Q: Bishop Houston people make promises, vows, and pledges every day. Is it deceitful to produce something that could possibly be voided?
A great question!!! Thank you for asking.
A: To answer your question, it’ll help to comprehend why promises, vows, and pledges were established in the first place. Commitments, vows, and oaths were introduced and created in Old Testament times to resolve disagreements. Back then, it wasn’t uncommon for men to be dishonorable – loyalty and morality was not a friend of truth. It was the lack of integrity, why vows were applied.
Promises, vows, and pledges aren’t something to be taken casually. From the beginning, making promises vows or pledges has been profoundly a problematic situation. Whenever a vow was made in God’s Name, His Name, reputation, and integrity were put on the line. If what was promised in God’s Name wasn’t met, then the one who made the vow was in sin. To those that knew about the situation, it made God look like a fool and would become a stumbling block to those who didn’t know God. For that purpose, a vow was entered into with intense awareness, so that God’s Name wouldn’t be slandered.
The best practice is to “keep it simple” and do what you say. In Matthew 5:34-37, Jesus said: “But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne. And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. 36 Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black. Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.”
Beloved your uncomplicated yes or no should be so overflowing with sincerity and integrity that the one you’re coming into agreement with will see that you’re a person of your word. It would be best if you didn’t have to accentuate your words with other terms, such as a promise, pledge, or vow.
Thank you for your question.
Bishop, W. F. Houston, Jr.
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