How does one take God’s name in vain?

When I was a kid, I thought that if I didn’t curse, I wouldn’t be breaking the third commandment, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.”  As I have studied scripture and gotten to know God better, I realize that keeping this command is impossible.

Yes, we should always avoid using God’s name in a casual, disrespectful, or profane manner. And, yes, we should always speak God’s name with reverence and respect. Some suggest we should not swear oaths or make promises in God’s name because keeping those vows or affirmations may prove to be challenging.

Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned. James 5:12

A much bigger issue is living a life that reflects God’s character. If we say we are a child of God, then failure to live a life the honors God is taking the name of the Lord in vain. How can one be a follower of Jesus and live a life that contradicts His teachings? Aligning our actions, the words we speak and even the thoughts we think with God’s revealed word will help us avoid maligning the name of God.

“I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:36-37

As Christians we are called to be authentic and to avoid hypocrisy. We should, at all times, practice what we preach and not use God’s name to justify ungodly behavior. Have I used public prayer to engage in “righteous” gossip? Have I quoted scripture out of context to justify my actions? Have I judged another’s behavior without knowing all the facts?

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” Matthew 7:21-23

Jesus was God incarnate. He showed us how to live. He set an impossibly high standard and knew that we could never keep the third or any of the other ten commandments. The law reveals our sinful nature and all of us deserve judgment and death for failing to live a sin-free life.

Lent is a time when Christians reflect on our shortcomings and are reminded that Jesus paid the penalty for our sinful lives when he died on a Roman cross. On Easter we celebrate his resurrection and the promise that we too will be raised from the dead to live eternally with Him where never again will we take the name of the Lord in vain.

If you do not have the assurance that you will be joining Jesus in heaven for an eternity of infinite joy free of suffering, pain, guilt and shame, then consider becoming a Christian. To learn more, please read our post:  How Can I Become a Christian?

The Ten Commandments

And God spoke all these words:

² “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

³ “You shall have no other gods before me.

⁴ “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. ⁵ You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, ⁶ but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

⁷ “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

⁸ “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. ⁹ Six days you shall labor and do all your work, ¹⁰ but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. ¹¹ For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

¹² “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

¹³ “You shall not murder.

¹⁴ “You shall not commit adultery.

¹⁵ “You shall not steal.

¹⁶ “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

¹⁷ “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”