Promise: Venerated Vow or Silly Sentiment?

Promises are deeply woven into the fabric of our culture. Whether we acknowledge them or not, they shape our daily lives. From children on the playground making pinky promises to couples vowing lifelong devotion through sickness and health, and even to the right to free speech—our society is built on promises. 

Despite their significance, the meaning of a promise has eroded over time, often reduced to a fleeting sentiment rather than a lasting commitment. This shift in perception breeds trust issues; therefore making it crucial to restore the true significance of promises to prevent issues with others.

Real Definition of Promise

In the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a promise is defined as "a declaration that one will do or refrain from doing something specified.” However, to fully understand its significance, we must look beyond a dictionary definition. As Christians, it is essential to look at how God defines a promise. 

God’s Definition of Promise

In Genesis 9:11-13, God makes a covenant, declaring that He will never again flood the earth. This promise is an unbreakable vow, upheld even when humanity falls into sin and disobedience. God in this instance expresses that promises are not based on fleeting emotions but on a deliberate choice to remain true to our word, regardless of circumstances.

Pastor Joe LaGuardia reinforces this idea by stating, “Keeping promises is an extension of truth-telling”. When viewing promises with truth embedded in them, it is easy to see the serious consequences of breaking them. 

Proverbs 12:22 further emphasizes this, stating that God detests lying but delights in those who are truthful. This perspective challenges us to reflect on the promises we make. 

Casual Statements Diminishes the True Meaning of Promises

Consider a statement like, "I promise I’ll meet with you every Monday." Is it really truthful to say this? It may seem minor, but that’s precisely the point—at what point do promises truly require honesty?

Compare a casual statement like, "I promise I’ll come to your party," with a solemn vow such as, "I promise to remain faithful in marriage." The latter carries a greater weight, yet using the word promise lightly for smaller commitments diminishes the true meaning. 

Understanding the true weight of a promise helps create intentionality with our words, ensuring that we honor our promises.

The Effect of Broken Trust in Relationships

Even these smaller promises can cause trust issues with another person. In fact, Pub Med Central (PMC) a library of data, did a study on the “Effect of Relationship Experience on Trust Recovery following a Breach,” which explains the detriment and fragility of relationships when built on broken trust. It shows that even though trust can be rebuilt there is a neurological effect when trust is broken. 

The Effect of Broken Trust in a Work Environment

In a study done by Carissa H. Marto on the “Perceptions of Broken Promises in the Workplace,” she found that “Participants were more likely to have lower job satisfaction ratings and higher turnover intention ratings for psychological contract breaches.” 

This highlights how broken promises can affect our relationships in the workplace. Both these studies show that trust is an important factor in our lives. These findings emphasize that broken promises affect not only emotions but also professional and personal stability. 

Broken promises can cause deep emotional pain and trust issues, yet the phrase “I promise” continues to be used carelessly, leading to repeated disappointment. 

Promises are still Important

When upheld, promises serve as a foundation for strong relationships, fostering trust, unity, and a sense of belonging. To address this issue, people must fully understand the weight of a promise. 

The Goal

If they understand what a promise truly means then individuals will make mindful, intentional commitments, and the impact is more likely to be positive, strengthening both personal and community bonds.

About the Author

Kate Geer is pursuing an Associate of Arts Degree at Summit Christian College. She enjoys spending time helping others and going on mission trips. She plans on using this degree to help others pursue God genuinely. She enjoys ice skating and playing with her cat, Meow-Meow.