As recently as last week, Jerry Jones was quoted as saying that Wade Phillips would finish the season as the Head Coach of the Dallas Cowboys. Yesterday, Phillips was fired by that same Jones.

This serves as yet another example of how difficult it is for someone to actually say something and stand by it, no matter how difficult it may be. Or to carefully consider what to say in the first place. Now, after the Cowboys poor start and horrible performance the other night against the Packers, I can understand why Phillips was fired. However, I think we should all be frustrated at the actions of a man who says one thing and then goes on to do another. Clearly, Jones has shown that he is a man who, like too many of us, thinks it is no big deal to say something and do the opposite one week later. His yes is not really ‘yes’ and his ‘no’ not really no.

Lest we go on pointing the finger and Jones and feeling all good about ourselves, however, we are wise to recognize that we too often are guilty of the very same thing. We are careless in what we say. We make commitments we don’t intend to keep. Or that we intend to keep, but aren’t very diligent in carrying out. If we are Christians, we might even say, “I will pray for you” in a careless fashion and never follow through. Or we are incessantly late. Or generally unreliable.

This should bother us more than it currently does. Jones’ carelessness should make us face up and hate our own. Not only that, but from my perspective as a Christian, a story such as this should make us long for the day when everyone will say what they mean and stick to it. And lead us to more diligently seek to live that way now.

So how should Jones have handled this situation? As far as I see it, here were some central options. We can learn from at least 3 of them.

1) He could have been more careful in what he said in the first place. Something like the following may have sufficed. “I really don’t like to make a coaching change in the middle of the season, and I certainly don’t want to do so now, but if things get worse and it seems to be in the best interest of the club, it is a move I won’t be afraid to make.”

I see absolutely nothing wrong with saying something like that. It is fair and understandable to everyone involved. We should take notes for our own personal situations.

2) After coming out with his statement that Wade Phillips would finish the season, he could have stuck by it at all costs and set an example of being a man of his word. He could even have said this week, “You know what, I wish I hadn’t said what I said last week about Wade Phillips remaining head coach for the rest of the season, because I want to fire him after our poor performance against the Packers, but I do not want to go back on my word, so no matter how bad it gets, he will remain our head coach for the rest of the season. I realize that many people may be frustrated with me for this decision, and I understand, but I am willing to accept the consequences and feel that no matter how bad they are, they are better than me going back on what I said.”

I am not holding my breath for that one, but again, we should take notes.

3) After his statement of last week, he could have made the decision to fire Phillips, while offering an apology for being careless with his words last week. “I have decided that I was foolish and careless with my words last week and that it is in the best interest of the club to fire Phillips today. I realize now that I was trying to manipulate the situation in hopes that the team would rally around Phillips. I wasn’t honest and I publicly ask for forgiveness from Phillips and everyone else for essentially lying.”

What a breath of fresh air that would be huh? Can’t see it happening, but why can’t we do something like that?

4) He could have fired himself as General Manager of the club, a move, it seems, that would be quite popular with Cowboy fans. “Even though this is kind of weird, as the Owner of the Cowboys, I have decided to fire myself as the General Manager. After all, I hired Phillips and had a huge say in each player that is on this team. I accept the fact that the position of General Manager may be beyond my ability and humbly terminate myself! The fact that I was careless with my words last week was the last straw, so effectively immediately, So-and-So is taking over for me at the General Manager position.”

I am not sure how we can apply that personally, but it would be a fun story. At the very least, such humility would be well-received by many. At least I hope.

All in all, this story should remind us that what we say and how well we stick by what we say is more important that we often realize. Jesus said, “Let your Yes, be Yes and your No, no. Can you imagine a world in which everyone did just that? I can’t wait and pray now that I would better preview that coming day by saying what I mean and sticking to it. Or humbly repenting of my failure to do so. Or, if necessary, humbly repenting and firing myself.