The Book of Exodus introduces us to the Ten Commandments, including a commandment against misusing the name of the Lord our God (Exodus 20:7). The language I grew up learning was to “not take the Lord’s Name in vain” and that was translated to not using God’s name when swearing at the dog or anything else.
Only recently have I given more thought to what else that might mean. Or what it actually perhaps meant in the first place. We see throughout both the Old and New Testaments cautions and warnings about false prophets and teachers. People who claim God sent them or told them something when in fact He did not. People using their prestige or power or leadership position to advance a personal agenda, to inflame listeners, or to line their pockets by claiming God’s backing.
“God told me.”
And too often, they are believed. Too often I listen. I don’t step back and check back to the Source, to search the Scriptures to see if what is being said matches up with not just the words that are being cited but the context and the spiritual meaning as opposed to the temporal application. I need to watch out for how using God’s Name to back up a claim can advance me. Trying to mold God and His Word to my will and my agenda.
It doesn’t work that way. That use, that molding, I believe is exactly what it means to take God’s Name in vain, to misuse the Name of God. Little bit more than just not using God’s Name when I swear at the dog.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, Who does not change like the shifting shadows (James 1:17).
Just Sayin' 