Swearing: Using God's Name In Vain

 

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 KJV)

"The Second Commandment.

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord, thy God, in vain.

What does this mean?-

-Answer.

We should fear and love God that we may not curse, swear, use witchcraft, lie, or deceive by His name, but call upon it in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks."

                                               (http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php)

I confess that every now and then my lips will release a word or maybe two or three that should not be spoken. I am very aware that I have sinned as soon as something slips out of my mouth that ought not to have.

It is troubling though, that so many do not even seem to recognize when they have taken God's name in vain. I know many love Him; but, for some reason they don't always recognize when they are speaking against Him. Sometimes, it needs to be brought to their attention.

Yes, sometimes I find myself asking others not to be swearing. No, I do not always ignore it when people take God's name in vain; when they blaspheme His Holy Name. I will ask them to please not take my God's name in vain; to not blaspheme against my God. I usually stress "my God" in attempts to make it clear that because of their language they have made it evident to me and others who might be around us that He is not their God; that they do not worship Him. If He were their God, they would not be using His name in such a manner and so very often.

There have been times when I've been in discussions (usually with younger people) and I've gotten responses like "OMG" or "Oh My G_ _!" (Father, forgive me for even writing it as an example.) My response to that is usually "I am not your God" and I walk away.

I find the language today atrocious. There is very little respect for one another and definitely not for God in many conversations. His name is thrown around like it was something cheap and disposable. It is even called upon when used to bully others; to persecute them.

I have also been known to use the phrase "speak with integrity" on rare occasions. Admittedly, the lies have to be pretty bad before I do that. Sometimes you have to let people know that if they want me others to understand what exactly is going on they will have to get their stories straight. Sometimes stories get so twisted, in order to justify one's own actions, that it can be difficult to glean the truth from the tale. This lack of truth-telling also blasphemes the Name of God when the one who is speaking claims to bear the name of Christ.

His Name is above all names and it is eternal. It ought not be used in rampages meant to hurt others or to justify our own sinful ways. It can and should be called upon for the healing of the nations. Use it wisely. 

May the Lord our God bless the words of our lips that we might glorify His Holy Name in all that we say and think and do.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Following Jesus To Death And To Life

And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again. (Matt 20:17-19 KJV)

Today, I am heading to my death. I'm going to walk right into the camp of those who want to kill me and you're coming with me. That's what Jesus told his disciples. And, they went. They followed him to Jerusalem. Only one, Judas, was not willing to participate as a possible victim. Once inside of Jerusalem, he went to the other camp. He regretted his actions and ended up in death before all of the others.

Sometimes, it is easier to take the other side. Sometimes, it might feel safer to ignore those who blaspheme the name of Jesus. Sometimes, we switch the subject and go another way instead of being willing to take up our cross and follow Jesus. 

But, is it really easier to go another way and stray from God's side? Is it really easier to lay down your cross and walk away? For the most part, the disciples did not see an option. They only knew that they wanted to follow their beloved Jesus. Yes, they all faltered at times in fear for their lives. But, in the end, all but one, picked their crosses back up and followed Jesus through the gateway of death into eternal life.

We all may get weary and afraid from time to time as we recognize that we might also become the persecuted. But, we must persevere in faithful witness to the life, death, and life of as we follow in the footsteps of Jesus.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Glorify His Name

“You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.  (Exodus 20:7 NIV)  

I confess that every now and then my lips will release a word or maybe two or three or even that should not be spoken. I am very aware that I have sinned as soon as something slips out of my mouth that ought not to have.

It is troubling; though, that it seems many do not even begin to recognize when they have taken God's name in vain. I know many love Him; but, for some reason they don't always recognize when they are speaking against Him. Sometimes, it needs to be brought to their attention.  

Yes, sometimes I find myself asking others not to be swearing. No, I do not always ignore it when people take God's name in vain; when they blaspheme His Holy Name. I will ask them to please not take my God's name in vain; to not blaspheme against my God. I usually stress "my God" in attempts to make it clear that they because of their language have made it evident to me and others who might be around us that He is not their God. They blaspheme Him; rather, than worship Him. If He were their God, they would not be using His name in such a manner.

There have been times I've been in discussions (usually with younger family members) and I've received the response with much attitude: OMG or Oh My God! (Father, forgive me for even writing it as an example.) My response to that is usually "I am not your God" and I walk away. 

I find the language today if often disrespectful toward God and toward each other. There is very little respect for one another and definitely not for God in many conversations. His name is thrown around like it was something cheap and disposable. It is even used in conversations to bully others; to persecute them.

