Taking GODS name in vain

[brianbinsc]

Exodus 20:7 "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain."

It has always troubled me that this verse so often gets applied to a curse word. Don't get me wrong, I cringe and wince, and my heart drops every time I hear someone use my Precious LORDS' Name in an unworthy, and downright dispicable way, including the flippant ways HIS name is spoken. This is definately applicable.

That said, I believe that there is a real application, and definate warning to those who carelessly claim to be a "christian" and yet live in a manner that is in opposition to HIS word. We have liberty in CHRIST, and I do not have a set of rules for you to follow, but if it looks like the world, and sounds like the world.......

Am I alone in feeling this way? Am I reading into the Passage?
Thoughts?

[Kliska]

There's a lot of discussion on this; I would just add that it also includes someone attaching God's name to something that did not legitimately come from Him; false prophets, in other words, often would act as though they had a revelation from God, attach His name to it falsely in trying to manipulate others.

Also, in the same vein, we shouldn't use God to affirm a lie; "I swear to God...." and then follow it with a falsehood.

[brianbinsc]

There's a lot of discussion on this; I would just add that it also includes someone attaching God's name to something that did not legitimately come from Him; false prophets, in other words, often would act as though they had a revelation from God, attach His name to it falsely in trying to manipulate others.

Thanks for the response Kliska....more and more I have seen this happening in the political arena!

Also, in the same vein, we shouldn't use God to affirm a lie; "I swear to God...." and then follow it with a falsehood.

Thanks for the reminder about false oath taking, I forgot that one!

[JoyJoyJoy]

I love decorating shows. One thing that gets my goat is when the owners walk in and say "OOOoohhhhh MYyy G----!!!!"


My SS teacher reminds us from time to time to be very careful about that commandment. She says we must refrain from saying "oh my gosh" as well. I agree.


I must say however, I am guilty of doing it. Thank God for forgiveness.

[Verisimilitude]

Exodus 20:7 "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain."

It has always troubled me that this verse so often gets applied to a curse word. Don't get me wrong, I cringe and wince, and my heart drops every time I hear someone use my Precious LORDS' Name in an unworthy, and downright dispicable way, including the flippant ways HIS name is spoken. This is definately applicable.

That said, I believe that there is a real application, and definate warning to those who carelessly claim to be a "christian" and yet live in a manner that is in opposition to HIS word. We have liberty in CHRIST, and I do not have a set of rules for you to follow, but if it looks like the world, and sounds like the world.......

Am I alone in feeling this way? Am I reading into the Passage?
Thoughts?

I think you have marvellous understanding of the passage. This along with keeping any promises that you have sworn to god are what I believe this commandment to mean. Isn't it unusual how people who don't know Him or Jesus bandy Their Holy Names about freely? You hear all the time GD this and JC that. These same people may in anger say things like "I swear to God I'll get even with you".

Is there a greater vanity than using the Name of the Most High God in taking an oath, when you don't even believe He exists?

[Raphael]

Trivializations:

"For the love of ____!"
"In____'s name, why...?"
"For ____'s sake!"

etc.

[brianbinsc]

My SS teacher reminds us from time to time to be very careful about that commandment. She says we must refrain from saying "oh my gosh" as well. I agree.

I often remind my children (as well as myself), that its not only "what" you say, but also "how" and "why" you say it. Just because we change the word doesn't mean we change the meaning!

I must say however, I am guilty of doing it. Thank God for forgiveness.

Amen!

Isn't it unusual how people who don't know Him or Jesus bandy Their Holy Names about freely? You hear all the time GD this and JC that. These same people may in anger say things like "I swear to God I'll get even with you".


Is there a greater vanity than using the Name of the Most High God in taking an oath, when you don't even believe He exists?

I agree...reminds me of Romans 3:18

[iSong6:3]

Brian - I get what you mean. I heard a sermon once that said the commandment meant only "not bearing the Lord's Name in vain", as in we as Christians not living a right life before Him though we carry His Name. I think it's clear it means more than that.

This may be close to what you're saying - I agree - both meanings are certainly wrong to do:

Wesley's Notes

20:7 The third commandment is concerning the manner of our worship; Where we have, [1.] A strict prohibition. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain - Supposing that, having taken Jehovah for their God, they would make mention of his name, this command gives a caution not to mention it in vain, and it is still as needful as ever. We take God's name in vain, First, By hypocrisy, making profession of God's name, but not living up to that profession. Secondly, By covenant breaking. If we make promises to God, and perform not to the Lord our vows, we take his name in vain. Thirdly, By rash swearing, mentioning the name of God, or any of his attributes, in the form of an oath, without any just occasion for it, but to no purpose, or to no good purpose. Fourthly, By false - swearing, which some think is chiefly intended in the letter of the commandment. Fifthly, By using the name of God lightly and carelessly. The profanation of the form of devotion is forbidden, as well as the profanation of the forms of swearing; as also, the profanation of any of those things whereby God makes himself known. For the Lord will not hold him guiltless - Magistrates that punish other offences, may not think themselves concerned to take notice of this; but God, who is jealous for his honour, will not connive at it. The sinner may perhaps hold himself guiltless, and think there is no harm in it; to obviate which suggestion, the threatening is thus expressed, God will not hold him guiltless - But more is implied, that God will himself be the avenger of those that take his name in vain; and they will find it a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. http://bible.cc/exodus/20-7.htm

