The Power of Promises: How Keeping Your Word Changes Your Life and Faith

Introduction We’ve all made promises we didn’t keep—especially to ourselves. Whether it’s waking up earlier, starting a daily Bible habit, or stopping a behavior we know isn’t helping, those broken commitments leave a mark. But something powerful happens when we start keeping our word. I’m Pastor Joe, and in this week’s "Word of the Week," I’m sharing how promises—especially small, daily ones—can shape your spiritual life, identity, and relationships.

1. God Is a Promise Keeper Numbers 23:19 says, "God is not a man, that He should lie... Has He said, and will He not do it?" From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture is filled with examples of God keeping His promises. He promises peace, presence, and purpose—and He delivers.

I discovered this truth the hard way. A sudden cancer diagnosis flipped my world upside down. In that dark hospital room after surgery, I began reflecting. I realized I had built a reputation as someone who kept promises to others, but I often broke promises to myself. God reminded me that He always keeps His word—and if I wanted to grow in faith and integrity, I needed to take my own promises seriously, too.

2. Your Identity Is Shaped by the Promises You Keep Matthew 5:37 says, "Let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.'"

Every time you follow through on your word, you strengthen your identity. You build trust with yourself. But every time you break a promise, even a small one, you chip away at your confidence and spiritual authority.

Saying "No" used to be hard for me. As a people pleaser, I could say "Yes" with ease, but learning to let my "No" mean "No" took discipline. When your yes and no both have weight, you start to live in alignment. Each promise you keep becomes a statement: "This is who I am."

3. Spiritual Promises Lead to Real Transformation Ecclesiastes 5:4–5 tells us that it's better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.

We often look for big spiritual breakthroughs, but it’s the small, consistent commitments that lead to transformation. Cancer wasn’t what changed me—it was what I did afterward. I started opening my Bible each morning before checking my phone. I started fasting from negativity. I began showing up for God and myself daily.

These small promises weren’t just behavior changes. They were spiritual declarations. They said, "God, I’m ready to grow."

4. Promises Build Relationships Psalm 15:4 honors those "who keep an oath even when it hurts."

Relationships thrive on trust—and trust is built by keeping promises. This is true with friends, spouses, coworkers, and especially with God. One of the most powerful biblical examples of this is Jonathan and David.

Jonathan was the son of King Saul and heir to the throne. But when David was chosen by God, Jonathan made a covenant promise to support and protect him. He gave David his robe, armor, and even helped him escape Saul’s wrath. Long after Jonathan’s death, David honored that promise by caring for Jonathan’s son and giving him a place at the king’s table (2 Samuel 9).

That kind of loyalty isn’t just touching—it’s sacred. And it starts with one kept promise.

5. One Small Promise Can Start Big Change You don’t need a 90-day plan. You need one small promise. Then keep it.

It could be:

• I will read one Psalm each morning.

• I will thank God out loud before bed.

• I will go on a 10-minute prayer walk each day.

• I will speak gently even when I’m tired.

Write it down. Say it out loud. Ask a friend to hold you accountable. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s momentum. Each day you keep that promise, you build confidence. You grow in character. And you grow closer to God.

Faith Assignment This week, make one promise to yourself—and keep it every day for seven days. Make it small. Make it meaningful. Let it mark a turning point in your faith journey.

When you keep a promise, you're not just checking off a box. You're becoming the person God created you to be.

Want More? Visit PastorJoe.com to hear more podcast episodes, read more blog posts, or send in a prayer request. If this post helped you, share it with a friend. Let’s build something real—together