Now and then I find myself reminding people that they are to "speak with integrity." Yes, that is when I question the honesty of their conversations. Admittedly, the lies have to be pretty bad before I do that. I have let people know that if they want me to understand what exactly is going on they will have to get their stories straight. Sometimes stories get so twisted, in order to justify one's own actions, that it can be difficult to glean the truth from the tales. This lack of truth-telling also blasphemes the Name of God when it is one who claims to bear the name of Christ that is speaking.

His Name is above all names and it is eternal. It ought not be used in rampages meant to hurt others or to justify our own sinful ways. It can and should be called upon for the healing of the nations. Use it wisely. May the Lord our God bless the words of our lips that we might glorify His Holy Name in all that we say and think and do.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Blasphemy Of The One God

Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”

“He is worthy of death,” they answered.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 (Matt 26:65-66 NIV)

Jesus stood before his accusers; his judges, for blasphemy. The penalty for blasphemy? Death! Although innocent, he was crucified on account of this false charge against him.

On daily basis, I hear and read blasphemous statements. Those blasphemous statements are statements that do not respect God. Statements that do not honor His name. It has become commonplace to take His name in vain. It is even popular in some circles to deny Him in attempts to bully others who do respect the Lord. There are those who think it is a joke to use His name as a vulgarity or deny him purposefully in front of those who truly believe. It is not a joke and it hurts no one but the one who would blaspheme His Holy Name.

Jesus was crucified in our place that we might be forgiven our sins. But, remember as you are disrespecting my God and your God (and I say that because there is only one God whether one accepts Him as their God or not) that Jesus said: "And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven." (Matt 12:31)

Be careful what you say. Be careful what you think. Give God the praise and honor due His name. There is, in fact, only one God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

No Swearing!

The Second Commandment.

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord, thy God, in vain.

What does this mean?--Answer.
We should fear and love God that we may not curse, swear, use witchcraft, lie, or deceive by His name, but call upon it in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks.

(http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php)

I confess that every now and then my lips will release a word or maybe two or three that should not be spoken. I am very aware that I have sinned as soon as something slips out of my mouth that ought not to have.

It is troubling; though, that it seems that there are so many who do not even recognize when they have taken God's name in vain. I am pretty sure that they love Him; but, for some reason they don't always recognize when they are speaking against Him. Sometimes, it needs to be brought to their attention.  

Yes, sometimes I find myself asking others not to be swearing. No, I do not always ignore it when people take God's name in vain; when they blaspheme His Holy Name. I will ask them to please not take my God's name in vain; to not blaspheme against my God. I usually stress "my God" in attempts to make it clear that because of their language they have made it evident to me and others who might have heard that He is not their God; that they do not worship Him. If He were their God, they would not be using His name in such a manner.

There have been times I've been in discussions (usually with younger family members) and I've gotten responses like OMG or Oh My God! (Father, forgive me for even writing it as an example.) My response to that is usually "I am not your God" and I walk away. To use this phrase so lightly or in anger or frustration with someone is to take God's holy name in vain.

I find the language today atrocious. There is very little respect for one another and definitely not for God in many conversations. His name is thrown around like it was something cheap and disposable. It is even used in conversations to bully others; to persecute them.

I have also been known to use the phrase "speak with integrity" on rare occasions. Admittedly, the lies have to be pretty bad before I do that. I have let people know that if they want me to understand what exactly is going on they will have to get their stories straight. Sometimes stories get so twisted, in order to justify one's own actions, that it can be difficult to glean the truth from the tale. This lack of truth-telling also blasphemes the Name of God when it is one who claims to bear the name of Christ that is speaking.

His Name is above all names and it is eternal. It ought not be used in rampages meant to hurt others or to justify our own sinful ways. It can and should be called upon for the healing of the nations. Use it wisely. May the Lord our God bless the words of our lips that we might glorify His Holy Name in all that we say and think and do.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Do Not Insult The Spirit Of Grace

Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three

witnesses. How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hebrews 10:28-31

It astounds me how anyone who knows about God would blaspheme His name with words too unimaginable to mention here. The Spirit of God is a Spirit of grace. God wants only good for all people. Yet, many will never accept Him; many will never get to know this Spirit of grace. They may know about Him; but, they refuse to get to know Him. 

Personally, I am really tired of hearing God's name taken in vain. I am really tired of hearing such horribly vulgar language. But, it doesn't matter that I am offended. It is a grave matter, though, to offend and fall into the hands of the living God. To use our Lord, Jesus the Christ's name in conjunction with such vulgarity is really asking for trouble to be brought upon one's self. Does no one really understand that it is not a good thing to blaspheme the Lord's name? It is a very dangerous thing! "You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name." Ex 20:7

Let us pray for all who would treat the Lord as nothing; even less than nothing.

God's Peace - Pr. J