Honoring God

"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

Factoid: The Hebrew manuscripts have the Hebrew word הוהי which is transliterated YHWH and pronounced Yahweh. Most English Bibles do not translate the Hebrew word “Yahweh” correctly. The translators decided to follow the Jewish tradition and not use God’s proper name. They replaced it with the word “LORD.” Jehovah is a "Latinized" version of Yahweh. Jews are careful not to pronounce G‑d’s names except when reading the Torah or prayers. (In other words in daily conversation) Their caution is founded on an understanding of the third of the Ten Commandments, “You shall not take His name in vain.” Although this verse is classically interpreted as referring to a senseless oath using G‑d’s name, the avoidance of saying G‑d’s name extends to all expressions, except prayer and Torah study. (They don't even write the full name but abbreviate it.) That is not legalism - it is reverence and respect.) To do otherwise would be sort of like addressing Queen Elizabeth as Lizzy.

So - back to the basics. To use God's name in vain means to belittle Him. Taking is name in vain is  referring to God in a flippant way. The God who saved us and gave us eternal life. The God who reigns over the universe. The God that we are to love with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength. That God.  God said don't do it. It shows disrespect to the One who has authority over everything - acting as though He is nothing.  Have you ever heard someone call Him the "man upstairs"? That is not said with respect - most often given the people who have said it - it was said in ignorance. I doubt that they know him as Abba - Father.

"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." - Matthew 10:28

Have you seen the Ron Regan (President Regan's son) commercial promoting the Freedom from Religion Foundation? He is a self-professed atheist. He is putting a call out to atheists and agnostics in this country to separate church and State. (that is another story). At the end of the commercial he says that he is "not afraid of going to hell".  That is on national television.  He mocks God, the Bible, and Christians.

Do you understand? The people who show disrespect toward God don't have a clue or worse yet, they are fools.  There will come a day when we all stand before God - the One who is able to destroy both the soul and and in hell! 

You cannot watch television or movies or read anything where with God the Father or Jesus the Son are used as expletives - as profanity.  If you don't see it or hear it, it is because you have become blind and your heart has been hardened by the world.  I remember when our children had a friend come to the house.  They were watching a video - I don't remember what it was. Suddenly the little girl visiting gasped. It stopped me in my tracks. She was part of Christian family. I stopped the tape, backed it up and listened to it.  They had used the Lord's name in vain - causing that little innocent to gasp in disbelief.  I had failed to protect her from the world, even though she was in a Christian home. The only reason her parents allowed her to come to our house. 

I was in the military and heard profanity used constantly. Although the Lord had deleted from my vocabulary, I had become hardened to it so I didn't hear it anymore.  That moment in our home made an indelible impression on me.  I could not undo what happened.

So what is my point. We must be careful that we don't accommodate our culture. Pretending that it isn't all that bad - or even pretend like we didn't hear it. It is that bad and we do hear it.  Recognize it for what it is. The unsaved can't help themselves - it is in their DNA to sin - to dishonor God. Not so with us, my Brothers and Sisters. Not so with us. 

"Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm. For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the Lord, They shall inherit the earth." - Psalm 37:5-9

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone