“You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.” Exodus 20:7 (NIV)
Luis Cruz, GCF Durham
“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.” Exodus 20:7 (KJV)
The Strong Concordance record showed that “in vain” (לַשָּׁ֑וְא, laš·šāw) occurred 11 times in the Old Testament. The book of Jeremiah contains the most number of occurrences for this phrase – “in vain.” All of these occurrences mean either “empty or worthless”. There have been a number of reasons why the LORD prohibits His people from using His name in an empty or worthless manner.
1. God’s name reveals the totality of His Person.
Exodus 3:14, “God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.
2. God’s name reveals His purpose.
Acts 4:12, 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
3. God’s name reveals His power.
Romans 10:9-10, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
Application for daily Christian living:
1. Respect God’s name. Matthew 6:9 “Our Father in heaven, hollowed be your name.” To “hollow” means to give your utmost respect. Do not use His name in vain.
2. Glorify God’s name. Psalm 29:2 says, “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness.”
3. Call upon Jesus’ name. Talk to Him daily. Pray to Him because prayer simply means conversation with God. Before, you get out of your bed or before you pick up your phone, or before you check your emails and text messages, call upon Jesus so He may guide your day.