Women

---

Say What You Mean, Mean What You Say

Be a woman of your word to the best of your personal ability. Let me say it another way: if you make a verbal commitment with your mouth to do something, be sure to follow through. Finish to completion a task that you commit to. So few people in the world today practice this principle; therefore, doing so can cause you to stand out within your church and in the world outside.

Sometimes we get so excited about something new and different in the Christian world; so, we make some kind of commitment to be on a committee, or to serve as a volunteer, or perhaps to work in children’s ministry. Later, when our emotions about the thing run dry, we find ourselves with little desire to follow through. At times like this, we must turn to God’s Word to find out the right way to handle ourselves. Don’t drop out on the people who are depending on you. Keep your commitment and honor your word—even if it costs you something. And it very well may!

Lord, who shall dwell [temporarily] in Your tabernacle? Who shall dwell [permanently] on Your holy hill? He who walks and lives uprightly and blamelessly, who works rightness and justice and speaks and thinks the truth in his heart…who swears to his own hurt and does not change…(Psalm 15:1-2, 4)

If you want to dwell with God in His tabernacle, (or walk in close fellowship with Him), the Bible tells you what to do. I haven’t copied each of the ideas mentioned in Psalm 15, but I pulled the one I want you to see right now. He “who swears to his own hurt and does not change…” is the one who can dwell permanently on God’s holy hill. After reading this Psalm it becomes obvious to me that saying what you mean, and meaning what you say is an idea important to God. You may even slip and make a commitment that it hurts you to keep! I know that my husband and I have done that before.

I remember times when we’ve offered to give someone a ride, or to buy their lunch. Well, at the time of the offer, we really felt like doing it. Then, later when we weren’t as excited as before, we felt like backing out on our commitment. To the best of our ability we always followed through, and have repented for the times that we couldn’t or didn’t. We became extremely motivated in the area of following through—especially after we realized how important it is to God.

I have heard Joyce Meyer share personal stories about this same idea. In her conferences and on teaching tapes she has recounted how pastors over the years have committed to partner with her financially after experiencing one of her life-changing meetings. These pastors were super-charged after being in the presence of God, and learning about all the powerful outreaches of Joyce Meyer Ministries. Later, however, perhaps when their emotions were calmed down they didn’t feel like giving anymore. Or perhaps they didn’t have the financial ability to do what they had originally committed to. Whatever the case, she is sure they had good intentions—but failed to follow through on their verbal commitments. After all the promises, she rarely saw one penny.

Due to these experiences, she encourages others to at least make a phone call when they can’t follow through on something…at least make the effort to communicate. I agree with her wholeheartedly!

We can all make mistakes in this area—but be man or woman enough to apologize for making a commitment you can’t keep! Just kindly explain why you won’t be able to do what you committed to earlier.

My husband and I have chosen to partner with a few different ministries that we feel God has directed us toward. (The money that we send to them could be labeled as an offering, because our tithe goes into the local church where we are pastors.) Well, not too long ago, we encountered some circumstances that caused our income to change dramatically. We discovered that we no longer had the means to send the kind of offerings that we committed to in the beginning. Because of this turn of events, I made efforts to communicate with these ministries about our change in income. I made phone calls to a couple and sent notes through the mail to others. No matter what, I wanted to let them know about our situation so they could plan their finances accordingly.

When you partner financially with a ministry, that ministry makes plans for the future based on those who say they will give offerings. Therefore, I knew that our inability to give what we had given in the past would affect them. I let them know that we would continue with our support as soon as possible, and were praying that the day would come soon. They appreciated our communication!

Was it totally convenient for me? Not really. Did it take a little extra time? Indeed. But the principle is important to God and therefore important to us.

Following through in God’s House

Let’s apply the same principle in the House of the Lord among your ladies. If you tell someone that you’ll give her a call this week, be sure to do it. If you repeatedly tell some sister that you want to meet her for coffee or lunch, do it. If you promise to provide brownies for the women’s meeting on Saturday morning, do what you have to in order to get the job done. Not only does God desire this kind of follow through, but it gives you a good reputation among your ladies as well. Remember, if they notice you taking your commitments lightly, they’ll do the same among each other. You set the tone in so many realms.

Not too long ago, a woman under my care committed to sew together an outfit for one of my son’s stuffed animals. I walked in mid way through their conversation that evening and only caught the tail end of it…but my little boy was really excited about it! About a month after that, she and her family became ruffled with us and never returned to our church. I guess she forgot about what she and my son talked over…but he didn’t. He asked about what she promised a couple of times. I explained to him that even adults make mistakes, and that she didn’t mean to hurt him. Isaac is a pretty mature, understanding kid; therefore, the whole thing didn’t bother him too much. But what if it had?

And do not swear by your head, for you are not able to make a single hair white or black. Let your Yes be simply Yes, and your No be simply No; anything more than that comes from the evil one. (Matthew 5: 36-37)

When I was a kid, I heard friends say things like, “I swear on my own life!” Or, “I swear on my dead grandma’s grave!” Jesus said this isn’t a good idea! If we’re not to swear by our own head, then I think it’s safe to say we shouldn’t swear by anyone else’s! After all, anything more than our “yes” or “no” comes from the evil one. I don’t know about you, but I don’t wish to invite the evil one into my life in any way.

Remember that operating in this principle will make your light shine brighter—not only inside the Church, but outside as well. The ladies you minister to will take note if you do what you commit to do. An employer will notice your high level of character and integrity. Your children will see how much you love them because you do what you said you would. This truth can enhance your life and the lives of those around you!

(This article is an excerpt from the book Leading Ladies in the House of God, by author Brigit Lee.)

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE