The Importance of a Promise

A promise is a declaration of intent.


Promise: from the Latin promittere 

Pro: Forward 

Mittere: Send Promise: 


A promise is declaration I make now that will be needed in the future. 


Promise Keeping 


1. I promise to respond, not react. 


(1 Peter 2:23) When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 



(Romans 12:21) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.



2. I promise to focus on the good, not the bad. 


Disillusion means the illusion is gone, and we can see others and situations as they truly are.


There is good and bad in everyone and everything; however, we can decide which we dwell upon. 


Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we respond.


(Philippians 4:8) Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- think about such things.


3. I promise to talk, not walk. 



(Ephesians 4:26-27) Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. 


Not going to sleep before a resolution of conflict is a motivation for reconciliation.  



A Time to Gather Stones


(Ecclesiastes 3:1-5) There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die… There is a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them.


A time to scatter stones refers to stoning someone for their mistakes.


A time to gather refers to gathering stones to build an altar for forgiveness of past mistakes. 


We are only a heartfelt confession away from God's forgiveness.


God can always give you a fresh start.  Satan condemns.  The Holy Spirit convicts and encourages.  



(Genesis 31:44-46) “Come now, let’s make a covenant, you and I, and let it serve as a witness between us.” So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar. He said to his relatives, “Gather some stones.” So they took stones and piled them in a heap, and they ate there by the heap. 


1. Acknowledge my own mistakes. 


(Romans 3:23) For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 


2. Abandon my right to get even.


(Romans 12:19) Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. 


3. Apply God’s grace to others. 


(1 John 4:19) We love because he first loved us.  


Chris Hodges, Church of the Highlands

https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/message/promise-keeping