“Thou shalt not take the [N]ame of the LORD thy God in vain ; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh [H]is [N]ame in vain.”

 

Reader,
This article will take up (DV) the very serious issue of the Lord’s Name. We recently attended a church service. In this church service there was zero (0) preaching or teaching.  The service was used to plug small groups. In the commercial the small group leaders spoke about their small group meetings. They tried to be light, cool, and funny. Then they said something questionable but covered it up with, “In Jesus Name” and they laughed…Ha! Ha! Ha!
We heard a Christ-ian comedian also using the words, “In Jesus Name” to make her audience to laugh.  Reader, this is taking the LORD’s Name in Vain!!!…by Christ-ians!!!  These persons know not what they are saying or doing. These persons are bordering upon blasphemy…I do not doubt their salvation and that makes everything worse.

The Name of our Lord Jesus is a Holy Name.  I know not how parents would name their child, Jesus.  I understand that Jesus was a common name in Christ’s time, but after the resurrection of Christ, that Holy Name is retired. How parents, today, can name their child, Jesus is unknown to me. I understand, in Mexican culture many children are named Jesus, pronounced, Hay-zues, but taking the Name of God’s Son?… this I cannot understand.

The Name of our Lord should be used or invoked only in these ways:
*Prayer
*Preaching/Teaching
*Sharing the Gospel Message
*Singing and Worship
*Exorcisms
*Discussing Scripture with another believer

Other than the above occasions, our Lord’s Name should not be used. To use His Name in cursing or joking is most unacceptable and dangerous.  “Jesus is my homey” t-shirts are an affront to God.  “Jesus loves you but everyone else thinks you are an ,,,,,,,,” is taking God’s Son’s Name in vain.  When using the Name of our Lord; the Name of our Lord should promote goodness and grace and truth and never in jest.

We were in a book store and a known customer came in and began to talk with the store’s clerk.  He was telling her about a storm damaging his property. He went on and on and on about how bad everything is.  The store’s clerk responded with “Jesus Christ” fifteen times (15)…I counted them.  My ears were about to bleed if she did not shut up!!!

I left the store in frustration with this person’s cursing with our Lord’s Name.  This incident stuck with me for a week.  We went back to this book store, which by the way, is about forty minutes (40) from my home and approached the clerk and reminded her of her cursing in our Lord’s Name.  I said to her……
“Miss, this is going to come from left field. Last week you were talking with a customer about his storm damage, and you used the Lord’s Name fifteen times (15).  This will get you into much trouble.”  She graciously accepted the rebuke and warning but she didn’t understand.  She conceded that speaking like that is not professional and she would be more careful in the future.  She thought I was saying she would get in trouble with her customers.  She didn’t get it.  I clarified with her that I’m speaking about trouble with God.  At that she simply said thank you and all was done. They know not what they say or do.

Reader, His Name is Holy and Powerful.  We are allowed to use it in the proper circumstances, but other than the proper circumstances that Name should not be used.

Godspeed.