Overview

Proverbs 18:21a, Proverbs 20:25

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and we can get stuck in a trap when we make a promise without taking time to think before making it. We make promises to each other and promises to God, and Jephthah’s story shows what can happen when those promises are made hastily. We should come to God for help rather than making deals with man, not bargain with God, and be people of our word.

Do Not Make Promises with Man Without the Counsel of God

Judges 11:9-11

In desperate times, we can turn to other places rather than going to God. Seek God for His promises and godly counsel rather than making a hasty deal. When there is no clear direction, it is better to ask for more time than rush into a decision or promise.

Points

1. Desperation can cause us to turn somewhere other than God for a solution.
2. Decisions made in desperation can either lead us to lean on God or lead to terrible consequences.
3. Before making a hasty deal, seek God’s promises and godly counsel.
4. When there is no clear direction, do not let pressure force a rushed decision.

Do not Bargain with God

Judges 11:29-31, Ecclesiastes 5:2-7

A vow to God should be taken seriously and kept. Bargaining with God puts the emphasis on what we can get from God rather than what we will give to God.

Points

1. When a vow is made to God, it should be kept.
2. Bargaining with God focuses on what we can get from Him.
3. Conditional statements can instead put the emphasis on what we will give to God.
4. Jephthah’s focus on getting victory led him to make a hasty promise whose consequences he later had to face.

Do Not Make Promises You Can’t Keep

Judges 11:34-35, Matthew 5:33-37

Only make promises that it is possible for you to keep. We should be reliable and dependable people who live up to our word. When we say yes, we should mean yes, and when we say no, we should mean no.

Points

1. A promise should only be made when it is possible to keep it.
2. Unreasonable promises and commitments leave us unable to do what we said we would do.
3. Christians should have a reputation for being dependable.
4. There should be no need for elaborate oaths when our yes means yes and our no means no.

Conclusion

Come to God for help rather than making deals with man, do not bargain with God, and be a person of your word by following through on promises or asking for forgiveness when you have not.