- Dec 3, 2020
- 14
- 7
- 38
- Country
- United States
- Faith
- Lutheran
- Marital Status
- Single
This might be a strange one, but here goes...
Before I become a member of a Lutheran church (WELS) I attended fundamentalist Baptist churches. During this time, I vowed to God that I would not play cards. The fundamentalist churches look down on all card playing due to its past associations with gambling. I made this vow because I really enjoyed card games, but was made to feel that it was an evil activity.
I didn't want anything between me and the Lord, so I made an inner vow / promise to the Lord to give up card playing.
Now, I have come to realize this was a legalistic understanding that I had, kind of like the Pharisees who added extra rules not found in the Scriptures. I would like to be able to enjoy non-gambling card games with my family as a way to build our family relationships. My question is, am I bound under this vow I made to God, or may I confess it as sinful and foolish, made in an incorrect understanding, and be at liberty to enjoy playing cards with my family?
If the Lord wants me to keep this vow, I am glad to do so. But if it is foolish and legalistic to keep it, I don't want to continue keeping it either. I'm torn on what to do because of Scriptures such as Psalm 15:4 - "in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the LORD; who swears to his own hurt and does not change;" (ESV)
Any scriptural counsel / advice would be much appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
Before I become a member of a Lutheran church (WELS) I attended fundamentalist Baptist churches. During this time, I vowed to God that I would not play cards. The fundamentalist churches look down on all card playing due to its past associations with gambling. I made this vow because I really enjoyed card games, but was made to feel that it was an evil activity.
I didn't want anything between me and the Lord, so I made an inner vow / promise to the Lord to give up card playing.
Now, I have come to realize this was a legalistic understanding that I had, kind of like the Pharisees who added extra rules not found in the Scriptures. I would like to be able to enjoy non-gambling card games with my family as a way to build our family relationships. My question is, am I bound under this vow I made to God, or may I confess it as sinful and foolish, made in an incorrect understanding, and be at liberty to enjoy playing cards with my family?
If the Lord wants me to keep this vow, I am glad to do so. But if it is foolish and legalistic to keep it, I don't want to continue keeping it either. I'm torn on what to do because of Scriptures such as Psalm 15:4 - "in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the LORD; who swears to his own hurt and does not change;" (ESV)
Any scriptural counsel / advice would be much appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
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