Exodus 20:7
~3 min read
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. (Exodus 20:7)
People are identified by their names. It is extremely important that we must not jest, make fun or misrepresent anyone’s name. Nobody likes to be identified with a name that does not reflect him or her. How much more the Almighty God who is the Creator of the heavens and the earth? Using God’s name in vain is a great sin because it is a direct attack on His honour and glory.
What are some of the ways in which Christians can fall into the sin of taking the name of God in vain?
- Using God’s name as a cursing or swearing word to show our frustrations, or join others when they are doing it.
- Using God’s name as a kind of exclamation point.
- Using God’s name for our sinful and selfish purposes, like falsely telling someone, “The Lord told me to do this or to do that.” It is both a lie and an abuse of His name.
- As believers we bear the very name of Christ (we are called Christians), yet we continue to live in sin.
What are some of the ways in which Christians can honour God’s name?
- Bearing a good testimony for the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Singing hymns and praises to glorify His name.
- Acknowledging God in our lives by saying, “Thank God,” and “Praise the Lord!”
- We can honour God’s name in evangelism, worship, fellowship and every activity of our life.
Dear children, if we have used God’s name in vain in the past, we must repent and ask God to forgive us. Let us continue to give glory and honour to the only wise God, whom the Bible says, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory (Isaiah 6:3).
In Christ,
Pastor Paul Cheng
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