08/29/26

With all the negotiations going on in Iran, even during strikes, there seems to be a motive behind one party intentionally failing to keep their word or agreement. It’s like they know they can’t get all they want at one time, so they decide to get it piece by piece by putting the pressure on the other party. Reducing it one segment at a time proves more effective.

Psychologists identify this behavior as a calculated manipulation tactic, most commonly referred to as future faking. Experts note that individuals who do this dangle false promises to pacify others or gain temporary compliance. The goal is to hook the other person emotionally while avoiding genuine commitment or accountability. In so doing, the future fakers target the other person’s deepest values or current fears by promoting themselves as a victim. By promising exactly what the other person wants, they control the current situation. 

In such cases, promises create a cycle of hope and fear. The hope of a better future keeps the superior side waiting, while the fear of losing the promise keeps the future fakers compliant.  In fact, the promiser uses the agreement to extract trust or effort in the present, but re-establishes power by breaking it later, leaving the side confused and off-balance. It has been proven that people naturally want to believe in positive outcomes. As the dominant party invests their time, energy, or money in the promised scenario, it becomes increasingly difficult for them to leave. That’s because abandoning it would mean acknowledging that their previous efforts were wasted. That’s why the future faker might occasionally fulfill a tiny portion of the promise; it validates the aggressor’s hope and encourages them to continue tolerating poor treatment. Understanding this tactic underscores the importance of evaluating people by their consistent actions rather than their words or intentions. 

On the other hand, the Bible strictly condemns making promises with the intent to deceive, manipulate, or gain leverage. Using deceptive tactics to gain an advantage in an agreement is viewed as a form of dishonesty and oppression.  Using a false promise as leverage involves lying and deceit, which are explicitly condemned. Proverbs 12:22 states, “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.” That means breaking an agreement to overpower someone violates principles of fairness. Leviticus 19:13 warns, “Do not defraud or rob your neighbor.” Jesus commands in Matthew 5:37, “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’”. This emphasizes that a person’s word should be completely dependable, and manipulating agreements shows a lack of integrity. 

The Bible also notes the consequences of Broken Oaths: Ecclesiastes 5:5 says, “It is better not to make a promise than to make one and not keep it.” Believers should keep promises made to God because vows are sacred obligations that require full follow-through. The Scriptures explicitly caution that it is better not to make a vow than to make one and fail to fulfill it. Honoring your word maintains your integrity, avoids bringing spiritual consequences upon yourself, and honors God’s faithful nature.  Furthermore, the Bible emphasizes that making a vow to God is a serious spiritual duty, and failing to uphold it is considered a sin. Keep in mind, a believer’s word reflects their inner character. Fulfilling commitments strengthens personal integrity and represents one’s faith well to others. That’s why believers are called to imitate God’s faithfulness. Because God is completely dependable in His promises, His followers are expected to do the same in their words and actions.