Wednesday, February 24, 2010

I Swear !

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." 
 

So what does this mean? I've heard it said that when we do use God's name in vain we are actually pronouncing, in the spiritual realm, that to happen into the situation or person. Even the use of "oh my God" other than at a time when we truly need His help is using His name in an improper manner. How we have changed in our thinking.

You know me and definitions. 
Vain according to Webster tells us it means having no real value; in other words: idle, worthless, foolish or silly. Consider that. God who created the heavens and the earth, who formed us in our mother's wombs, who knows everything about us and has known since before we were yet formed. Is it right to use His name foolishly for all He's done for us? Is God foolish? I think not. Are we? No doubt.

He is deserving of much more respect than that. I've seen movies and television programs that use His name inappropriately. I remember seeing a movie some time ago on television that blanked out all offensive words...but when the name of God was used it was okay. That was almost more offensive to me than the other vulgarities. 

It's never appropriate to speak God's name other than in reverence or in a time of need. He says He will not hold anyone guiltless who takes His name in vain. How our society has changed. Some might say from prim and proper to "getting with it."  Times change...but does God?

If we have been created by this all-knowing, all loving, even judgmental God, wouldn't it be best to show Him the respect due Him? Listen to what these verses in the Psalms say:
Psalm 8:3-4 - When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?

Who are we? 2Timothy reminds us that as children of God we have great authority over things on this earth...and will in heaven. We will reign with Him. 
2Timothy 2:12 - If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. The second part of this verse sort of tells us He will think twice about who He would want to be part of that privilege. Our use of His name is just one point.

Perhaps we need to hear more in our churches about exactly what taking God's name in vain means. Maybe the following scripture sheds some light. The Levite Priests were called by God to teach all things to the people. Has this been taken too lightly? Has it been too harsh a word and clergy are afraid of losing congregants with hard words? I do believe God's name would fit in the context of unholy and unclean.

Ezekiel 44:23 - "And they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the unholy, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean."

No comments:

Post a Comment