“Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT MAKE FALSE VOWS, BUT SHALL FULFILL YOUR VOWS TO THE LORD.’ “But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is THE CITY OF THE GREAT KING. “Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. “But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil.”
Should we make promises to God? What do the scriptures say about us making promises to God?
My answer to the first question is no because Jesus said so.[1]My response to the second is the scriptures say we are not empowered to make promises.[2]
The other important issue is this: Why would we need to make a promise to God? More about this later.
I try to work from the New Testament Gospels whenever I interpret scripture. My reason is that Jesus said He was (in the process of) fulfilling the law.[3] Note this statement in the reference:
‘The law is valid under the new covenant but cannot be followed rightly apart from Christ.’
Each one of us needs to understand and accept this statement.
Making oaths, or promises, is much the same thing today. The Old Testament speaks much about this and our inability to promise anything, as none of us knows what will happen in the next few minutes of our lives. For instance, how often have you used expressions like: ‘I was quite surprised to discover, or I was shocked at what happened next.’ This indicates that what happened ahead of you was not what you expected. Another example: ‘I can’t make our appointment this evening. I had to rush Johnny to the doctor; he broke his arm.’ I made an appointment because of an unexpected event (I didn’t know it would happen as I can’t tell the future). I have to cancel my appointment. Now, how can we promise ahead if things happen that we don’t expect? An appointment is a form of promise. I’m trying to illustrate a principle here – are you following me? Of course, we all make these promises as life would otherwise be confusing, so I’m not saying stop making promises.
But technically, we can’t promise because we can’t tell the future.
“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” [4]
Back to where we started: Can I make a promise to God? Sure, you can if it pleases you for some reason. But if you understand the above scriptures, you will find it unnecessary to make a promise to God. God is all-knowing, all things all the time. In the life of a believer who understands their purpose in this life and applies their purpose in every moment of their lives, with concentration, promises are unnecessary. If for no reason other than God knows what you will or will not do ahead of time. Can you see that?
I was part of a religion for some thirty-odd years. This religious group had many rules. Do this or don’t do this and face the consequences. Rules have values. Name a few: They create order and engender accountability and other positive traits. But on the negative side, groups can use rules to control and ensure obedience through fear. The law of Moses could be said to achieve all the above depending on how people interpreted the laws. Jesus came to achieve the correct interpretation for all who love God. As a result, thou shall and shalt not become encompassed in, Love the Lord your God; love your neighbor as I (Jesus) have loved you and have shown you how to do this.’
The Scots have a saying, ‘D’ye ken?’ Translated – Do you know? Figuratively – Do you understand? Well, do you? Do you understand that it is not necessary to promise God anything?
The words and lifestyle of Jesus have made it possible for you and me to accomplish our purpose in the short span of our lives here on this earth. So, there is no need to promise anything to anybody, least of all God; just let your yes be yes and no be no, okay? Excellent!
Love and Blessings
Peter-James.