Question: What exactly does the Bible commandment mean not to take God’s name “in vain”?
Answer: The third commandment that God gave to Moses to teach others was:
“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
“In vain” means misusing or using for the wrong reason. Bible commentators explain it as using the names, God, Lord, and Jesus Christ with no good purpose or effect. The sin includes both the frivolous use of God’s name – as people do when they are surprised or upset – and its wicked or deceitful use, like swearing or claiming God said something when He did not.
Are you in the habit of exclaiming God’s or the Lord’s name when you are not praying to Him or talking to others about how great He is? People get into habits of saying foolish words but can certainly change – and must! This error is quite serious, the using of God’s name in the wrong way. See what the word of God shows us about the immense importance and ultimate authority of His name:
“Therefore, God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11
Knowing from these verses about the enormous impact of saying “Jesus!” or “O Lordy,” you can now see that this not only sounds downright silly but is an offense against God. That the “Lord will not hold him guiltless” means that you must repent when you misuse the name of the one who is “The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.” Read this astounding account recorded by the apostle John of what is ahead for us as believers in heaven:
“Now I saw heaven opening, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called ‘the Word of God.’ And the armies in heaven clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on his thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” Revelation 19:11-16
There has never been another name like His name in all of history, and there never will be!
“O LORD, our Lord, how excellent and majestic is Your name in all the earth, who have set Your glory above the heavens!” Psalm 8:1
The Bible tells us much about the power of Jesus’ name:
- Demons cast out in Jesus’ name. Mark 16:17-18
- Healing of illness in Jesus’ name. Acts 3:6, 3:16, 4:10
- Salvation in Jesus’ name. Romans 10:13
- Baptized into new life in Jesus’ name. Matthew 28:19
- People justified before God in Jesus’ name. I Corinthians 6:11
“And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:17
Realize that any offensive words you utter are worthless to God and even lead others astray. If you are a parent or grandparent, you already know that children and grandchildren will pick up both your good AND bad habits. If you tend to exclaim “O my God!” when you are not praying, yet you desire to begin to please God and honor Him with your speech, ask Him to help you develop better practices for the future. Ask Him for forgiveness and for help.
He WILL forgive you and deliver His life-transforming help when you ask!
Jesus said, “If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” John 14:14
“I will praise you , O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works…I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.” Psalm 9:1-2
