PROMISES by S. A. Bowen

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 14, 1877

PROMISES

By S. A. Bowen

Promises should be made only with carefulness. Our word, especially if we profess to be God's children, should be sacred. It is impossible for God to lie, and if we are truly his children, we shall be very particular to keep our promises.

But is it telling a lie to break a promise? It can be no better, unless an unavoidable hindrance arises; and the Bible gives a rule; so we need not get into that difficulty even. Instead of saying we will do thus and so, we should say, “If the Lord will.” Please read James 4:15. Many say, “Oh! I don't think it is necessary to say that;” or, “I mean that, of course.” But nobody knows what you think unless you tell your thoughts, and we have direct counsel what to say; besides, if it really is in your heart, why not say it? This rule is important, or inspiration would not have given it. “By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”

No person can have a good influence without a sacred regard for his or her word. Nobody will trust you after you have two or three times made and broken a promise; and when people lose confidence in you, how can you have an influence with them?

We, as S. D. Adventists, need to be especially careful to preserve a strictly upright walk and conversation before all. Let us break up the habit, if we have fallen into it, of saying while under a kind impulse, “Yes, I will help you;” “I will see what I can do,” and never doing anything. It is better not to vow than to vow and not pay. S. A. BOWEN.