What the Bible Says About Keeping Your Word

Matthew 5:37 ESV / 977 helpful votes

Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil.

Matthew 5:33-37 ESV / 842 helpful votes

"Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.' But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil.

Numbers 30:1-2 ESV / 813 helpful votes

Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes of the people of Israel, saying, "This is what the Lord has commanded. If a man vows a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.

Ecclesiastes 5:4-7 ESV / 753 helpful votes

When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear.

1 John 2:5 ESV / 736 helpful votes

But whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him:

Matthew 5:33 ESV / 684 helpful votes

"Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.'

Numbers 30:2 ESV / 642 helpful votes

If a man vows a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.

John 1:1 ESV / 622 helpful votes

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Psalm 119:9 ESV / 616 helpful votes

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.

Psalm 119:11 ESV / 565 helpful votes

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

James 5:12 ESV / 564 helpful votes

But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your "yes" be yes and your "no" be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

Proverbs 20:25 ESV / 548 helpful votes

It is a snare to say rashly, "It is holy," and to reflect only after making vows.

Deuteronomy 23:23 ESV / 534 helpful votes

You shall be careful to do what has passed your lips, for you have voluntarily vowed to the Lord your God what you have promised with your mouth.

Hebrews 4:12 ESV / 528 helpful votes

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Psalm 119:105 ESV / 517 helpful votes

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Matthew 4:4 ESV / 494 helpful votes

But he answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

Leviticus 5:4-5 ESV / 483 helpful votes

Or if anyone utters with his lips a rash oath to do evil or to do good, any sort of rash oath that people swear, and it is hidden from him, when he comes to know it, and he realizes his guilt in any of these; when he realizes his guilt in any of these and confesses the sin he has committed,

2 Peter 3:9 ESV / 481 helpful votes

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

1 John 1:9 ESV / 479 helpful votes

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Ecclesiastes 5:2 ESV / 477 helpful votes

Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.

Numbers 23:19 ESV / 472 helpful votes

God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?

Psalm 89:34 ESV / 434 helpful votes

I will not violate my covenant or alter the word that went forth from my lips.

Luke 1:37 ESV / 426 helpful votes

For nothing will be impossible with God."

Revelation 1:1-20 ESV / 423 helpful votes

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood ...

Proverbs 11:3 ESV / 416 helpful votes

The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.

Philippians 4:13 ESV / 405 helpful votes

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Romans 8:28 ESV / 400 helpful votes

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Psalm 23:1-6 ESV / 391 helpful votes

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ...

Isaiah 26:3 ESV / 385 helpful votes

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

John 7:38 ESV / 378 helpful votes

Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'"

John 3:16 ESV / 376 helpful votes

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Acts 5:1-10 ESV / 371 helpful votes

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. ...

Matthew 5:33-36 ESV / 364 helpful votes

Psalm 15:1-4 ESV / 363 helpful votes

A Psalm of David. O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart; who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend; in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the Lord; who swears to his own hurt and does not change;

Numbers 32:24 ESV / 354 helpful votes

Build cities for your little ones and folds for your sheep, and do what you have promised."

Proverbs 6:1-3 ESV / 351 helpful votes

My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, have given your pledge for a stranger, if you are snared in the words of your mouth, caught in the words of your mouth, then do this, my son, and save yourself, for you have come into the hand of your neighbor: go, hasten, and plead urgently with your neighbor.

1 Peter 4:19 ESV / 336 helpful votes

Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

Proverbs 10:19 ESV / 328 helpful votes

When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

Hebrews 13:5 ESV / 322 helpful votes

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Leviticus 19:12 ESV / 321 helpful votes

You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord.

