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"Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin"

Text: Ecclesiastes 5:6

ACCOUNTABILITY TO GOD

Making a vow is serious because we are ultimately accountable to God. The breaking of a vow may end up with chastisement from the Lord.

“Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin,
nor say before the messenger of God that it was an error.
Why should God be angry at your excuse
and destroy the work of your hands?”
Ecclesiastes 5:6

1. “Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin”

a) To speak rashly in making a vow is unwise.

b) It is in fact sin before God.

c) The “mouth” represents the organ of speech.

d) The “flesh” is a reference to the individual person.

2. “Nor say before the messenger of God that it was an error”

a) The “messenger of God” may refer to the temple priest.

b) The priest represents God.

c) The worshipper may make a vow before the priest.

d) He cannot simply excuse himself to the priest by saying that his vow was “an error”.

e) This is an excuse that would not be accepted at all.

3. “Why should God be angry at your excuse and destroy the work of your hands?”

a) God does not suffer fools gladly.

b) It is His prerogative to be angry with one who makes empty vows.

c) He reserves the right to mete out a strong penalty.

d) He could destroy the work of your hands.

i) This highlights the seriousness of a vow made to God.

ii) Vows uttered before God must not be taken lightly!