“Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT MAKE FALSE VOWS, BUT SHALL FULFILL YOURVOWS 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.
Human beings are not capable of making promises that cannot be broken. In the Old Testament there was a strict prohibition against making false vows. When a person makes a vow, God will hold this person to it, but the persons word is not sufficient to guarantee that it will come to pass. It has to do with man’s pride believing that their own word is as valid as the word of God when it isn’t. Humans are too vulnerable and finite in their nature. It is for this reason that Jesus says such boastful vows are the work of Satan who wants people to be put at enmity with God. Jesus says let your yest be yes and your no be no. This is all that we are able to control.
Daily Prayer: Father, by your Spirit build me into a person who can say, “Yes, if my Lord permits it.” This way I am seeking you in all life’s decisions are if it be your will, it will surely be done. I depend on your power, your wisdom, and your timing for all my life’s choices. In your holy name I pray Amen.
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