How Good Is Your Word?

"...who swears to his own hurt and does not change;" Psalm 15:4b

hurt: hurt, punishes

change: alter, dispose of, remove, change

Ever make a promise that hurt to keep? In David's culture, a good name and reputation were extremely important. They still should be.

Proverbs 22:1 says, "A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold."

So an honorable person would rather suffer some loss or hardship than to have their name or reputation damaged by breaking their word.

How important is your word to you?

With the kids: This might be my very biggest area of trouble in "keeping my word", because as you know, everything you say to a child is a promise. When you say you'll go home and read stories, they expect that to happen. So even if you get a flat tire on the way home and spend an hour waiting on someone to come rescue and get you home, and nap time is an hour past due, they still expect you to keep your promise and read stories.  Do your kids think you keep your work? That your promises are solid?

Memorizing:

Psalm 15

 ¹LORD, WHO shall dwell [temporarily] in Your tabernacle? Who shall dwell [permanently] on Your holy hill?

    ²He who walks and lives uprightly and blamelessly, who works rightness and justice and speaks and thinks the truth in his heart,

    ³He who does not slander with his tongue, nor does evil to his friend, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor;

    ⁴In whose eyes a vile person is despised, but he who honors those who fear the Lord (who revere and worship Him); who swears to his own hurt and does not change;