Watch your mouth. Sometimes in life, we are quick to make rash promises or decisions because of our selfish desires. We never take time to consider the cost or impact of what we are saying. Often we say things, never realizing that we may be harming someone we love or someone we never intended to hurt just because we want something so badly.
In Judges 11, Jephthah is about to go to war against the Ammonites. He wanted to win the war so bad that Jephthah tells the Lord that if he allows him to win the war, he will sacrifice as a burnt offering whatever comes forth out of his house to greet him. Jephthah made the vow without considering all the possibilities of who may greet him when he returned home. He never thought of the possibility that it may be someone he loved rather than an animal to greet him.
His vow was of great consequence because the first person to greet him was his daughter. Jephthah only had one child, which was his daughter. Imagine making a vow to God because of your ambitions and have that vow cost you your only child. This is why you must watch your mouth. Think about what you say before you say it. Consider the consequences. Contemplate what you are giving up compared to what you are asking for. Watch your mouth because the outcome may be heartbreaking.
Never make a promise without considering whether or not you will be able to keep that promise. You are better off not making a promise or vow than to make it and not honor it. Jephthah honored the vow he made to the Lord. Watch your mouth because what comes out of your mouth may cost someone their life.
