Be Careful What You Promise

The Bible gives a few examples of some rash vows.

King Saul placed his people “under oath, saying, ‘Cursed is the man who eats any food until evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.’” It was a reckless thing to say. Before the day was over his soldiers grew so faint from not eating that they suddenly slew some animals and sinned by eating them before they were properly bled. Also, Jonathan, Saul’s son, was nearly executed for (without knowing of Saul’s rash law) eating some honey (1 Samuel 14:24-46).

In the period of the Judges, as some Israelites drew near to do battle with their enemies, their leader Jephthah “made a vow to the Lord, and said, ‘If you will indeed deliver the people of Ammon into my hands, then it will be that whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me… shall surely be the Lord’s, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.’” It was a careless thing to say. What (or who) should come out of Jephthah’s door after the victory but his only child, a daughter (Judges 11:30-40). The Bible says that “it came to pass, when he saw her, that he tore his clothes, and said, ‘Alas, my daughter! You have brought me very low! You are among those who trouble me!” Well, we can appreciate Jephthah’s instant depression, but he had it all wrong. His rash use of his own lips had been that which brought him low!

And couldn’t king Herod tell us a thing or two about the folly of hastily spoken deeds and words. He rashly had placed John the Baptist in prison for saying some condemnatory words about Herod’s marriage. Yet Herod’s disposition toward John changed, even to the point of protecting him from Herod’s wife. He even “heard” John “gladly” when the prophet spoke. But then came a day when Herod’s step-daughter danced before him and his officers at a birthday party, pleasing them. Carelessly Herod spoke up, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom” (Mark 6:17-28). His oath consequently cost John his life, as Herod’s wife told her daughter to ask for “the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

Be careful what you promise. Don’t get ‘caught up in the moment.‘ That’s the lesson we need to learn. Don’t allow an inordinate desire for some thing or event to spur you to promise things you don’t want to, or can’t, deliver upon.

Boy or girl friend, don’t promise “I do” if you aren’t committed to stay with that special one until death parts you.

Parents, think before telling your children you’ll do something. To the very best of your ability, fulfill your word spoken to them. Don’t promise your children what you can’t deliver, even in what you consider to be insignificant things. Don’t tell them you’ll do something when you really have no intention of even trying to do it. Some parents are too loose with their lips in speaking forth grandiose plans, and their children eventually come to see their parents for who they are, unworthy of trust. Worse yet, the children may follow suit and grow up to be the liars their parents are.

Christian, think before telling your fellow-disciple, the elders, or the local congregation you’ll do something. If the words “I volunteer” or “I will” come forth from your mouth, give all diligence to the fulfillment of them.

But consider one more matter. Listen to the Scripture: “Do not be rash with your mouth, and let nor your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few… When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it… Pay what you have vowed. It is better not to vow than to vow and not pay. Do not let your mouth… say… that it was an error. Why should God be angry at your excuse…?” (Ecclesiastes 5:2-6).

Have you made a vow to the Lord? If you are a Christian, you have. We hope you gave the matter a great deal of consideration before you made this commitment. You’ve become a citizen in the kingdom of Christ, an allegiance that involves the highest privileges, yes, but as well the gravest responsibilities. You’ve submitted your life to Christ! You cannot now go back on your word (not if you wish to be heaven bound) and not “pay what you have vowed.”

Let us be people who soberly consider our words before we speak them. Obviously, let’s not promise anyone anything the fulfillment of which would involve ungodliness. And, let’s not give our word to do that which we cannot fulfill, nor give our word and then ‘rethink’ our promise. Let’s be people of our word.

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