[Evoo327]

This is a fantastic thread! I have nothing else to add, but just to say that the "oh my gosh!" thing really hit me hard. I say that all the time, and started using it when I got saved in order to change my habit of saying "Oh my G__!"


But that point really stood out to me about it..... I'm going to be refraining from that, now. Thanks guys!

[brianbinsc]

Brian - I get what you mean. I heard a sermon once that said the commandment meant only "not bearing the Lord's Name in vain", as in we as Christians not living a right life before Him though we carry His Name. I think it's clear it means more than that.

This may be close to what you're saying - I agree - both meanings are certainly wrong to do:

Wesley's Notes

20:7 The third commandment is concerning the manner of our worship; Where we have, [1.] A strict prohibition. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain - Supposing that, having taken Jehovah for their God, they would make mention of his name, this command gives a caution not to mention it in vain, and it is still as needful as ever. We take God's name in vain, First, By hypocrisy, making profession of God's name, but not living up to that profession. Secondly, By covenant breaking. If we make promises to God, and perform not to the Lord our vows, we take his name in vain. Thirdly, By rash swearing, mentioning the name of God, or any of his attributes, in the form of an oath, without any just occasion for it, but to no purpose, or to no good purpose. Fourthly, By false - swearing, which some think is chiefly intended in the letter of the commandment. Fifthly, By using the name of God lightly and carelessly. The profanation of the form of devotion is forbidden, as well as the profanation of the forms of swearing; as also, the profanation of any of those things whereby God makes himself known. For the Lord will not hold him guiltless - Magistrates that punish other offences, may not think themselves concerned to take notice of this; but God, who is jealous for his honour, will not connive at it. The sinner may perhaps hold himself guiltless, and think there is no harm in it; to obviate which suggestion, the threatening is thus expressed, God will not hold him guiltless - But more is implied, that God will himself be the avenger of those that take his name in vain; and they will find it a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. http://bible.cc/exodus/20-7.htm

Thank you iSong6:3! This says exactly what my convictions were! Are Wesley's notes available online?

[iSong6:3]

Thank you iSong6:3! This says exactly what my convictions were! Are Wesley's notes available online?

Hmm, the link isn't working, sorry about that. I love Wesley on many things. You'll have to go to http://bible.cc and type in Exodus 20:7, then scroll down a bit to find Wesley's notes. There are other good ones too.

[JoyJoyJoy]

Never realized all that. Great post.

[brianbinsc]

Hmm, the link isn't working, sorry about that. I love Wesley on many things. You'll have to go to http://bible.cc and type in Exodus 20:7, then scroll down a bit to find Wesley's notes. There are other good ones too.

Wow! Thanks for the link, I will use this tool alot! I usually use the blueletterbible.org, but this seems to be a little easier to navigate through! Not to mention it has Wesley's AND Mathew Henry's notes!

[dleader]

I had to hear it a lot when I lived in southern New Mexico. They said "By G-d" a lot. Apparently it was from the Oklahoma and West Texas influence that was in that area. Specifically from oil field country.

[BPN03]

College aged kids say it a LOT! I had trouble with it when I first got saved because it was very common place in my vernacular. I was able to stop saying it mostly and now whenever I'm about to say it I say "oh my gosh". I genuinely thought that was better, but I can see the argument. I'm going to have to work on eliminating that from my vocab. The process of sanctification is never ending.

[IamPJ]

I love decorating shows. One thing that gets my goat is when the owners walk in and say "OOOoohhhhh MYyy G----!!!!"


My SS teacher reminds us from time to time to be very careful about that commandment. She says we must refrain from saying "oh my gosh" as well. I agree.

I hate hearing people say that also. I have a friend who says it alot and I've mentioned it to her before, but she still says it. My mother taught us to never say things like that.

[TheRedeemed]

I am not offended by very much in this very ugly secular world, but I cannot ignore someone saying J**** C***** when they are not actually calling upon his name.

It makes my blood boil and in my time I have reprimanded close family members for it never mind associates and colleagues.

[WarriorOfGod]

You are not the only one cuz I wince and cringe too when someone use my Saviour's name in vain. I hate hearing them saying J.... F.... C... and this offends me GREATLY. Jesus love the world so much that He was willing to die for them yet they use His name as a curse word.....