“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.” Exodus 20:7
Introduction
It is not uncommon in our culture to hear God’s name spoken regularly. On television shows, in songs played on the radio, and in our day-to-day interactions, we often hear his name used flippantly to convey awe, irritation, and even a curse. As Christians, many of us flinch when we hear friends, neighbors, or coworkers using God’s name in this way. Why does this bother us? And is this what it means to “take the Lord’s name in vain”?
God cares a great deal about his reputation. Verbalizing his name in the ways mentioned above is one way of misusing it. But we do this in other ways as well: making false or glib claims about him or his word, abusing the authority he has given us as his children, not speaking truth about God or giving him the reverence he deserves through our words and actions, etc. In doing these, we mar the truth and give others a wrong and often unfavorable view of God. We misrepresent the character of the God who created us, pursued us, died for us, and invites us into his family. These are greater implications than most of us think about when reading this commandment.
Observation
Read Deuteronomy 18:20, Leviticus 24:10–17, and Matthew 7:21–23
- What are the specific ways God’s name is used in vain in these verses?
- How seriously does God take misusing his name? What are the consequences he has set for those who do?
- According to these verses, who is expected to keep this command?
Interpretation
- Speaking untruthfully or flippantly about God is a form of using his name in vain, but it is only the beginning. We have the power to malign how others see him by claiming his name and acting in a way that is inconsistent with his character and his work in our lives.
- In addition to the ways mentioned above, how else do we misuse the name of the Lord through our words? Our actions?
- What are the implications of God’s name being misrepresented? What happens when false statements about God and his character are heard and believed?
- Why does God care so much about the protection of his reputation? (See Acts 4:7–12.)
- In light of this commandment, why is it so important to know God intimately, learning as much as we can about his character and ways?
Application
It’s easy to read these passages and think of “those people” who are guilty of misusing God’s name. Maybe you’ve been a member of a church where the pastor used God’s word to manipulate his congregation. Perhaps a friend has justified her habitual sin by telling you that God told her it was his will for her. While we often see this happen in big and obvious ways in and around us, we need to humbly search our own hearts for the ways that we are offenders.
- What are some ways that you have not protected the reputation of God in word and deed?
- Have you seen the consequences of someone getting a wrong impression of God’s character? What happened?
- According to the verses above, we should be put to death for misusing God’s name and maligning his character. Exodus 20:7 is very clear that we will not be held “guiltless.” If you are in Christ, what does this mean for you? (See Rom. 3:23–26; 10:1–4.) How does Christ’s work on your behalf enable you to obey this commandment?
- Through this great love of Christ, we have the ability to not only obey this command by not taking his name in vain, but also honoring him with our words. Read Romans 10:5–13. What does this section say about the positive effects our words about God can have on us?
- Continue in the passage and read Romans 10:14–17. In what ways does honoring God by speaking the truth about him have an effect on others?
For further reflection
Ask God to bring to mind anyone who may have been given a wrong impression of God’s character through your words or actions. Putting Romans 10 into action, knowing that you are not defined by this (remember, “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes”), how can you help correct the misconceptions and share with them the grace that you have been given?
