Verse of the day: Exodus 20:7 “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.”
I will begin with the most common thing we think about when we think about taking the Lord’s Name in vain. Ephesians 4:29-30 commands us, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” The word “vain” means “emptiness of speech, falsehood, vanity, worthlessness of conduct”. Jews would not customarily pronounce God’s Name outside of prayer and study. They would not even casually write the LORD’s Name (Tracey R. Rich, Judaism 101). Yet, today, we are very flippant about throwing God’s Name out there for no valid reason. How often have we heard Christians say, “Oh my God”, or exclaim the Lord Jesus’ Name inappropriately? I have observed that some television programs will “bleep” out cuss words, but not “bleep” out when God’s Name is used as a cuss word. As grievous as this is for any Christian to do, this command is more than just verbally using God’s Name in a derogatory or useless manner. As pointed out earlier, the word “vain” means “falsehood, and worthlessness of conduct”. Tracey R. Rich wrote in the article “Judaism 101”, “In Jewish thought, that commandment refers solely to oath-taking, and is a prohibition against swearing by God's Name falsely or frivolously (the word normally translated as ‘in vain’ literally means ‘for falsehood’)”. Swearing on God’s Name, then lying or using it for falsehood is taking God’s Name in vain. We also take the Lord’s Name in vain when we profess His Name, but then not live a life that honors that Name. When we claim to represent Jesus, but live in such a way that we honor Him only with our lips, this is taking the LORD’s Name in vain. Jesus said in Matthew 15:7-8, “Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.” Jesus, in Matthew 5:33, tells us not to forswear ourselves, but keep our oaths to the Lord; and in verse 37 tells us that our “yes” should be “yes”, and our “no” should be “no”. When we fail to keep our word, as Christians, who bear Christ’s Name, especially when we “swear to God”, we take the Lord’s Name in vain. Some have lied, and used the phrase, “God is my witness” to convince others that they were being honest. This is a clear violation of God’s command. I completely understand, as I pray you do also, that our sins have been paid for on the Cross, and we are no longer under the Law. However, this does not exempt us from suffering some kind of loss for violating the Word of God. When we use the Lord’s Name in vain, we put a wedge between us and the LORD in our fellowship. We hinder our times of prayer, and our ability to be sensitive to His voice. There may be no condemnation for those of us who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1), but our words and works will be tried for the purpose of gaining or losing reward (1 Corinthians 3:11-15). The Lord clearly stated that those who take His Name in vain will not be guiltless. The fact that we are not under the Law does not mean we are above the Law. Jesus said in Matthew 12:36-37, “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Our salvation may be founded on God’s grace, and not our works (Ephesians 2:8-9), but we prove our faith, and salvation, by our works (James 2:14-26; Philippians 2:12). With that said, we must take better care to avoid taking the Lord’s Name in vain; not just by refraining from uselessly speaking it, but by doing all we can to live out our profession of faith, as that profession is built on the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Acts 4:12 reads, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
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