Before the world of contracts and fine print, do you remember hearing about agreements that were made on the shake of a hand?

Remember when someone could be trusted “at their word”?

Nowadays, that seems rare. We live in an age of verbal mistrust. So many people break promises that it doesn’t even surprise us anymore. But it shouldn’t be that way—at least, not for followers of Jesus.

In Matthew 5:37 Jesus speaks about misusing oaths and the importance of sincerity and honesty when you talk: “All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” Jesus came into the world full of “grace and truth” (John 1:14). By contrast, Satan is the “father of lies” (John 8:44). So lies are the currency of Satan, and truth is the currency of God.

So what is your verbal currency?

To help it be truth, let me suggest an idea. It’s that people who keep their promises keep track of their promises.

Think about it for a second. If you are going to be a person who is trustworthy and who keeps their promises, you need to know what they are. It’s hard to keep a promise you’ve forgotten.

So think of the promises you’ve made. These can be baptismal promises, marriage vows, church membership promises, a big commitment you’ve made to someone…

And write them down. Have them close by.

I have my promises pasted into the front of my Bible. What about you? Why not put them by your nightstand, or on your fridge, or somewhere else in your daily routine?

People who keep their promises keep track of their promises. 

It’s hard to keep a promise you’ve forgotten.

By Matthew Ruttan

• Today’s “Up!” is based on my Sunday podcast—Part 1 in a new series called “My Word –  How to be a person of your word in a world of verbal mistrust.” Listen in here!
• Bible quotes are from the New International Version.