Ecclesiastes 5:1-7
1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. 2 Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. 3 For a dream comes with much business, and a fool’s voice with many words.
4 When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. 5 It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. 6 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? 7 For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (Ec 5:1–7). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
When you promise something to God do not take it lightly. Many people will make promises to God and they will turn their back on the promise as soon as possible. I am reminded of an Episode of Cheers when Sam promises to give up Sex for a year if this girl is not having his child. There are probably a lot of men in our world that make that promise. But most of them like Sam realize that a Year is a long time. But a promise made to God should never be taken lightly.
Sam is told by Carla that if he does not keep his promise his penis will fall off. Now that may not be the exact truth. But God does take vows seriously. But people seem to take these things lightly. Think of people who stand before grand juries and courts swearing oaths that they don't really mean. People put their hands on a Bible and think nothing of it.
Solomon tells us to guard our steps watch what you are doing when you come to the House of God. When you draw near to pray to God know what you can promise and what you can't. Know what you are honestly capable of doing. Or you could even follow Jesus' words of let your "yes" be "yes" and your "no" be "no." Just like Solomon says, "Let not your mouth lead you into sin" by lying to God.
Pray to God in the Name of your Lord Jesus Christ. Pray in any time of trouble not offering God anything but the sacrifice he has given for you. Jesus Christ your Lord has died for the forgiveness of your sins. He has washed you clean in his blood. He has placed you before your Father in Heaven to call upon him in every time of trouble with all boldness and confidence. You do not need to offer extra vows which will only lead to further lies to God but pray in the name of your Savior Jesus Christ.
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