Your Broken ‘Yes’

Say It Like You Mean It


A man who makes promises without thinking is a man who trains his family not to trust his word.


You said you would. Did you?
You promised. Did you keep it?

This isn’t about being a good guy or meaning well. This is about your word. Your bond. Your leadership. As a man, a husband, and a father, your words build the walls of your house. They either carry weight or they break trust. One small crack can lead to a foundation collapse.



God’s Word for Today

Matthew 5:37 (NIV), “All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”


I didn’t make promises lightly as a dad. And when I did, I made sure nothing stood between me and the ability to keep it. Not time, not money, not mood, not convenience. If something could get in the way, I didn’t promise. I might say, “We’ll see,” or “Let me think on that.” But I never threw out empty words. Because my kids were listening.

They still are.

My word was and still is my bond. It had to mean something. If I told my kids I’d show up, I showed up. If I told my wife we’d do something together, I followed through. Not because I’m perfect, but because I carry the name of Jesus. And Jesus doesn’t lie. He doesn’t flinch. He doesn’t overpromise.

And brother, neither should we.

We live in a world full of words and short on truth. Social media is flooded with noise. Guys post big quotes, big plans, big dreams—but won’t keep a small promise to their own family. That ain’t leadership. That’s lip service. Real leadership starts with integrity. Quiet, steady, unshakable. Men who lead their homes by being who they say they are. Not perfect men, but honest ones.

There were times I failed. Times I said something and later had to admit I was wrong. Or that I couldn’t come through. But I didn’t hide from it. I owned it. I said the words that most men avoid: “I was wrong.” “I messed up.” “I didn’t follow through.” My kids needed to see that more than some fake version of me that always had it together. My wife needed to know that I was accountable—not to her, but to God.

Jesus said, let your “yes” be “yes,” and your “no” be “no.” In other words, mean what you say. Just like we have to keep our promises to our children and our wives, we have to keep our promise to God—our yes to Him. Because when you gave your life to Jesus, you didn’t just say a prayer. You said yes to a new life. You said yes to obedience. You said yes to laying down your rights, your plans, and your pride. That yes is not a one-time moment—it’s a daily decision. And nothing more. No fluff. No extra promises to sound better or look stronger.. Say what you mean. Nothing more.

Why? Because anything more than that, Jesus says, is from the evil one.

Let that hit you. It’s not just a character flaw. It’s a spiritual battle. Satan loves weak words from passive men. He loves it when you say something and don’t mean it. Because every time you break your word, you teach your wife she can’t depend on you. You teach your kids that your leadership can’t be trusted.

Manhood isn’t proven in loud declarations. It’s proven in quiet consistency. Doing what you said you’d do, especially when it’s hard.

Your yes should be solid. Your no should be respected. That’s what Jesus calls us to. That’s how we reflect Him in our homes.

But let’s take it deeper. Oswald Chambers reminds us that God isn’t after our polished performance—He’s after full surrender. God isn’t working for your temporary perfection. He’s after your ultimate perfection. That means He will put His finger right on the places we still hold back. The places where our yes doesn’t really mean yes. Where we say we follow Jesus but still live on our terms.

We say we want the Holy Spirit. We say we want peace. But Chambers hits it square: most men don’t want Jesus. They want results. They want God to bless their version of manhood. But God is not fooled by loud prayers or big promises. He’s calling us to die to ourselves. He’s shaping men who stop seeking great things for themselves and start living in full agreement with His will.

That means cutting the noise. That means stopping the search for personal glory or the next big breakthrough. That means keeping our promises at home, where no one applauds but where everything eternal begins. Because when we stop seeking the blessing and start seeking Him—when we stop trying to look like leaders and actually live like shepherds—that’s where His Spirit meets us.

You don’t need a stage to be a leader. Just a chair at your kitchen table. Just a voice at bedtime. Just a presence at the hardest moments. Keep your word there, and your family will follow.

There’s too much at stake to be careless with your voice. Your word as a father and husband is an extension of your sword. Either you wield it with discipline, or you swing it wildly and cause wounds you never intended. One leads to honor. The other leads to regret.

So slow down before you say yes. Don’t say it to make peace. Don’t say it to avoid discomfort. Say it if you mean it. Say it because you’re ready to live it.

If not, say no.

There is honor in a clear no.

There is strength in honest silence.

There is power in the man who lives like Jesus, and a man of the shepherd—faithful, truthful, and unwavering. This world needs more men like that. And your family? They need you to be that man.


Today’s “Shepherding in Action” Value is… Integrity
Integrity strengthens your role as a shepherd leader by anchoring your family in trust, stability, and truth.


Reflect / Apply / Share

Reflect – When was the last time your words didn’t match your actions? What did that reveal about your leadership?

Apply – What’s one promise or commitment you need to either fulfill or honestly revisit this week?

Share – Who needs to hear you say “I meant what I said, and I’m here to live it out”?


Bible References (NIV)

Matthew 5:37 — “All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”


Personal Prayer

Lord, help me to be a man who means what he says. Keep my words few, my heart steady, and my actions strong.


These weekday reflections flow from my time in God’s Word. I invite you to join me and other Men of the Shepherd in building Christ-centered homes—leading, discipling, and serving like Jesus.If these reflections encourage you, please like, share, and pass them on so more men can grow in their calling.To follow along with the weekday readings, check out our Weekday Reflections Playlist on YouTube or subscribe to the YouTube channel here.

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