Do Not Misuse God's Name

Exo 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.

Exo 20:7 Do not misuse my name. I am the LORD your God, and I will punish anyone who misuses my name. (CEV-Contemporary English Version)

God's name.

What's in a name?


NAME-
A primitive word (perhaps rather from H7760 through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare H8064); an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character: - + base, [in-] fame [-ous], name (-d), renown, report.

A MARK, or MEMORIAL of INDIVIDUALITY.
HONOR, AUTHORITY, CHARACTER.

A name represents a person- it is a MARK a MEMORIAL of INDIVIDUALITY.

When I say your name you want it said with respect, don't you? Seriously. When you say a person's name with derision you're dishonoring them. They ARE their name. We are our names. When we MISUSE someone's name we are in essence misusing that person. We are doing wrong against them. I cannot say your name and curse as I say it without it being offensive to you. Maybe you're thinking about now that people nowadays say derogatory things all the time but in a playful affectionate manner meaning no harm, and you know what, that is just another sign of our times. The LACK of RESPECT we have for each other is astounding, literally astounding! You might now say that it's not done out of a lack of respect, not at all, it's all in fun but you know what…when we can use a derogatory term and make it term of affection we are warping things, we are distorting things and as that is done there is a part of us that recognizes the offensive meaning and that part of us even subconsciously knows that the word being used is normally used disrespectfully.

People often believe that we take the Lord's name in vain just when we swear using it, but they don't believe it's in vain just to say His name in exasperation, or even during moments of pleasure. Watch television for a few nights and try to count the number of times God's name is said, and not said in prayer with reverence, with respect- it's horrendous! Watch a few movies and it's the same thing. Even movies that would otherwise would be wonderful are sullied by this shamefully accepted abuse of our Lord's name.

Is it WRONG of God to want our respect? NO! It goes hand in hand with God wanting us to have NO other gods before Him. It goes hand in hand with God not wanting us to worship idols. God should be first always in all things and when we MISUSE God's name we are NOT putting Him first, we are not respecting Him at all. When we misuse God's name we are dishonoring God Himself. Everything is in our names.

Why have people come to accept the callous misuse of God's name? Because of Satan. Satan loves when people dishonor God and stops at nothing to make it acceptable to do so. People barely blink an eye when God's name is misused it's a sad, sad world we live in. A sad, evil world we exist in and Satan would have us all believe the commandments of God are completely obsolete.

Should there ever come a time when it is okay to misuse God's name? Ever? NO!

This is one of God's ten commandments and it will NEVER be gone, never. Why do people think these commandments are breakable? Why do people think these commandments are something to set aside? Why do people believe that Jesus no longer wants us to keep these commandments? Can you ever imagine Jesus using His Father's name in vain, misusing His Father's name? No. He never would, never and we must never do so.

God forgive us please, forgive us for misusing Your name.

In Your love, through Your righteousness, by Your grace, forgiveness, and mercy always.


Amen.