From Pastor's Desk
Other Subject Matters - Importance of Vows made unto the Lord-Part 2 - Minister Oscene Barrett (Chicago)
Meaning of VOWS: Hebrew 'ecar es-sawr' or riccar {is-sawr'}; an obligation or vow (of abstinence):--binding, bond.
mibta`
mib-taw'; a rash utterance (hasty vow):--(that which ...) uttered (out of).
nadar naw-dar' a primitive root; to promise (pos., to do or give something to God):--(make a) vow.
neder neh'-der or neder {nay'-der};a promise (to God); also (concretely)
a thing promised:--vow((-ed)).
Greek
anathematizo
an-ath-em-at-id'-zo ; to declare or vow under penalty of execration:--(bind under a) curse, bind with an oath.
euche
yoo-khay' ; properly, a wish, expressed as a petition to God, or in votive obligation:--prayer, vow.
From the above definitions, one can see that a vow is a promise, an oath, or bond, hence, it is binding. Everyone has an obligation to fulfill his or her vows, or risk being considered a liar. There is no getting around it here. One of mankind’s greatest
challenge in relationships rests in the value he/she places on his own word. Frankly, we have a problem being truthful. Also, we have wrestled for years with the inherency of being hasty to speak, which has resulted in us making utterances that are not
true or properly thought out. This is how Apostle James puts it:
"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath": James 1:19
James was clearly not alone, because a similar statement was
already in recorded before Apostle James’ utterance. Here it is:
Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:2
It is because we neglect the admonition of the Lord, and very often we are not diligent, that we often end up making rash promises, which we could not fulfill and in some cases refuse to fulfill. This has resulted in a lot of hurt especially within the
apostolic churches. How many brothers/sisters do you know who have been hurt by rash speakers, individuals who do not care that others are looking to them for a reason of hope (a word to believe)? We should refuse, to be caught up in the euphoria of
those moments when we say things that we have no intention of keeping. This delinquency makes one a liar, and consequently a sin, which if not repented of, bars you from the door to glory.
What we rather should be, is eager to HEAR, but very slow
to speak; but many accept the reverse to the detriment not only of their soul, but that of others. We do not want to hear, while we can’t wait to speak!!!
To be continued next week. If you want to know more about this and any other topic,
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