Be Careful What You Promise God—He Holds You to It

Why You Should Never Swear or Make Promises to God Lightly

Many people, in moments of desperation, make promises to God: “Lord, if You help me, I’ll never sin again!” or “God, if You bless me, I’ll serve You forever!” But how often do people break these vows? The Bible warns us that making a promise to God and not keeping it is a serious offense.

 

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What Does the Bible Say About Making Vows to God?

Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 (KJV) – “When thou vows a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.”

God sees broken promises as foolishness. It is better not to promise at all than to fail to keep your word.

Matthew 5:33-37 (KJV) – Jesus said, “Swear not at all… But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.”

Jesus warned against swearing oaths because humans are weak and may not be able to fulfill them.

Numbers 30:2 (KJV) – “If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceeded out of his mouth.”

God takes every vow seriously and expects it to be fulfilled.

The Consequences of Breaking a Promise to God

Judges 11:30-40 KJV – Jephthah’s Rash Vow
Jephthah, a judge of Israel, made a hasty vow to sacrifice whatever came out of his house if God granted him victory. Tragically, his daughter was the first to greet him. His story is a painful reminder to never make reckless promises to God. 

Editor’s Note: It was against the law to offer human burnt sacrifices. God does not require (even in old testament) human burnt sacrifices. He forbids persons to make their children walk through the fire. Today, Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God is the only one time sacrifice needed.  Deuteronomy 18:10 KJV  “There shall not be found among you any one that make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that use divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,”

Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11 KJV)
They promised to give all their earnings to God but secretly withheld some. God struck them dead for their deceit. Breaking a promise to God is no small matter.

Why Does God Take Promises So Seriously?

It Reflects Integrity – God desires honesty in our words and actions (Psalm 15:4 KJV).

It Shows Our Respect for Him – Making empty promises mocks God’s holiness (Galatians 6:7 KJV).

It Affects Our Relationship with Him – Broken vows show a lack of faith and commitment (James 4:17 KJV).

What Should You Do Instead?

Speak Truthfully – Let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no (Matthew 5:37 KJV).

Trust in God’s Will – Instead of making rash promises, say, “If the Lord wills” (James 4:15 KJV).

Repent if You’ve Made a Broken Vow – Ask for forgiveness and realign your heart with God.

Reflection Question:

Have you ever made a promise to God that you did not keep? What can you do today to correct it?

 

Keywords: God’s promises, making vows to God, breaking promises to God, swearing oaths in the Bible, Bible verses about promises, why you shouldn’t swear, integrity in faith, consequences of broken vows, Jephthah’s rash vow, Ananias and Sapphira’s mistake.

 

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CALL TO SALVATION:

John 3:16  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Romans 10:9-10  9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation. 

John 3:5-6  5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is the Spirit.  

Call to salvation:

John 3:16  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Romans 10:9-10  9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation. 

John 3:5-6  5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is the Spirit.