The Tongue - Edition #7: A Solemn Vow

April 6th, 2006

A friend sent a response from Edition 3, noting:
“After reading your quiet time today I wanted to add that Jesus’ heart toward Judas was filled with love and compassion, so much so that the other eleven disciples had no idea that Judas would be the betrayer. Jesus treated Judas with the same love as he gave the other disciples. I think that this is where the difference is… he had a heart of love, humility and compassion toward Judas… along with the rest of us sinners. That is why, when he was hanging, in excruciating pain, on the cross he could appeal to God on our behalf, “Father, forgive them, they don't know what they are doing.” It wasn't just a matter of controlling his tongue, but controlling his thoughts and choosing love…

Good point. Thanks for the feedback, I really appreciate it.

Panting and perspiring, a friend and I were on a tandem bicycle at last got to the top of a steep hill. “That was a stiff climb,” my friend said. “It certainly was,” I replied. “And if I hadn’t kept the brake on, we would have slid down backward.” I got some good news, I guess. The MRI came back clean, so there is nothing wrong with my brain. I was somewhat hoping that they would find something, simply because if they did, they might be able to fix my bi-polar as well. But alas, it is good news that there isn’t a tumor or anything like they were speculating. I get results back on my heart test today.

The Tongue – Edition #7: A Solemn Vow

Ecclesiastes 5:1-7
Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. As a dream comes when there are many cares, so the speech of a fool when there are many words.

When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore stand in awe of God.

I should not be quick with my mouth. I need to let my words be few. That reminds of the Proverb that says that when words are many, sin is not far. When I speak, I am accountable for what I say. A vow is an interesting word.

Vow (verb):

• A solemn promise or statement by which a person is bound to an act, service, or condition.


• An earnest promise to perform a specified act or behave in a certain manner, especially a solemn promise to live and act in accordance with the rules of a religious order.


• A declaration or assertion.

If I should make a vow, it is a promise. It is a declaration that I will or will not do something. It is a binding agreement that whatever was vowed will be followed through. It is to be done with emphasis. It is to be done in a strong way and done with force from the heart. Vows shouldn’t be taken lightly. In this day and age, unfortunately the society I live in puts less meaning into a vow. Marriage vows, baptismal vows, governmental vows are just a few that I can think of that fall to second hand where first place becomes the “me, myself, and I.”

John 1:19-21
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because our anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

Everyone should be slow to speak and quick to listen. Everyone includes me. I generally am the one who is slow to listen and quick to speak. And when I do those things, my mouth leads me into sin. I am beginning to see something in all this, I am beginning to understand a little more about the tongue and just how wicked it really is… this is really a tough thing to truly grasp my brain around. At least my brain doesn’t have a tumor in it, and for that I am grateful. Thanks for all your prayers, and I beg that you continue your prayers for a finding of my leg pain, my friend’s health problems, and my aunt’s cancer. Have a wonderful day and may God bless you all in a surprising and wonderful way. Johnny Out.