Promise to God

[NoahSK]

So a while back I was in a really bad OCD moment of doubting my salvation and I think I might have promised God that I would never play video games again or something because I thought He wouldn't save me unless I gave them up or something. So for a while I didn't play games because I thought if I did it would mean I would lose salvation or that it would mean I wasn't truly saved. After a while, I figured that what I was doing was works based and legalistic, and I noticed that I began to return to inappropriate content again after giving up the games, I figured I could start playing again so as not to be legalistic and I thought it might help distract me from the inappropriate content. So I decided to start playing again. Anyways, right now I'm worried because I promised I would never play again (I think, it might have been for just a while at least, I don't really remember) and I'm playing again. Does that mean I'm breaking a promise to God whenever I play? I remember before I started playing again I kind of did some weird prayer talking to God about it, and I came to the conclusion that I could play again. But now I'm worried. Is that vow still in effect? Am I sinning by playing video games because of it?

 

[Sabertooth]

Overwhelmed By OCD...?

There is nothing that I can explain that will make the compulsions stop, otherwise.

 

[NoahSK]

Overwhelmed By OCD...?

There is nothing that I can explain that will make the compulsions stop, otherwise.

How does this answer my question? It's not about the compulsions and stuff, it's the vow I'm asking about.

 

[God is good]

How does this answer my question? It's not about the compulsions and stuff, it's the vow I'm asking about.

Just remember brother that God knows your heart and we probably shouldn't keep promises to God because as fallen humans we can easily break them. Jesus really loves you and if you feel like you made a vow then just repent and ask for Jesus to forgive you. God loves you more than you will know. God bless you and Jesus is Lord.

 

[NoahSK]

Just remember brother that God knows your heart and we probably shouldn't keep promises to God because as fallen humans we can easily break them. Jesus really loves you and if you feel like you made a vow then just repent and ask for Jesus to forgive you. God loves you more than you will know. God bless you and Jesus is Lord.

What I'm asking though is if the vow is still in effect and if I'm sinning every time I play the games because of it.

 

[Sabertooth]

How does this answer my question? It's not about the compulsions and stuff, it's the vow I'm asking about.

Your "vows" are a manifestation of your compulsions. Treat the compulsiveness, first. Then

1. you won't make vows that you cannot honor (and feel so condemned as a result), and
2. your racing mind might slow down long enough so you can hear where God wants you to concentrate your efforts. Constantly fretting over your "broken" promises is actually causing you to ignore God in your life. That is your bigger problem.

 

[God is good]

What I'm asking though is if the vow is still in effect and if I'm sinning every time I play the games because of it.

No because you made that vow under ocd not your own will. As long as you repent brother you can be forgiven by God.

 

[Sabertooth]

As long as you repent brother you can be forgiven by God.

But repent for making rash vows, not for breaking them.

 

[A Gerbil]

I have made promises to God out of desperation and then broken them. I have learned not to do that. I believe God is loving and He is gracious, repent and you shall be forgiven.

 

[NoahSK]

I have made promises to God out of desperation and then broken them. I have learned not to do that. I believe God is loving and He is gracious, repent and you shall be forgiven.

So is the vow still in effect?

 

[A Gerbil]

So is the vow still in effect?

No. Temptation's too much for you, and you should repent for making a vow that you are clearly unable to keep. Repent and move on.

 

[God is good]

But repent for making rash vows, not for breaking them.

Yes

 

[Sabertooth]

Jesus said (and says now),
“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one." Matthew 5:33-37 NKJV

 

[Mari17]

Just want to point out that with OCD, we often feel like we think/want/promise things that we really didn't. It's because we're so good at over-analyzing every little bit of our thoughts and feelings.

 

[dl_17]

Just want to point out that with OCD, we often feel like we think/want/promise things that we really didn't. It's because we're so good at over-analyzing every little bit of our thoughts and feelings.

Hello there! I'm really sorry for bothering you, but I've noticed that you reply to a lot of threads regarding OCD and vows. If you don't mind, is it possible for you to check my thread too? I have a similar problem. Thank you so much! God bless you!

 

[Mari17]

Hello there! I'm really sorry for bothering you, but I've noticed that you reply to a lot of threads regarding OCD and vows. If you don't mind, is it possible for you to check my thread too? I have a similar problem. Thank you so much! God bless you!

Done!