Palabra de Honor " (Word of Honor). As a child, we were taught that our word is our bond. We were trained to keep our promises lest we’ll always be quoted “You said-” or “You promised-". Once we make a pledge, though verbal, it is already binding and considered a commitment to be fulfilled no matter what it takes. Conversations and unwritten contracts are translated to demonstrations and actual realizations of said agreements. Those childhood trainings made us men and women of integrity and honor.
Today, let us create a hash tag for “words matter” (#WordsMatter). Every time we give our word, we put our name and honor on the line. It implies that people can trust us. It provides a strong message that we are sincere, credible and dependable. When we speak to others, it denotes that we value them as a person. We also value the relationship we have with such individuals knowing that in the integrity of our hearts we have not aggrieved them. It promotes favorable norms that our intentions are pure and honorable. We express a message that we advocate highest reputable principles and not double standards nor double-mindedness.
During these times of uncertainty brought about by thepandemic, what people rely on are words of tangible hope and words of assurance ready to be acted upon. As every government scramble for solutions, people look up to them for consistent and trustworthy statements. We heard so many words and opinions of people change over time. Even our officials have a lot of conflicting statements and under-delivered promises to the dismay of the constituents.
Keeping our word is sometimes arduous, expensive and inconvenient. That’s why the Holy Scriptures teaches us that God honors those who swear to their own hurt and does not alter. We are taught that the importance of integrity and word of honor has not changed. Again, it was declared that “When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; for He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed;” because when we fail to fulfill it, it is costly. A wise king once said, “Dead flies putrefy the perfumer’s ointment, and cause it to give off foul odor; so does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor.”
Honor our word and stand up for something; otherwise, we will be run over by everything. God is concerned with the quality, quantity and integrity of our word. “Let our yes be yes, and our no, be no; for whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” Let this be our guiding principle to live the Word and keep our word as well. (CRFV)
