Can you revoke a vow and if so, are there consequences to that?

[tuliplane]

Years ago I made up my mind about something and more or less turned it into a promise that I wasn't going to pursue a certain thing. It was a bit of an irrational thought/decision because I imagined it going a certain way if I pursued what I wanted. Later on, I realized it was rash and that I made that decision by thinking/feeling a certain way and not fully considering everything.

Anyway...I'm back to wondering if it is a sin for me to change my mind. The Bible talks a lot about vows and how serious they are, that we should not delay in paying it. I also know that sin comes with consequences; so if it is true that I am able to change my mind and take back a vow, wouldn't there still be consequences to breaking it?

Also, this part I wonder about often in everyday life and not just this particular scenario. Many times I wonder about what sort of consequences will come about from breaking vows or sinning in other ways that maybe many would find insignificant, but I feel like everything might be relevant to God.

Thanks for reading this. Looking forward to ideas/advice.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

Years ago I made up my mind about something and more or less turned it into a promise that I wasn't going to pursue a certain thing. It was a bit of an irrational thought/decision because I imagined it going a certain way if I pursued what I wanted. Later on, I realized it was rash and that I made that decision by thinking/feeling a certain way and not fully considering everything.

Anyway...I'm back to wondering if it is a sin for me to change my mind. The Bible talks a lot about vows and how serious they are, that we should not delay in paying it. I also know that sin comes with consequences; so if it is true that I am able to change my mind and take back a vow, wouldn't there still be consequences to breaking it?

Also, this part I wonder about often in everyday life and not just this particular scenario. Many times I wonder about what sort of consequences will come about from breaking vows or sinning in other ways that maybe many would find insignificant, but I feel like everything might be relevant to God.

Thanks for reading this. Looking forward to ideas/advice.

A vow to who?

 

[Shadowkat]

If I may,
Numbers 30:2-14 As far as I know, the only ones who can break a vow is a father or a husband if he hears of it and disapproves. Matthew 5:33-37 seems to say that we oughtn’t make vows at all, but rather to just keep our word. Before I understood this I made a vow to the Lord. On occasion I have regretted it because I didn’t consider how it might effect my family. My wife didn’t like that I didn’t consult her before I made the promise, and now I’m stuck. If the promise is to a person, I would speak to them and see if they’ll release you.

 

[disciple Clint]

Years ago I made up my mind about something and more or less turned it into a promise that I wasn't going to pursue a certain thing. It was a bit of an irrational thought/decision because I imagined it going a certain way if I pursued what I wanted. Later on, I realized it was rash and that I made that decision by thinking/feeling a certain way and not fully considering everything.

Anyway...I'm back to wondering if it is a sin for me to change my mind. The Bible talks a lot about vows and how serious they are, that we should not delay in paying it. I also know that sin comes with consequences; so if it is true that I am able to change my mind and take back a vow, wouldn't there still be consequences to breaking it?

Also, this part I wonder about often in everyday life and not just this particular scenario. Many times I wonder about what sort of consequences will come about from breaking vows or sinning in other ways that maybe many would find insignificant, but I feel like everything might be relevant to God.

Thanks for reading this. Looking forward to ideas/advice.

Well good news in several respects. Legalism has been replaced by faith and grace. God knows what you did and why you did it, He knew for the very first moment if you would or would not change your mind in the future. Regarding consequences, more good news your sins have already been paid for, Jesus died so that your sins would not result in you not being given eternal life. So since you obviously believe in God, you have nothing to fear, do what you understand is right based on your understanding of Christianity now and do not be concerned about the past mistakes you may have made. God understands.

 

[timf]

Vows are mostly dealt with under Jewish law.

Even for Messianic believers (to whom James writes) vows are to be avoided;

Jas 5:12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

For those who have freedom from the law, a vow might be more seen as an intention;

Gal 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

 

[Skye1300]

Never make a vow to God, no matter how strongly you feel about it! You never know how you might feel in the future. I would be afraid to break a vow made to God. A vow made to another human, I would break it if keeping it put me into hardship in some way. I would just ask the person to release me from it. But with God.... I don't know. It just feels like you shouldn't break a vow made to God. That's why I never make any.

 

[tuliplane]

A vow to who?

More or less God I suppose, because as I was making it, I made it under my word to Him as well.

