2:86 – Did I Break My Vow

#faithbites #faithjourney vow

What is a Vow? In noun form it means a solemn promise. In verb form it means solemnly promise to do something.

For Lent, many people make a Vow to give something up. I made a vow to give up debating politics, memes, religion, and more. The reason was I felt I needed to do it to shine the light in falsehoods. But it was taking up my time, energy, and didn’t seem to be giving me the outcomes I wanted. So I gave it up.

It has been hard. Many times, I’ve started a reply and stopped. Other times, I’ve thought about it, researched it, and didn’t post.

I posted something a few days about politics but it was to acknowledge someone’s service and not to debate. Someone said I broke my vow.

Tonight I started having a discussion with someone about religion but stopped because if my vow. She wanted to continue as it was a friendly debate to help us all learn. So we are discussing it. Did I break my vow?

Scripture

• When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? – Ecclesiastes 5:4-6
• If a man vows a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth. – Numbers 30:2
• But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord!” – Jonah 2:9

Reflection

When I was searching for scripture tonight, most of the verses was old testament as they refer to law. Most of the old testament is law and most of the New testament is Gospel.

We see that you should never vow something to God if you aren’t going to follow through with it. A vow is a promise between you and the Lord. Be it marriage, be it being confirmed, be it any promise. It is better to keep your mouth shut and not do anything.

But I couldn’t find scripture about when you are breaking avow or not, especially when it’s grey.

In my case, I don’t believe that I’ve broken my vow. The purpose was to give me more time for family, faith, and friends and I think I’m doing it. I believe the Lord is working through my to grow me and those around me.

My closing thoughts are promises are between two people. Only those two can say if you’ve kept them or not. When you vow to God, you will know in your heart of hearts if you broke it or not. And if you’ve done it, Jesus forgives. You can start again and go from there.

Charge

Have you broken a vow? Has someone else told you, you boke your vow? If so, you can be forgiven. Only you and God know if it’s broken. Talk to him, he will forgive. If you’ve broken a vow to a person, confess, and be forgiven. Before you make a vow, remember that it is a solemn promise to do something. Don’t ever take them lightly.

Prayer

Gracious God, thank you for the power of a Vow. Help us to remember that when we vow, we are giving you our solemn promise. Forgive us if we fail. Help us remind the relationships with you and others when that helps us. Remind us to never vow if it isn’t something we can do. In your name, Amen.