Episode 025: Your Word Is Your Bond
Script
Welcome back to The Daily Spirit. Thursday, January 8th, 2026. Five minutes of spirit-filled encouragement to start what might just be the best day of your life.
Do you keep your promises? The big ones. And the small ones. The "I'll call you back." The "I'll be there at 7." The "I'll send that over today."
I'm going to be honest with you. This one is personal.
I used to over-promise constantly. Even as recently as last year. I'd commit to things I wasn't sure I could deliver. I'd say yes when I should have said maybe. I'd give timelines I knew were tight.
It's one of the worst qualities I've had. And I'm still working to evolve from it.
Here's why it matters. Jesus addressed this directly. In Matthew 5, He says:
"Just say 'yes' and 'no.' When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong."
That's it. Yes means yes. No means no. Don't dress it up. Don't hedge. Don't over-promise to look good and under-deliver later.
Yesterday we talked about Bonhoeffer's "Cost of Discipleship." He has a whole section on this. He writes about the importance of saying "God willing" for anything outside your control. You can commit with all your earthly capacity to something. But if there's any question of whether you can actually do it, you have to acknowledge that it's ultimately in God's hands.
This isn't weakness. It's wisdom.
Here's the thing about ambitious Christians. We want to do big things. We want to say yes to opportunities. We want to show up and deliver.
But society breaks down when people don't keep their word. Relationships break down. Trust breaks down. Your reputation breaks down.
I have no tolerance for people who don't keep their word anymore. And that means I have to hold myself to that same standard.
So today, before you commit to something, ask yourself: Can I actually do this? Am I saying yes because I want to please someone, or because I can deliver?
If it's a yes, make it a real yes. If it's uncertain, say "God willing" or "I'll try, but I can't promise." That's not weak. That's honest. That's biblical.
Let your yes be yes.
Let's speak some truth and life over your day. Repeat after me.
I keep my word.
My yes means yes.
I only commit to what I can deliver.
I honor God with my integrity.
This will be the best day of my life.
Go get after it. God is with you. Talk tomorrow.
Substack Post
Title: Your Word Is Your Bond
Subtitle: On over-promising, the discipline of "God willing," and why keeping your word is a spiritual practice.
Good morning!
Do you keep your promises? The big ones. And the small ones. The "I'll call you back." The "I'll be there at 7." The "I'll send that over today."
Hit play. Or keep reading below.
Let Your Yes Be Yes
I'm going to be honest. This one is personal.
I used to over-promise constantly. Even as recently as last year. I'd commit to things I wasn't sure I could deliver. I'd say yes when I should have said maybe.
It's one of the worst qualities I've had. And I'm still evolving from it.
"Just say 'yes' and 'no.' When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong."
— Matthew 5:37 (MSG)
Yes means yes. No means no. Don't hedge. Don't over-promise to look good and under-deliver later.
Yesterday we talked about Bonhoeffer's "Cost of Discipleship." He has a whole section on saying "God willing" for anything outside your control. You can commit with all your earthly capacity to something. But if there's any question of whether you can actually do it, acknowledge that it's ultimately in God's hands.
This isn't weakness. It's wisdom.
Ambitious Christians want to say yes to everything. But society breaks down when people don't keep their word. Relationships break down. Trust breaks down.
So today, before you commit: Can you actually do this? If it's a yes, make it real. If it's uncertain, say "God willing."
That's not weak. That's honest. That's biblical.
Your Affirmations For Today:
- I keep my word.
- My yes means yes.
- I only commit to what I can deliver.
- I honor God with my integrity.
- This will be the best day of my life.
God is with you today.
Love,
Gary
YouTube
Title: WHY KEEPING YOUR WORD IS A SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE | The Daily Spirit
Thumbnail Text: YOUR WORD IS YOUR BOND
Description: Do you keep your promises? The big ones. And the small ones. Today we talk about integrity as a spiritual practice.
Daily motivation for ambitious Christians. Scripture, encouragement, and affirmations to start your day.
📖 Today's Scripture: "Just say 'yes' and 'no.' When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong." — Matthew 5:37 (MSG)
✊ Today's Affirmations: • I keep my word. • My yes means yes. • I only commit to what I can deliver. • I honor God with my integrity. • This will be the best day of my life.
🔔 Subscribe for daily encouragement: https://thedailyspirit.substack.com
#ChristianMotivation #DailyDevotional #Faith #Integrity #KeepYourWord
Podcast Show Notes
Do you keep your promises? The big ones. And the small ones. Today we talk about why keeping your word is a spiritual discipline.
Today's Scripture: Matthew 5:37 (MSG)
Key Takeaway: Let your yes be yes and your no be no. Don't over-promise to look good and under-deliver later.
Affirmations:
- I keep my word.
- My yes means yes.
- I only commit to what I can deliver.
- I honor God with my integrity.
- This will be the best day of my life.
Subscribe: thedailyspirit.substack.com