Taking the Lord's Name in Vain!

Taking the Lord's Name in Vain!

"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).

As the second commandment concerns the manner in which God is to be worshiped (namely, according to His revealed will), so this third commandment one bids us worship Him with that frame of heart which is agreeable to the dignity and solemnity of such an exercise and the majesty of Him with whom we have to do: that is, with the utmost sincerity, humility and reverence. "Fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD YOUR GOD" (Deuteronomy 28:58).

O, what high thoughts we ought to entertain of such a Being! In what holy awe should we stand sacred by us. Whatever we think and whatever we say of Him, should savor of His excellency, correspond to the sacred sublimity of His name, and  tend to the exaltation of His magnificence."

Let us first endeavor to point out the scope and comprehensiveness of this commandment. By the NAME of the Lord our God, is signified God Himself as He is made known to us, including everything through which He has been pleased to reveal Himself. His Word, His titles, His attributes, His ordinances, His works. The Name of God stands for His very nature and being, as in Psalm 20:1; 135:3; John 1:12 etc. Sometimes the Name of God is taken for the entire system of Divine Truth: "We will walk in the Name of the Lord our God" (Micah 4:5). That is, in that way of Truth and worship which He has appointed. "I have manifested Your Name unto the men You gave Me" (John 17:6. That is, I have instructed them in the Heavenly doctrine.

But usually, and more specifically, the Name of God refers to that by which He is called and made known to us. To "take His Name" means to employ or make use of the same, as the Object of our thoughts or the subject of our speech. Not to take His Name "in vain" is the negative way of saying it must be held in the utmost awe and used holily in thought and word and deed.

It will thus be seen, that this Commandment requires us to make mention of the Name of God. Since He has given us so many and gracious discoveries of Himself, it would evince the vilest contempt of the greatest of privileges, if we expressed no regard to those discoveries and made no use of the same. Those who make no religious profession and desire not to be instructed in those things which relate to the Divine glory, are guilty of thus slighting the Most High. But we make use of God's Name in public worship, in private prayer, and when taking religious oaths or making solemn vows.

When we draw near to God in prayer, we should adore the Divine perfections with a befitting humility, as did Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Solomon, Hezekiah, Daniel, and the inhabitants of Heaven.

Negatively, this Commandment prohibits all dishonoring thoughts of God, all needless, flippant, profane or blasphemous mention of Him, any irreverent use of His Word, any murmurings against His Providence, and abuse of anything by which He has made Himself known.

Let us now point out more specifically some of the ways in which God's Name may be taken in vain.

First, when it is used without considering a proper end. And there are but two ends which can warrant our use of any of His names, titles, or attributes: His glory and the edification of ourselves and others. Whatever is besides these is frivolous and evil, affording no sufficient ground for us to make mention of such a great and holy Name, which is so full of glory and majesty.

Unless our speech is designedly directed to the advancement of the Divine glory or the promotion of the benefit of those to whom we speak - we are not justified in having God's ineffable Name upon our lips. He accounts Himself highly insulted when we mention His name to idle purpose.

God's Name is taken in vain by us, when we use it without due consideration and reverence. Whensoever we make mention of Him before whom the seraphim veil their faces - we ought seriously and solemnly to ponder His infinite majesty and glory, and bow our hearts to deepest prostration before that Name. Those who think and speak of the great God promiscuously and at random - how can they use His Name with reverence when all the rest of their discourse is filled with froth and vanity? God's Name is not to be sported with and tossed to and fro upon every light tongue.

O my reader, form the habit of solemnly considering whose Name it is you are about to utter, that it is the Name of Him who is present with you, hearing you pronounce it, who is jealous of His honor, and who will dreadfully avenge Himself upon those who have slighted Him!

God's Name is used in vain when it is employed hypocritically, when we profess to be His people and are not. Israel of old was guilty of this sin. "Hear this, O house of Jacob, who are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swore by the name of the Lord, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness" (Isaiah 48:1). That is, they used the Name of God but did not obey the revelation contained therein, and so violated this Third Commandment: compare Matthew 7:22-23).

When using the Name of God, we must do so in a way which is true to its meaning and to its implications, otherwise He says to us, "Why do you call Me, Lord, Lord - and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46).

~A. W. Pink~

(continued with # 2)