How often have you heard someone comment, “Promises, promises—all I ever get is promises!”

How often have you had to call a plumber, electrician or some service agent due to them not coming as they promised? Or, “The check was mailed yesterday.” Or, “We promise to get that out to you first thing tomorrow.” Again, “The person who handles that has been away sick; please give us a few days.”

The fact is that this is an age when many promises are made, but few are kept.

Politicians in an election year make promises that, in reality, they know they cannot keep, or never intend to.

Advertisers promise instant success—happiness—if you use a certain product. By drinking a particular soft drink, you will have “a whole new way of life!”

For the most part, these promises are never fulfilled.

For us as Christians, living a way that demands promises be made and sincerely kept, it behooves us to understand the importance of keeping our word.

As someone once said, “A promise made is a debt unpaid.”

Satan was the first to make a promise he could not keep. He promised Adam and Eve eternal life (Genesis 3:4).

The first ingredients of Christian character are integrity and honesty. We must practice what we preach.

Luke 16:10-12 state: “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?”

God’s Word is full of exhortation on keeping promises. The Apostle Paul commonly uses the word (Romans 4:13-14; Galatians 3:16).

God always keeps His promises. The word promises in the New Testament often refers to those God made to Abraham and the other patriarchs about sending the Messiah. The Holy Spirit of promise (Ephesians 1:13) is the power God promised those who would believe in Him. The first commandment with promise is “Honour thy father and mother” (Ephesians 6:2); the promise is that our days shall be long upon the Earth (Exodus 20:12).

We need this godly quality. It takes work to develop the character to keep promises. Even the simple ones—such as “I will call you tomorrow,” “I will be there on time,” and “I will return that to you as soon as I am finished”—are also important.

The value you put on your word should not vary with circumstances. Be sure you can really do what you are about to promise.

Should you be unable to keep your promise due to an unfortunate circumstance, immediately contact the person(s) to whom you made the pledge. Replace the promise you find yourself unable to keep with another that you can keep.

Remember, your credibility is on the line. Break a promise once, and real damage is done.

Christian character is what we are; reputation is what others think we are.

It has been graphically described: “Man is very much like a crate of apples. The apples that are seen on top are his reputation, but the apples that are below represent his character.”

A reputation, once broken, may possibly be repaired; however, there will be those who will always tend to keep an eye on the spot where the crack was.

The promises we make to ourselves could well be the most important of all, whether they include overcoming a spiritual problem, making certain family commitments, or the promise made at baptism to let God’s Holy Spirit live in us.

We promised to overcome and grow and strive for the Kingdom of God.

In this last hour we would do well to remember: “A promise made is a debt unpaid.”

Think on these things.