your church?
to God?
Posted in Devotions, Girls | Tagged Camp Crestridge for Girls, Reprinted from ec magazine. © 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission., Ridgecrest Summer Camps, Weekly Devotions