“Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God” (Ecclesiastes 5:2, NKJV). This verse is specifically about approaching God, but the wisdom extends further than prayer alone.
Haste rarely produces wisdom. Whether it’s a quick vow made to God or a quick word fired off in an argument, speed and thoughtfulness tend to work against each other.
The Preacher’s counsel here is humility. God is in heaven, we are on earth, and that gap should make us slower to speak and quicker to listen, both in prayer and in ordinary conversation.
If there’s a promise you’ve made hastily, to God or to someone else, this verse is a good invitation to slow down and reconsider it honestly.