October 29, 2026 | Resources
God has given you the ability to create with your words, because you are made in His image.
Your words can shape your future when you pray and speak in faith.
But the promises you speak to people every day also shape your future.
When you break a spoken commitment, or speak doubt over what you're believing God for, your own words can short-circuit this creative power.
I want to share three keys to speaking with integrity and faith – so you can use your words to create a better future in Jesus' name.
At the end, I've included a two-page Faith & Integrity Checklist you can print and use when making or keeping a commitment.
Let's begin with the first key.
Key #1: Check First Before Saying "Yes"
Early in my ministry, people would sometimes invite me to preach after hearing me minister.
They’d ask, "Can you come do a meeting for us?"
I’d reply, "Well, sure. We can work that out."
Then I'd realize I already had another meeting on the calendar!
It's easy to do when you're happy, enjoying a conversation, and someone asks you for something.
If you say, "Sure!"... they take your word seriously.
Now they're counting on you, making it difficult to back out.
Jesus said in Matthew 5:37, "Let your yes be yes, and your no, no."
So slow down before you commit.
It's perfectly fine to say, “Let me check into that, and I'll get back to you.”
That way, when you give someone your word, you can do so with confidence, knowing you’re able to follow through.
But what happens when you’ve already made a commitment, and circumstances suddenly change?
What if keeping your word becomes inconvenient, difficult, or even costly?
That brings us to our second key.
Key #2: Keep Your Word – Even When It Costs You
Suppose you agree to sell something for a certain price.
Then the market changes favorably and it’s now worth 30% more.
You could make much more money if you backed out of the agreement.
But you've already given your word.
Psalm 15:4 describes a righteous person who "swears to his own hurt and does not change."
That means keeping your promise.
Even when you have to walk away from extra profit.
And the Lord will test you in this area.
When your word is good, your name becomes good.
When people know you do what is promised, they can trust you.
But this is bigger than your reputation.
When your words carry integrity, you position yourself to become a co-creator with Jesus, speaking His promises into manifestation in your life.
But here’s what you need to understand: It’s not enough to keep your word to others if you’re constantly contradicting God’s promises with the words you speak over your own life.
And that brings us to a powerful third key.
Key #3: Stop Speaking Against What You're Believing For
The ten spies returned from the Promised Land with what Scripture calls an “evil report.”
What made it evil?
They told the Israelites the land would devour its inhabitants.
Their words were filled with doubt and unbelief, directly contradicting what God had promised.
That report damaged the people's faith.
Now consider your own conversations.
What are you saying throughout the day?
Perhaps you're speaking doubt over the very things you're believing God for: your career, your family, or your finances.
Or maybe you're saying things you don't really mean.
Let your words agree with what God has promised.
Don't let careless speech and unbelief short-circuit what you're believing God for.
Your Future Begins With the Word You Keep
You may still be waiting for things to change in your life.
But you don't have to wait to make your word good.
Perhaps you're believing God for:
A promotion at work.
Provision for your children's education.
Wisdom for a new business or investment.
Or a dependable vehicle that won’t break down.
Whatever it is, you can make one decision today:
Before you say yes, make sure you can follow through. And once you've given your word, keep it… even when it costs you.
Let this decision guide your everyday conversations.
Then speak toward your future in Jesus' name, and get ready for what God can do!
Faith & Integrity Checklist [Printable Resource Below]
It's one thing to see these three keys. It's another to know what to do with them in your exact situation.
So I've prepared a two-page Faith & Integrity Checklist to help make commitments you can keep, and honor your word when circumstances change.
Use it to:
• Check your calendar, existing commitments, and the real cost before saying yes.
• Decide whether to say yes, not yet, or no — and know exactly what to say.
• Work through a promise that's become harder to keep, and decide what to do next.
[Click here to download the Faith & Integrity Checklist]
The PDF will open in preview mode. Click the download icon to save or print it.
Now pray this with me, out loud:
“Father, thank You for creating me in Your image and giving me the ability to speak words of faith.
Help me to be careful with my words and not make promises too quickly.
When I give my word, give me the strength to keep it, even when it costs me.
Let my yes be yes, and my no be no.
Make me a person whose word can be trusted.
Help me recognize when I'm speaking doubt or unbelief over the things I'm believing You for.
Let my everyday conversations agree with Your Word.
I choose to speak words of faith over my family, my work, my finances, and my future.
Thank You for the good things You have prepared for me.
I look toward my future with faith and expectancy, knowing that You are with me.
In Jesus' name, amen.”
Click to watch the full message: "Royal Keys to Integrity"