S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

There are about 30 biblical references to vows, most of which are from the Old Testament. The books of Leviticus and Numbers have several references to vows in relation to offerings and sacrifices....

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July 01 2013 • 3 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Dorothy Mathieson Supporter

I am one who has not read everything that the Bible states about keeping our laws and oaths. 

This one I do know: In 1 Corinthians 7:2, in the New Spirit Filled Life Bible, it states that "...because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife and let each woman have her own husband." 

It is my belief, that being humble enough to accept the fact that we are not Almighty God, as we were only made in His image, can bring us to even start to understand how our vows/oaths must work.

Again, it is my belief, that Jesus only, can bring us closer to God, so us males/females can follow God's laws. 

Oh gosh yes, He knows we will fail in areas in our lives. (He made us in His image. Genesis 1:26, which I believe, is not exactly like Him.) But again, knowing Him and then asking Jesus into our lives, which brings us more inner strength also, through the Holy Spirit, for the understanding of His forgiveness. This will ensure we keep His unfailing love, much, much closer, so our inner lives can be and will be, strengthened by His unconditional love.

What did Jesus do? Philippians 2:1-8. Unity through humility, and then, in John 17:2-4. Continue from John 17: 6-26.This is how we can follow Him, Not with our own commands, our own vows and our own oaths. Only with Him, Jesus Christ as our Saviour.

March 03 2019 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What does the Bible say about keeping your vows/oaths?

When you look through Scripture, you start to notice that the Bible treats vows and oaths with a kind of quiet seriousness. Not dramatic, not ceremonial — just a steady reminder that the words we speak carry weight. In Ecclesiastes 5, there is this direct warning: "When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it." It adds that it's better not to vow at all than to make one and walk away from it. That is not harshness; it is honesty about how easily people promise more than they intend to give.

The Old Testament often frames vows as something sacred. Numbers 30:2 says, "If a man vows a vow to the Lord… he shall not break his word." It is simple, almost blunt. You see this lived out in stories like Hannah, who promises her son to the Lord and follows through even when it costs her something deeply personal. Her vow becomes part of Israel's history through Samuel's life. The Bible does not treat vows as casual; they shape real lives.

Then Jesus steps in and shifts the focus. In the Sermon on the Mount, He does not encourage more vows — He actually discourages them. He says, "Do not swear at all… Let your 'Yes' be yes, and your 'No,' no." (Matthew 5:34–37) It is not a rejection of commitment; it is a call to be the kind of person whose everyday words are already trustworthy. If your normal speech is honest, you do not need to stack promises on top of it to prove you mean what you say.

James echoes this same idea later: "Above all… do not swear… but let your yes be yes and your no be no." It reminds us that integrity is not built on dramatic declarations but on consistency—the quiet habit of saying what you mean and following through.

The Bible also shows the danger of rash vows. Jephthah's vow in Judges 11 is one of the most sobering examples. He speaks quickly, without thought, and the consequences are devastating. It is a story that almost stands as a warning: do not make promises in moments of emotion or pressure. Think. Slow down. Speak carefully.

So the biblical picture of vows is not just about formal oaths; it is about character. It is about living in a way where your words match your actions, where promises are not used to impress or manipulate, and where commitments are not made lightly. God does not demand constant vow‑making. He invites honesty, humility, and reliability — the kind of life where keeping your word becomes a natural expression of faithfulness.

If anything, Scripture keeps pointing toward this simple truth: God is faithful, and His people are called to reflect that faithfulness in the way they speak and the way they follow through.

Summary of the whole subject

Scripture treats vows as meaningful commitments, not casual promises. In Ecclesiastes 5, people are warned to fulfil what they vow to God and to avoid making promises they do not intend to keep. The Old Testament shows vows as serious acts of devotion, like Hannah dedicating Samuel after asking God for a child. Jesus later shifts the focus from formal oaths to honest speech, teaching in Matthew 5:37 that a simple yes or no should be enough. James reinforces this, urging believers to speak truthfully without relying on sworn declarations. The Bible also shows the danger of impulsive vows, as seen in Jephthah's story. Overall, Scripture encourages integrity — speaking carefully, following through, and living in a way that reflects God's faithfulness.

August 22 2026 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report