Teaching about Vows
33 “You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the LORD.’ 34 But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne. 35 And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is His footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. 36 Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black. 37Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.
We have all made promises we couldn't keep. It's not a good habit. Kids are the most hurt by our broken promises, not only do they no longer trust you, they learn to not trust anyone. As adults when someone breaks a promise to us, we shrug it off and don't take that person at their word again.
Jesus tells us to not even make a vow or promise, in actuality, we don't own or control anything we could possibly swear by. I've tried to live by that teaching for years now. And when people make a promise to me, I accept it with a grain of salt.
The word's vow or promise also reminds me of the previous scripture on divorce. If we had a godly ceremony, we vowed (promised) in the sight of God, to be with that person "till death do us part". Yet, according to the polls I quoted yesterday, not everyone keeps that promise. I wonder how many people recite those vows with the hidden intention of leaving if it doesn't work out to their satisfaction.
So as verse 37 says "Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’" is best, anything more and we are treading in dangerous territory.
Blessings, Cecilia
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