This is the second article on “How Every Christian Ought to Live.” We are making our way through the Ten Commandments and we are finding out just how central they are to a life pleasing to God. In Exodus 20:7, we find that the Lord tells us that we are not to use His name in vain. God is extremely jealous of His Name. He does not want anyone using it in ways for which it was not intended. His Name is not to be taken lightly and we are very guilty of that in this day and time especially.
God’s Name is holy. That means that it is set apart. It is not a common name and certainly it should not be used in “common” ways. God knew that people would blaspheme His name. He knew that those who love him will hallow His name but those who are against Him would use it in ways in which it was not intended to be used. In today’s world, it is common to hear God’s name us as a curse word. It is also used very flippantly as if one is referring to a neighbor or other person they may know. They use it as an exclamation…”Oh my God!” they will say when something surprises them in some way. It is used as a curse word and this is one of the most vile ways in which people employ it today. Suppose someone violates your personal name by using it in a derogatory way. But it seems that people think God is not offended at all. Just let me say that one is “playing with fire” if they do such a thing. Also, how can unsaved people have any respect for God if His own People misuse and abuse His name?
God’s name should only be used in the proper way. Listen to what He says on the issue. In Exodus 20:7, God says: “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that takes His name in vain.” Now, I ask you…is that a very specific statement or not? I think it is unarguably a very specific statement and I warn people when I tell them that God is very serious about it. Just listen to television and enumerate the number of times you will hear some actor exclaim, “oh my God”…or they will use him name with a curse word following it. My wife and I have a rule. When we are watching a program on television which we may be enjoying a lot, and someone uses God’s name in vain, especially when they put the curse word after it, we immediately turn the channel. We will not watch a movie or program which will use His name is such a careless and insulting way no matter how much we are enjoying the presentation.
If one would like to get an idea of just how serious God is about the use of His name, it would do them good to read a book like Ezekiel. Over and over a multitude of times, God talks about His Holy Name. He warns the people about its use and He refers to it as “My Holy Name” many, many times throughout the book of Ezekiel. And, that’s just one book of the Bible. Everywhere one looks they will find that God’s name is Holy and should not be used in flippant and sinful ways.
You see, God’s personhood is bound up in His name. It defines who He is. It sets the standard for any reference to Him. When one uses God’s name in a flippant way, they are sinning against the Most High God. Everything about Him is holy. His holiness is His nature. He did not just decide one day to be holy. He IS holy and His name is holy because He is holy. When His name is violated by a person, that person is actually violating and insulting God Himself and it is something that He takes very personally. One should not insult the God of all creation. He created every person and He does not give them the right to violate His name. They will pay a terrible price for doing so. It is a price that they do not want to pay for the flippant and insulting ways in which they use His name.
He is honored when we, most reverently and humbly, call on Him for help or use His name in worship. We use His name in worship and that pleases Him as we come to the creator of the universe lifting up His name. If people could ever get a glimpse of just how holy God is, it would change the way in which they relate to Him and it would alter the way in which many, many churches are conducting worship today. God is Holy! God is separate! He is above all things! Nothing about God can be taken for granted especially His Name!
So, when we ask; “What Is In a Name?” we must realize that where God is concerned, EVERYTHING in in His Name! Honor it. Worship His name! Exalt His name! Revere His Name! Protect His Name! and you will always be able to Rely upon His Name.
Praise His Name.
The Rev. Billy Harrell is a retired Southern Baptist pastor who served at Abilene Baptist Church. He is a faith columnist for the Augusta Press.
