Vain Words

 

My mouth is filled with your praise and with your glory all the day. Psalm 71:8

It’s always interesting to see how the pendulum swings from far right to far left on almost any issue, and then we experience varying degrees as it swings back again. This would seem to be the case for the way God’s people have dealt with the third commandment. It is found in Exodus 20:7 and says, “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.”

I have written about this before in a post called “Reliable Source.”  I got a comment/question on that post regarding what it means to take the Lord’s name in vain. The gist of it was this line, “I still find myself saying OMG and other things unaware. I need a line in the sand to retrain my mouth!”

Apparently the Israelites also wanted this line in the sand. In Moses’ day to take an oath falsely in the name of God was a sin against His name but also against HIM, the person of God. As time passed, and the pendulum started to swing, this commandment began to include any thoughtless or empty use of the name of God, Yahweh. Because of this the Israelites decided that it would be better not to use His name at all, thus staying completely out of trouble. It became known as the ineffable name because people were forbidden to say it. It was considered sin to utter it, even in the synagogue.

When you look at the whole command this is easy to understand. The New American Standard Bible translates the second part of the verse this way: ” the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.” It was wise not to want to fall under the punishment of God.

Today, it would appear that the pendulum has swung completely the other way. In American culture the name of God is used and abused regularly. The men of Moses’ day may have been overly legalistic about the name of God but we are way to liberal with the way we use it and approve of its use.

The phrase “in vain” means “fruitlessly or profanely” according to the Webster’s New World dictionary. As Christians we understand “fruit” as what we produce for God. If we use His name in a way that does not point anyone to some character trait of God, then it’s fruitless. In the New International Version of the Bible the command says, “misuses the name of the Lord.” Misuses seem obvious enough – to use the Name improperly.

In recent years it seems like every new movie takes the name of God or Jesus and uses it as a swear word. I am positive that this is fruitless, profane, and improper because unbelievers watching are not being pointed to the glory of God. Why would we ever want to curse with God’s name? He is not glorified in that and He is jealous for His glory (Acts 12:23).

God’s glory is where we should stop the pendulum as believers. Does God receive glory when I use His name though I am not speaking to Him or really even about Him? If His name is unconsciously coming from my lips am I honoring His Name? If I see an old friend or cut my hand and let out a loud “OMG” but all I’m really thinking about is the face of my friend or the blood running down my arm, did God receive any glory? Is my friend seeing God? Am I really calling on God? If so, I won’t be concerned.

For me there is a line in the sand, our pendulums should be steady, straight up and down on this issue. If I am not consciously praying to God or praising His name – and I use His name – then I have used it in vain and owe Him an apology.