By bro Lee Tian Seng
Christians should keep their promises, so should husband and wife. Husband and wife made a promise to one another to live faithfully till death. Some have forgotten and broken this promise, resulting in broken marriages. There are other promises in marriage and it is important that we also keep them. For example, the husband made a promise to find a job so that he can support his family. If he does not keep them, what will his wife think of him? Can husband and wife continue to live together in harmony if promises are made but not kept?
God Himself is faithful with His promises and He requires that we be faithful to ours.
Hebrews 10:23 - Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
Laban agreed to give Rachel to Jacob for his wife if he would work for him for seven years. But when the time came, he gave Leah instead (Genesis 29:18-28). In not keeping his promise, Laban deceived Jacob.
Genesis 29:25 - So it came to pass in the morning, that behold, it was Leah. And he said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served you? Why then have you deceived me?”
When a person can keep a promise but knowingly refuses to do so, that is a deceit. Christians should not be deceitful but be men or women of their words, without a need to swear or make an oath.
James 5:12 - But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.
Matthew 5:37 - But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.
The Bible also warns us that those who are not trustworthy are worthy of death.
Roman 1:31-32 - Undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
We do not like it when people make promises and do not keep them, so we should not do it to others. The Golden Rule requires us to do to others as we want them to do to us.
Matthew 7:12 - Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
What happens if your spouse does not keep his or her promise? Before making a judgment, one should find out why the promise is not kept. It could be that your spouse has forgotten or is prevented from keeping the promise due to uncontrollable or unforeseeable circumstances. If a promise is not kept without reason, husband and wife should have an open conversation. If there is a sin, encourage repentance and pray for one another.