When something bad happens once, we pray it won’t happen again.  Let that bad thing become repetitive and we’ll try to figure out what we have to do to stop the cycle.  This is where inner vows are formed.  “I swear I will never have children and bring them into this awful world.”  Or, “I swear I’m going to take care of myself and make a lot of money.”  

These inner vows come in all shapes and sizes and have a way of controlling our lives.  We follow tracks that align with our vows, and the choices are always outside of trusting God to lead us.  We become enslaved to our own words and will remain in captivity to them until we decide to switch tracks and renounce the vows.  

We also make blood oaths as children, mingling our blood with our best friend and pleading allegiance. We also swear (make an oath) when we join many organizations; civil groups such as Eastern Star, Masonic Temple, Shriners, sororities and fraternities, etc.  All are joined through an initiation process where oaths are taken.  Innocent people say the words and fail to see the seriousness of the vows.  To swear allegiance to anyone on penalty of death and/or bodily harm is to become a prisoner to them.  At the time, this person can just believe they are speaking frivolous words to join a club.  Like a game.  But Jesus disagreed.  

By your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”  Matthew 12:37

He also said, You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn. Matthew 5:33 

My father was in the Masonic Order as a young man, but after meeting Jesus, he was convicted of the vows he had taken to join the order. Bravely, he spoke up at the next meeting and biblically defended his choice to renounce his vows and leave the group. It cost him some friendships, but he gained a freedom that we, as his family, grew to appreciate.  Through him, we learned that our choices affect not only us but also those who come after us.