Frivolously

 

Exodus 20:7 “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.”

I grew up with the Ten Commandments in both my home and school and they were not the “Ten Suggestions”, but understood to be the Law of Creator God to us to live out daily in obedience as children of God. I didn’t even come from a church-going family, yet was taught and raised with the truth of sin, death, Hell, but also the Word of God and the gospel of redemption and salvation in Jesus Christ. Nowadays, I wonder if the gospel truth is proclaimed as the foundation and healthy boundaries for life (now and for life eternal)? Where do you see or hear the Ten Commandments anymore? They need to be proclaimed, explained and obeyed for a God-honoring culture and society.

Deuteronomy 5:11 “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.”

In this little study that I’m reading through on the Ten Commandments, they state that as we look at how popular entertainment has changed over the past few decades, we see just how much commonly accepted standards have changed. Without God’s commandments, statutes, decrees and laws, lawlessness and ever-changing morals enjoy a near-universal presence. For one thing, our culture no longer takes the third commandment seriously. Yet, of all the Ten Commandments, only the third commandment adds the grave warning that God will not “hold guiltless” those who misuse His name.

Romans 1:32 “Who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.”

Obviously, God does not hold anyone guiltless who does not repent of their sin and trust in Christ, but the attachment of this warning shows that the Lord pays special attention to how His name is used. Our speech reveals the true state of our heart. Jesus says, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” People who are given to blasphemy frequently, thoughtlessly, and impenitently manifest hearts that have not been given over to the Lord. And those who do not trust in Christ for their salvation and submit to Him as Lord of their life have not been forgiven or justified, and those who have not been justified still bear the punishment for their guilt.

John 3:35-36 “The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.”

I had always heard that this commandment was about cursing using God’s or Jesus’ name as a swear word, but later learned that it meant using the Lord’s name lightly, taking it for granted, not with honor and reverence. This study explained that we can misuse the Lord’s name by cursing but also by using it frivolously, for something in vain is to do what is empty or useless. Also, first century Jews used God’s name frivolously in their Vows, believing that swearing by something other than His name made their vows negotiable. They thought falsely.

Psalm 86:12 “ I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify Your name forevermore.”

Even Christians are tempted to take the Lord’s name in vain by making promises or saying something like: “I swear to God I’m telling the truth.” In an ordinary conversation. May we rent if we ever take God’s name in vain and use it frivolously.

Glory be to God, Brian