Deuteronomy 5:11 ESV / 318 helpful votes

"'You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

Hebrews 1:3 ESV / 309 helpful votes

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

Deuteronomy 23:21-23 ESV / 302 helpful votes

"If you make a vow to the Lord your God, you shall not delay fulfilling it, for the Lord your God will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin. But if you refrain from vowing, you will not be guilty of sin. You shall be careful to do what has passed your lips, for you have voluntarily vowed to the Lord your God what you have promised with your mouth.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV / 297 helpful votes

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

Proverbs 3:5 ESV / 297 helpful votes

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

Psalm 56:11-13 ESV / 295 helpful votes

In God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? I must perform my vows to you, O God; I will render thank offerings to you. For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.

Isaiah 41:10 ESV / 289 helpful votes

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

James 1:22 ESV / 288 helpful votes

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Proverbs 25:14 ESV / 288 helpful votes

Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.

1 John 2:3-5 ESV / 287 helpful votes

And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says "I know him" but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him:

Philippians 1:6 ESV / 285 helpful votes

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Psalm 46:10 ESV / 282 helpful votes

"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"

Psalm 28:7 ESV / 282 helpful votes

The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 280 helpful votes

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

James 4:14 ESV / 278 helpful votes

Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV / 278 helpful votes

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Psalm 15:1 ESV / 277 helpful votes

A Psalm of David. O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill?

Colossians 3:16 ESV / 275 helpful votes

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

James 1:21 ESV / 270 helpful votes

Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

John 14:27 ESV / 269 helpful votes

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Matthew 24:35 ESV / 269 helpful votes

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

John 1:14 ESV / 258 helpful votes

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Psalm 34:17 ESV / 253 helpful votes

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 249 helpful votes

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

Romans 12:2 ESV / 246 helpful votes

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Philippians 4:19 ESV / 240 helpful votes

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 40:31 ESV / 237 helpful votes

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Hebrews 11:1 ESV / 236 helpful votes

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Deuteronomy 8:3 ESV / 236 helpful votes

And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

Romans 10:8 ESV / 231 helpful votes

But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim);

Psalm 15:4 ESV / 229 helpful votes

In whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the Lord; who swears to his own hurt and does not change;

Romans 10:9 ESV / 221 helpful votes

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Acts 2:38 ESV / 216 helpful votes

And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 46:1 ESV / 216 helpful votes

To the choirmaster. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A Song. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psalm 84:11 ESV / 214 helpful votes

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.

Psalm 37:4 ESV / 214 helpful votes

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Romans 10:10 ESV / 213 helpful votes

For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Zechariah 4:6 ESV / 208 helpful votes

Then he said to me, "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.

Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV / 207 helpful votes

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you."

Luke 2:8 ESV / 204 helpful votes

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV / 202 helpful votes

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Ecclesiastes 5:5 ESV / 202 helpful votes

It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.

Matthew 12:36 ESV / 196 helpful votes

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,

Joshua 1:9 ESV / 193 helpful votes

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Deuteronomy 7:9 ESV / 193 helpful votes

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,

Psalm 23:4 ESV / 190 helpful votes

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Romans 12:12 ESV / 185 helpful votes

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

1 Corinthians 16:13 ESV / 181 helpful votes

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

Luke 11:28 ESV / 179 helpful votes

But he said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!"

Hebrews 11:6 ESV / 178 helpful votes

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Psalm 34:18 ESV / 178 helpful votes

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 177 helpful votes

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

John 16:33 ESV / 170 helpful votes

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."

1 John 5:4 ESV / 169 helpful votes

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

Matthew 11:28-30 ESV / 166 helpful votes

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Proverbs 30:5 ESV / 165 helpful votes

Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Hebrews 12:2 ESV / 156 helpful votes

Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Acts 2:21 ESV / 138 helpful votes

And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.'

1 Thessalonians 2:13 ESV / 135 helpful votes

And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.

Luke 1:73 ESV / 127 helpful votes

The oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us

Enter a Verse Reference (e.g., John 3:16-17)

Visit the Bible online to search for words if you don't know the specific passage your're looking for.

What the Bible Says About Keeping Your Word

Source: https://www.openbible.info/topics/keeping_your_word