Top 7 Bible Verses About Keeping Promises

Top 7 Bible Verses About Keeping Promises June 26, 2015

Keeping promises is extremely important in order to keep friends and family close to you. Sometimes, nothing else in the world will hurt as much as a broken promise or turning back from your word. Not surprisingly then, the Bible speaks about keeping promises quite a lot. God, after all, is One who always keeps his promises and is incapable of lying or deceiving anyone. He is always true to His word and always delivers on it. As such, we are to emulate Him and strive to maintain that kind of candor and strength in keeping promises. Hopefully this article will help you see some of the important things the Bible has to say about keeping promises. Here are the top 7 Bible verses about keeping promises.

“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 30:2 ESV

Although found in the Old Testament, this is definitely applicable to today. The Israelites were essentially commanded to keep any vows they make.

“I will not violate my covenant or alter the word that went forth from my lips.” Psalm 89:34 ESV

Bible Verses About Keeping Promises

This verse in a Psalm truly reflects the writer’s feelings towards keeping his word: he knows that it is crucial to keep it. He is deciding that he will keep his covenant (like a promise) and not violate it in any way.

“Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil” Matthew 5:37 ESV

This verse is quoted a lot in regards to keeping your word, and rightfully so! Our speech should never be clouded in ambiguity or deceit.

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 ESV

God is our example of someone who perfectly fulfills His word—every time!

“God is not man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Has he said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will he not fulfill it?” Numbers 23:19 ESV

If God says it, you can count on Him to do it. Can we say the same thing in our own lives? Will other people say it of us?

“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.’” Matthew 5:33 ESV

The Old Testament definitely was applicable to the people living in New Testament times, evidenced by Jesus and others quoting directly from it—even about keeping promises!

“And now I am about to go the way of all the earth, and you know in your hearts and souls, all of you, that not one word has failed of all the good things that the Lord your God promised concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one of them has failed.” Joshua 23:14 ESV

Joshua is a book filled with victories, and although it seems to show the victories of a people group it’s really the victories of the Almighty God. He promised things to Israel years before the events in Joshua happened, and He fulfilled them perfectly! None of His promises have failed—and none will ever fail if He’s the One who promised them!

Conclusion

All of these verses, amongst others found throughout the pages of Scripture, speak of how God is true to His word all the time and why we ought to be, too. Not only did God command us to be people of our word and to keep promises, but He gave us the ultimate example of someone who did it: Himself! He did not leave us without an example, and this should encourage us as we seek to be people who emulate Him and keep our promises to others. We must not make promises that we do not think we should keep. Are there any other verses in the Bible that you think should be included in this list? Go ahead and leave it (or them) in a comment below for other people to read and be encouraged by!

Article By Michael Krauzer

Michael Krauszer is the founder of ChristianLitReview.com, a website dedicated to providing a Christian perspective on all forms of literature. Additionally, Michael has been a full-time staff member at Calvary Chapel Old Bridge for the last four years, working as a Ministry Assistant and Pastoral Intern. He received his Bachelor of Arts in English from The College of New Jersey and is currently in pursuit of his MA in Theological Studies from Veritas Evangelical Seminary.


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