The Bible cautions against making vows to God, stating that it's better not to promise than to vow and not fulfill it.
In Matthew 5:33-37, Jesus addresses the practice of swearing oaths, emphasizing that one should simply let their 'yes' be 'yes' and their 'no' be 'no.' This teaching implies that making vows can lead to hypocrisy and deceit, especially when one fails to uphold them. Examples from the Old Testament illustrate instances where vows were made, yet Jesus highlights the importance of honesty in communication without attaching frivolous promises to it. By relying on God's character as the ultimate promise keeper, we acknowledge human fallibility in making commitments to God.
Scripture References:
Matthew 5:33-37, Leviticus 19:12, Ecclesiastes 5:2
Commentary