“FLIPPANT VOWS”

“Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, ‘My vow was a mistake.’ Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands?”

Ecclesiastes 5:6

Changing our minds happen every day—when we’re choosing between two brands of bread or either speeding up or slowing down when the traffic light turns yellow. We all can be indecisive at some point, but if there’s one thing we can’t afford to do is to change our mind in terms of our vows to God.

God never coerces anyone to make a vow. Instead, making one is an opportunity that allows us to express our devotion to God. Unless we are convinced that we are led by the Lord to make such a promise, it’s better not to make one. Choosing our words carefully is essential to healthy Christian life. Besides, the last thing we’d want is to lose sleep over an unfulfilled vow.

In today’s verse, King Solomon, the richest man of his time, is reminding us that failure to keep vows is a serious offense against God. Thus it shouldnʼt be taken lightly. Instead, making a promise to the Almighty God should be faced wholeheartedly.

While Solomon said, “Do not let your mouth lead you into sin,” the problem starts with the heart, not the lips. The reason we change our minds concerning vows made to God is that our hearts are not in the right place, and we don’t honor the Lord as we should. Here’s what the Lord Jesus has to say:

“45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”

Luke 6:45 

A person is either ruled by his flesh or by the Spirit. When the flesh rules, he does things that are offensive to God, including breaking vows. While we’re accustomed to taking our word back, today’s verse tells us that God can put a curse into our work when we arouse His anger by failing to fulfill our promises.

How many times have you made a deal with God and said something like: 

• “Lord, if you just save me from this mess, then I’ll quit messing around and treat you seriously.” 
• “Lord, if only you just heal me from this sickness, then I’ll serve you.” 
• “Lord, if you give me this job, I will support the church regularly.”

Sometimes, we make vows to God when we’re stuck in a difficult situation. Do we make such promises, thinking they are an easy way out? God is far too wise to fall for our half-hearted promises; we cannot outsmart Him.

You don't make God happy just because you vowed to do great things for Him later. He wonʼt love you more if you made a promise; He wonʼt love you less if you didn’t. His love is not dependent on your performance. He loves you—period.

Pursue the Saviour today!