Is it a sin to break a commitment? To say youll do something then change your mind?

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Lilsheep88

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Not a promise, but a statement. I said that I would give a certain someone a (belated) christmas present, but now that I think of it, I dont really have to. No legal contracts involved. I was just carried over by emotions when I texted him on that Christmas eve without thniking strategically about my actions.

I doubt he really cares if I do or not if I do nor does he remember. Besides, I gave this person many favours several times and I am kind of saving my own money since money is short. In addition, I am not trying to be close with this person since I am trying to keep my distance from him due to the nature of my relationship with him. (please dont divert to the love your neigbour argument, this is an entirely different thing). I feel that its better to keep things the way they are now

If I didnt decide to give him a present, would this be considered wrong? I didnt break a promise, but that would mean I am a liar…

And If I did decide to give him something… Can I do it as an offering to Jesus instead?

Thoughts?
 
One of the things I’ve always taken to heart is that Jesus reminded us to let our “yes” be “yes” and our “no” be “no.” I try not to say anything I don’t intend to do. When I say I’m going to do it, I do it. (Even if it’s inconvenient to me.) If I say I won’t, I don’t. I try to live by that. Jesus reminded us with that simple statement, that every word we say is a reflection on who we are and what we believe.

Just a side note, in some areas of the world (Take the State of Virginia in the US) a verbal agreement is a legally binding contract.
 
Heres another question, so it wouldnt be wrong if I got him something cheap?? Something off the dollar store vs something retail. It still comes from the heart
 
Lilsheep88 said:
Heres another question, so it wouldnt be wrong if I got him something cheap?? Something off the dollar store vs something retail. It still comes from the heart
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You can get whatever you like - just be sure to take the pricetags off either way 😉
 
Lilsheep88 said:
Heres another question, so it wouldnt be wrong if I got him something cheap?? Something off the dollar store vs something retail. It still comes from the heart
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Price doesn’t matter. As long as it’s from the heart. My daughter gives me hand made cards for Christmas, they mean more to me than something that cost a lot of money. Just get something that you think represents the relationship you want to reflect. Something that is impersonal will give the impression that you are friends, but nothing more. Get something that says I bought you a Christmas present because we are friends, and want to remain friends. Even just a card saying Merry Christmas with a bookmark in it or something.
 
You did promise something. It would say something about you if you decided not to keep a promise later that you meant sincerely at the time, wouldn’t it? It would, essentially, turn you into a liar.

I suppose it might depend on the weight that the other party gave to the promise in the first place: if it was just a figure of speech that neither of you ever expected to be made good on…

In either case though, I think a token gift appropriate to the recipient would be a good idea. If it was never really expected by the other party then your reward (being their gratitude) is that much greater. If it IS expected, then you have the self-knowledge that you lived up to your promise.

For the future though, learn not to make rash promises!
 
One of the things in the OT that was frounded upon was the taking of oaths for trivial things. An oath is a covenant and to misuse them in the sense of simple things was deemed wrong or unjustifyable. To me, if I said I was going to do something and did not do it, it would bother me. I guess it is a situation where original sin raises it’s ugly head. However, your situation is simple. Give him a holy card or a letter saying you hope things are going well. Maybe the present can be a special type of text that is uplifting??? It satisfies the committment and will make you feel better about yourself.
mdcpensive1
 
I’d say a present implies more than a card with tidings but it does not imply a large economic value, let alone large monetary cost. You could spend some time looking for something nice that doesn’t cost much, or make something or use something you already own. 😉 The money for which you can buy a small present is probably not worth the moral dilemma anyway.
 
Yes but the moral dillema is that I would be opening up a relationship that I want closed. But in any case it wasnt an oath, or a promise, or a waiver that I signed… Just my word. In any case ill learn not to make rash promises next time.Ill take DexUk’s advice, many thanks
 
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