Understanding Biblical Vows and Taking God's Name in Vain

Making a vow or promise to God is a sacred act that is appropriate when done with a commitment to perform it, and failure to fulfill such a vow constitutes taking the name of the Lord in vainSITI August 11, 1887, page 487.9+1.

Vows and the Third Commandment

Vowing a vow to God and failing to pay it is a direct violation of the third commandment, which forbids taking the name of the Lord in vainSITI August 11, 1887, page 487.9+1. This sin is not limited to blasphemy or the casual, irreverent mention of His name; it specifically includes the "oath of performance" where a person fails to fulfill a future promise made in God's nameSITI August 11, 1887, page 487.9+1. When individuals are in trouble, they often cry out to God and make strong promises of service, yet many forget these resolutions once they are delivered Psalms 66:13-14SITI August 11, 1887, page 487.9. While it is right to make good resolutions and vows, the sin lies in the failure to keep them or being "slack" in their performance Deuteronomy 23:21-23SITI August 11, 1887, page 487.9.

The Sacredness of the Marriage Vow

Marriage is a sacred ordinance and a life-long contract ordained by God at creation Genesis 2:24AH 340.1+2.

• A Binding Covenant: The marriage vow is a solemn pledge made in the sight of heaven and holy angels that links the destinies of two individuals until deathAH 340.1+1.

• Condition for Dissolution: Nothing but the violation of the marriage bed—adultery—can break or annul this sacred vowBDOC 30.22+2.

• Reverence in Relationships: True fidelity to the marriage vow is a requirement for anyone who fears God and obeys His commandmentsTSB 201.2+1.

• Irreverence and Conduct: Violating this sanctity, such as by relating family troubles to a stranger or indulging in base passions, dishonors the institution and takes God's name in vain by disregarding the covenant made before HimAH 338.1+1.

Reverence in Prayer and Conversation

Taking the Lord's name in vain also involves speaking of Him in a common or disrespectful manner2SAT 185.2+1.

• Respectful Speech: Those in a covenant relationship with God are pledged to speak of Him with the highest respect and reverence2SAT 185.2.

• Prayer and Promises: Using the name of Jesus to request things that God has never promised is considered taking His name in vain, as His name is not to be used as a "forgery" for selfish desiresPTUK December 21, 1893, page 595.1.

• Meeting Together: When two or three meet in His name for prayer, Jesus is present to provide unction and grace, emphasizing that the heart must be sincere rather than merely formal Matthew 18:20+18MR 190.2+1.

Practical Guidance on Vows

It is far better to forbear from vowing than to vow and not pay Ecclesiastes 5:2-6SITI August 11, 1887, page 487.9. If you have entered into an engagement but discover you cannot love or respect the person, it is better to break the engagement before marriage than to take the marriage vow and separate afterwardCCh 123.3+2. Once the marriage vow is spoken, however, it remains binding in the sight of God, even if the laws of the land might permit a divorce for trivial reasons Matthew 19:8BDOC 30.22+1.

James 5:12

12 But above all things, my brothers, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yes be yes; and your no, no; lest you fall into condemnation.

Yes, using the name of the Lord in a light or common manner for ordinary things is a violation of the third commandment and is deeply displeasing to GodPTUK April 25, 1895, page 262.12+2. While some interpret James 5:12 as a universal ban on all oaths, it specifically prohibits the irreverent "common swearing" used in ordinary conversation rather than the solemn judicial oath2SP 222.1+2.

The Meaning of Taking the Name in Vain

The third commandment, which states that the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain, forbids more than just profane swearing or blasphemy Exodus 20:7SITI May 26, 1887, page 315.2.

• Irreverent Usage: It condemns all irreverence and the use of the sacred name of the Deity in ordinary conversation or for trivial mattersSITI January 10, 1884, page 21.1+1.

• By-words and Expletives: The commandment forbids "by-words," unnecessary expletives, and any substitutes for oaths that contain the name of GodSITI May 26, 1887, page 315.2.

• Lightness in Worship: Mingling lightness or irreverence with anything pertaining to God's worship or taking His name glibly in prayer or preaching is also a violationPTUK April 25, 1895, page 262.12+1.

• The Sacred and the Common: Charity always maintains a distinction between the sacred and the common; mixing them makes the result common, not sacredPTUK April 25, 1895, page 262.12.

Understanding James 5:12 and Matthew 5:34

The instruction in James 5:12 and Matthew 5:34 to "Swear not at all" must be understood in the context of the practices of that timeARSH September 27, 1864, page 137.8+1.

• Common Conversation: Jesus and James were warning against the habit of "common swearing" prevalent among the Jews, who would swear by their head, by their life, or by heaven and earth to emphasize their words in daily talk4bSG 42.1+2.

• Communication Style: The command is to let your communication be "Yea, yea; Nay, nay," meaning that our simple word should be enough without needing to invoke sacred things to prove our honesty James 5:12+12SP 222.1+1.

• Judicial Oaths: These prohibitions do not touch the judicial oath, which is an appeal to God as a witness to the truth of a testimony in a court of lawARSH September 27, 1864, page 137.8+2. Jesus Himself responded when put under oath by the high priest, and Paul frequently called upon God as a witness to the truth of his writings Romans 1:9+2ARSH September 27, 1864, page 137.8.

Oaths and Character

God expects His followers to be so truthful that their simple "yes" or "no" is absolute2SP 222.1+1.

• The Source of Evil: Anything more than a simple affirmation in common conversation "cometh of evil" because it suggests that a person's ordinary word cannot be trusted Matthew 5:372SP 222.1.

• A Standard of Truth: A Christian's life should show such uprightness that they have no need to take heaven or earth to witness for them in common matters4bSG 42.1+1.

• Avoiding Presumption: We should avoid claiming God's promises or using His name in a way that involves presumption or self-confidence21MR 117.1+1.