I received one of my most memorable presents for my ninth birthday – a navy blue cotton shirt, three-quarter length sleeves, with red trim around the collar. But the most special thing about it? My name – Jamie – was prominently displayed across the front in red-velvet block letters.
As a kid, I would comb the aisles of the convenience stores, the knick-knack stores, the trinket stores – always on the hunt for a token with my name on it. Somehow, I thought if my name was pre-printed on a purchasable item, that meant I had value in the world. Someone knew my name, and thought it was important enough to put on a keychain (that’s the mind of a 9-year old!). Well, I never found an item as the name “Jamie” was not very popular in the 1970s and was more commonly known as a male name (I am a female). So, my family had one created for me, my precious blue and red shirt that I wore proudly for as long as a I could…
Names matter. A name represents a person. When we’ve just met someone, and they call us by name, we immediately feel a closeness and respect towards that person. Isn’t Holy communion more personal when the broken body of Christ is offered to us by name? We have a strong personal attachment, a sense of ownership, over our name, and so we are also willing to defend it. Not only our own name, but of those we love too – would we let anyone degrade the name of our parents, our spouse, our children?
How about God’s name? Are we willing to defend it too?
Take a look at the third commandment:
You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. Exodus 20:7
Many people reference this verse using the King James vernacular “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain”. I struggle with the term “in vain” – what does that mean exactly? The other Bible translations give us clues; they use words like “misuse”, “of no significance”, and “curses or silly banter”. The online dictionary defines “in vain” like this: without success or a result; failing to achieve a purpose, in an irreverent or disrespectful manner. Synonyms to “in vain” include unsuccessfully, to no avail, to no purpose, fruitlessly, empty, insincere, frivolous.
Some people refer to this commandment as the “Do not curse” rule. But that is extremely oversimplifying the commandment, and not really representing the nature of this law. It’s about how we use His name specifically.
Are we using it flippantly? Do we throw it around in silliness, do we use his name as profanity? I think most of us can easily recognize that using the name of Jesus as profanity goes against this commandment. But what about when we use his name in more light-hearted conversation?
While researching about this commandment, I heard some references to “Christian cussing”. That’s saying things like “Good Lord!” and “Oh My God!” or “I swear to God!” as exclamations. These sayings have become overused and culturally acceptable expressions.
But if we go back to the definition of in vain – misuse, without purpose, disrespectful – then these expressions are also in vain, are they not?
This issue is waste. God’s name is powerful, and because God’s name is available to us, so is the power of that name. If we use it in vain, we have wasted it. How we use the Name of God sends a message to God and to others about who we believe Him to be, and reveals the state of our heart, of our faith.
- Using his name as profanity sends the message that we have an angry, spiteful God
- Using his name in silly banter sends the message that we have a comical, make-believe God
- Even the lack of using his name sends a message that there is no God, or that God is not a personal (after all the, the commandment doesn’t state “do not take the Name of God”, but to not take it in vain – so we are supposed to take his name).
His name should never be wasted – whether by profane or casual use, or by dreadful neglect.
As Christians, no matter if we are old or young, man or woman, a pastor or a stay home parent, a top executive, above all else we are walking testimonies to the power of Christ in us.
Our words and actions tell our testimony.
Although the ten commandments are written mostly as “do nots” (aka Negatives), many scholars and Christians interpret the positive element of the commandment. For example, a common phrase you hear a parent say to a child is “Don’t run!”. Some parenting tips suggest that rather than tell a child what not to do, tell them what to do. When you shout, “Don’t run!”, the child is likely to hear only the word Run. But instead if you say, “please walk!”, they child will hear the word Walk.
So, what is the positive way to state the Third Commandment? Scripture has hundreds of references to the “the name of the Lord” that can help us with this. If it’s difficult to grasp “do not take the Lord’s name in vain”, perhaps one of these scriptures will further our understanding of how to be obedient to this commandment:
- Psalm 113:2 Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forever more.
- Proverbs 18:10 The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
- Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
- Matthew 6:9 This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be thy name,”
God’s commanding us to be intentional in how his name is used. We are not to throw out his name carelessly, wastefully, or fruitlessly; rather, we are to use in it praise, in times of trouble and distress, with the same affection we use towards our spouses, our parents or our children.
- Using his name in praise sends the message that we have a worthy, compassionate, loving God.
- Using his name in times of distress sends the message that we have a powerful, mighty to save, faithful God.
We honor the Lord when we respect his Holy name. By treating God’s name with reverence, we nurture in our souls a reverence of God himself. Reverence is the feeling or attitude of deep respect tinged with awe.
Whenever we use His name (anyone of his names – God, Jesus, Father, Creator, Abba, Savior, Spirit), let’s do so with purpose, with intention. Let’s think about the context it’s being used, and the tone of our voice as we use it.
- Does our use of His name portray the Loving God we Believe in?
- Does our use of His name represent the amazing God we want to share with the World?
Gracious God,
Help me to honor your name in all things, even as I seek to honor you in all things. When I use your name – whether in prayer, in teaching, in writing or in ordinary conversation – may I always do so with reverence, respect, praise and intention.
Amen