The Church Mouse: Taking the Lord’s Name in Vain
The Church Mouse: Taking the Lord’s Name in Vain
“You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.” – Exodus 20:7
Today I am thinking about three little words. They are words that have become very common these days. Hardly a day goes by that you do not to hear someone saying them – especially on TV or whenever someone is surprised, or if they are just overwhelmed, you just know they are going to say these three little words:
“Oh, my God”!
It is sorta funny how the some words can be good sometimes and bad other times. It all depends on how we are using them.
There is nothing wrong with the words ‘Oh’ and ‘my’. There is certainly nothing wrong with the word, “God”. We are supposed to be talking about God all the time to others (at least I hope you are talking about God in your daily life.)
So, what is the big deal you are say to yourselves about using,
“Oh, my God.”?
Well, first of all God, himself tells us what the big deal is. In Exodus God tells us not to use his name in a wrong way. It is one of the Ten Commandments. I am sure remember them?
Jesus even addressed this problem also. Remember the Lord’s Prayer? See how it starts out
“Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.”
You do know what “hallowed” means? It means Holy. In other words, God’s name is holy. So when we speak it; we should treat it with proper respect. Now, if I said to you.
“Oh my God, I love your new shoes!”
Would that be treating God’s name like it is holy? Certainly not!
We misuse Jesus’ name, all too often. Also we often hear someone who is angry or frustrated say the word “Jesus”, like it’s a swear word. That is certainly not treating His name holy!
Plus, we need to be careful how we use Jesus and God’s name because He is listening and it says in the Bible that we will be held accountable for our words. Not to mention, that small children hear us mis-using God’s name and they think it’s okay when it is not! We are setting a bad example for them and teaching them wrong. That is sin!
This is something we should certainly watching and praying be praying about. In the book of James it’s tells us that we must control our tongue.
Oh by the way saying and using “OMG” is the same thing, just in case you did not know.
Prayer—“Our Father, help us to remember that your name is special and holy. Help us to remember to never use your name in the wrong way. Help us to show others how to use your name in a respectful way. Help us to always be found speaking the words you want us to say and in the way you want us to say them. Help us Father to be careful of our speech at all times, so that we may be glorifying your name. We ask all this in Jesus’ precious and holy name. Amen.
the Church Mouse
Work hard; Pray harder.