 

[tuliplane]

If I may,
Numbers 30:2-14 As far as I know, the only ones who can break a vow is a father or a husband if he hears of it and disapproves. Matthew 5:33-37 seems to say that we oughtn’t make vows at all, but rather to just keep our word. Before I understood this I made a vow to the Lord. On occasion I have regretted it because I didn’t consider how it might effect my family. My wife didn’t like that I didn’t consult her before I made the promise, and now I’m stuck. If the promise is to a person, I would speak to them and see if they’ll release you.

Do you think God gives room to release us from a vow? I am aware of what the Old Testament says about a father or husband releasing a woman from her vow. In the New Testament, since Jesus is now the spiritual husband, do you think He would free us of it the same as it was for the woman in the Old Testament?

 

[tuliplane]

Well good news in several respects. Legalism has been replaced by faith and grace. God knows what you did and why you did it, He knew for the very first moment if you would or would not change your mind in the future. Regarding consequences, more good news your sins have already been paid for, Jesus died so that your sins would not result in you not being given eternal life. So since you obviously believe in God, you have nothing to fear, do what you understand is right based on your understanding of Christianity now and do not be concerned about the past mistakes you may have made. God understands.

Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I struggle with the consequences thing because I do understand that Jesus paid for our sins and punishments no longer occur, however, I do know that consequences can be a natural result of sin that aren't necessarily coming from God, but they don't have to happen if we were on the right track.

 

[tuliplane]

Vows are mostly dealt with under Jewish law.

Even for Messianic believers (to whom James writes) vows are to be avoided;

Jas 5:12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

For those who have freedom from the law, a vow might be more seen as an intention;

Gal 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

Thank you!!

 

[tuliplane]

Never make a vow to God, no matter how strongly you feel about it! You never know how you might feel in the future. I would be afraid to break a vow made to God. A vow made to another human, I would break it if keeping it put me into hardship in some way. I would just ask the person to release me from it. But with God.... I don't know. It just feels like you shouldn't break a vow made to God. That's why I never make any.

I really don't want to...I just end up doing it. I need to work harder to stop this habit.

 

[FutureAndAHope]

Years ago I made up my mind about something and more or less turned it into a promise that I wasn't going to pursue a certain thing. It was a bit of an irrational thought/decision because I imagined it going a certain way if I pursued what I wanted. Later on, I realized it was rash and that I made that decision by thinking/feeling a certain way and not fully considering everything.

Anyway...I'm back to wondering if it is a sin for me to change my mind. The Bible talks a lot about vows and how serious they are, that we should not delay in paying it. I also know that sin comes with consequences; so if it is true that I am able to change my mind and take back a vow, wouldn't there still be consequences to breaking it?

Also, this part I wonder about often in everyday life and not just this particular scenario. Many times I wonder about what sort of consequences will come about from breaking vows or sinning in other ways that maybe many would find insignificant, but I feel like everything might be relevant to God.

Thanks for reading this. Looking forward to ideas/advice.

I really believe God looks at our hearts. As Jesus said about the Sabbath day:

Mar 2:24-28 And the Pharisees said to Him, "Look, why do they do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?" But He said to them, "Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry, he and those with him: how he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the showbread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and also gave some to those who were with him?" And He said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath."

God is a law keeper, but He is also flexible, to a degree, in the interpretation of the "strictness" of His law. Sure God does not want us going around breaking every promise we make, but if we have made a silly, or hurtful oath, I believe God is merciful to us and will forgive us if it is killing us on the inside.

 

[Blade]

Ask Him not man.. there is no judgment no condemnation. Just tell Him your sorry and why.. what ever....trust me He can take it. He loves you He sees knows all about this. Fear worry these kind of things are from the enemy not GOD. No its not a sin.. when ever even in cases like this we just repent keep going. He is not like man where..ooh you said it.. who cares if you rushed into it didn't really thing about it. no take backs! lol

Talk to Him like you would your Father or best friend. We are not living in OT days and there were things Christ said that was not addressed to any Christians or Church but to Jews who were still as He was living by the LAW! Your ok.. from everything you shared.. since you asked..

 

[Skye1300]

Do you think God gives room to release us from a vow?

I think if the vow was made under duress or extreme stress He might. Like if you were in extreme danger and you prayed for God to save you and you will give all your money to the poor or something like that. A vow like that is done under duress or extreme stress. Because you weren't fully in your right mind. Like not being able to give consent under the influence. A vow like that He will probably release you from.

 

[Chris35]

Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

Pray and ask for forgivness for making the vow in the first place, learn from your mistakes, and remember that verse next time.