Vows to God

[Docbrown1985]

I’ve really been struggling to find a good answer on this subject as there seem to be many different viewpoints on whether you can actually take back a promise/oath/vow to God or be forgiven for doing so.

It is consistently reminded throughout the Bible that we must not delay in fulfilling our vows and that God takes no pleasure in fools.

Jesus does say that vows come from the evil one but doesn’t free us from previously made oaths.

Now while breaking promises and not keeping our word is a bad thing, if someone breaks a promise to God it is possible God will forgive that individual with sincere repentance.

My confusion is when fulfilling a promise is still possible. Theoretically, say someone promised something like “God I promise one day I’ll go to Jamaica.”

How do they repent at this moment? “God, I’m sorry for not going to Jamaica.”

The issue is that they still can as long as they’re alive. They have their whole life to go. But what if they decide they don’t want to go? For whatever reason?

Would God forgive them for not keeping this vow even though they still can? Or does the vow first have to be broken?

I have heard the argument that an ongoing promise works the same in this situation as an already broken promise, as well as the argument that ignoring an ongoing promise is willful sin, unrepentant, and could send someone to hell.

What exactly should I believe on this subject? How does forgiveness work with ongoing vows to God that can still be kept? Is it forgivable to simply abandon said vow?

 

[disciple Clint]

I’ve really been struggling to find a good answer on this subject as there seem to be many different viewpoints on whether you can actually take back a promise/oath/vow to God or be forgiven for doing so.

It is consistently reminded throughout the Bible that we must not delay in fulfilling our vows and that God takes no pleasure in fools.

Jesus does say that vows come from the evil one but doesn’t free us from previously made oaths.

Now while breaking promises and not keeping our word is a bad thing, if someone breaks a promise to God it is possible God will forgive that individual with sincere repentance.

My confusion is when fulfilling a promise is still possible. Theoretically, say someone promised something like “God I promise one day I’ll go to Jamaica.”

How do they repent at this moment? “God, I’m sorry for not going to Jamaica.”

The issue is that they still can as long as they’re alive. They have their whole life to go. But what if they decide they don’t want to go? For whatever reason?

Would God forgive them for not keeping this vow even though they still can? Or does the vow first have to be broken?

I have heard the argument that an ongoing promise works the same in this situation as an already broken promise, as well as the argument that ignoring an ongoing promise is willful sin, unrepentant, and could send someone to hell.

What exactly should I believe on this subject? How does forgiveness work with ongoing vows to God that can still be kept? Is it forgivable to simply abandon said vow?

So a legal question, but wait are we supposed to be under the law? are we saved by grace and our faith in what Jesus did or do we need to worry about laws? is our God a loving God or is He a demanding tyrant? Well looking at Jesus He seemed to forgive people for all kinds of sins and Jesus was God, so why are we so concerned about the possibility that we may have broken some law that we dont even understand? Tell God you are sorry, He understands, He knew when you made the promise that you would not be able to keep it, He loves you anyway.

 

[Tolworth John]

What exactly should I believe on this subject? How does forgiveness work with ongoing vows to God that can still be kept? Is it forgivable to simply abandon said vow?

Keep it Simple.

Don't make vows or promises to God. You cannot keep them, so don't make them.

Look at why do you want to make vows or promises to God?
Look at why you cannot keep them.

Why do you want to go to Jamaca? Are yo involved in a church or missionary society with links there? What can you do there?
Cliff Richards while supporting Tear Fund was in India and was so impressed by the work there that he offered to join them.
He was asked what use would you be to us here compared to the use you are publicising our work and raising funds.

Compare your use to what ever field you are making promises for against what you are already doing where you are.

As Clint has said we are not sved or condemned by our promises, but by faith in Jesus.

 

[timf]

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.

Mat 5:37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

 

[Docbrown1985]

So a legal question, but wait are we supposed to be under the law? are we saved by grace and our faith in what Jesus did or do we need to worry about laws? is our God a loving God or is He a demanding tyrant? Well looking at Jesus He seemed to forgive people for all kinds of sins and Jesus was God, so why are we so concerned about the possibility that we may have broken some law that we dont even understand? Tell God you are sorry, He understands, He knew when you made the promise that you would not be able to keep it, He loves you anyway.

Why do many Christians believe we are still under the law? What makes you think we aren’t? And you mean Old Testament correct? I’m just confused as to what exactly is trusting in God’s Grace vs actively sinning

 

[Docbrown1985]

Why do many Christians believe we are still under the law? What makes you think we aren’t? And you mean Old Testament correct? I’m just confused as to what exactly is trusting in God’s Grace vs actively sinning

 

[disciple Clint]

Why do many Christians believe we are still under the law? What makes you think we aren’t? And you mean Old Testament correct? I’m just confused as to what exactly is trusting in God’s Grace vs actively sinning

Well Doc I do not know why people think what they think, I am not a Psychiatrist. The Epistles of Paul make it very clear that we are saved by grace through faith. My post has little to nothing to do with the O.T.

 

[Docbrown1985]

If you don't want to fulfill the vow for some reason, of course it's forgivable, but you should treat it seriously. You repent of making a vow without proper forethought and weight, not for the specific thing you didn't do—repent for making a vow lightly. This will help you to connect to the forgiveness so you don't feel like the unfulfilled nature of it kind of hangs over your head all the time.

I really want to look at it this way but I am confused as to why this would work.

It is very clear in the Old Testament we have to keep our vows unless my understanding of Christianity is flawed and I’m confused there. But where do you get the idea that we really can abandon vows? What kind of scripture supports it?

 

[Docbrown1985]

It's legalistic.

Look for Scriptures that say you can't keep the Law, you are free from the Law, you are dead to the Law.

You can't love God perfectly either.

You are supposed to—it's commanded.

So really this is about whether one is legalistic or not right?

Some people might say you absolutely have to keep the vow for salvation while some say you don’t correct?

 

[disciple Clint]

So really this is about whether one is legalistic or not right?

Some people might say you absolutely have to keep the vow for salvation while some say you don’t correct?

Doc we are not in the O.T. we have a N.T. it replaces the O.T. covenants We are under a different covenant than the people in the O.T. Does that help you?

 

[Docbrown1985]

Absolutely, brother.

By the works of the Law no one will be justified, for through the Law is knowledge of sin.

The Law is not the means of salvation, but the means of condemnation.

I see what you’re getting at but what do you think of James 5:12?

But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by the heaven, nor by the earth, nor by any other oath: but let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay; that ye fall not under judgment.

What verses do you look to to disregard the law as means for salvation?