Using the Lords name in vain

I say nothing about it, but often, I will give it a few
moments, then find a way to begin to talk to them
about the Lord. They will usually listen, and I have
rarely had them use the same language afterward
without apology.

I don't think it does any good to reprimand unless
the language is particularly obnoxious and
persistent. In such cases, I will ask them some
pertinent question regarding what they are saying.
This has always been taken well in my experience.

Most people who know me will not talk that way
in front of me, or if there is a slip of the tongue, they
usually apologize.

I think we are more effective using a sweet spirit
than we are if we show anger. When we react
rather than respond, are we not, as they, taking
His name in vain when we claim to be His yet we
display behavior other than that He prescribes?
I have seen this done.

Also, while many people do swear using the name
of "Jesus," those who say "god" or "lord"' are not
using His name, because these are not His name,
and in our society, there are many gods and lords.
Perhaps I am playing wih semantics, but many
who use such language are, indeed, not even
thinking of our God or our Lord. I do, however,
find it interesting when believers use the same
words as expletives that they use in prayer.

 

Strictly speaking the prohibition of the 3rd commandment in Exod. 20 has to do with the sacred and personal name of Israel's Elohim, which is YHWH. The English versions render Jehovah, according to the vowel system of the Masoretic text. But I think application-wise it also prohibits taking the name JESUS in vain, because this holy name contains in it the former sacred covenant name of the God of Israel. I would also include "Lord God" and maybe a few other variations of divine names/titles. Both the Finnish speaking and the Swedish speaking folks of my country use a curse expression which literally translated into English looks as follows - "O Lord God". It does not look bad perhaps to an English speaking person, but to one who hears it almost each day it is nothing but a curse word, because it is not used reverently, but when someone gets upset or angry. I think this is a breaking of the 3rd commandment.

Harald

 

Abiyah, I agree with your rresponse to the use of such language. Our goal is to win them not straighten them out. However, I do think you are playing with semantics a little. There may technically be many gods and lords in our society but, you know as well as I do that 99.999% of the time they are referring to the one true God and most of the time it is disrespectfully. Saying "God" (together with various other words) is not "in vain" because they meant it. It is disrespectful, rude, mean, wrong, sacreligious, etc., but not in vain. I know Hid name is YHWH, but I don't know too many people who use that in vain (none). Using God's name in vain is using it for no purpose, for nothing, offhandedly. I have heard many people say things like, "Lord have mercy", "for God's sake", "oh, God", and such. They tell me they don't mean it. I tell them that THAT is the command, to not use His name for NOTHING (vain), don't use it when you don't mean it. I have heard many Christians, church memberrs, preachers, use such offhand remarks. I have even heard it from the pulpit. They aren't talking about God or to Him, they are just using a throw-away phrase to fill time or emphasize a point.

 

Artimaeus --

Unfortunately, I know what you are saying, but
few of my friends, I admit, are not believers --
shamefully few. Yet some of my believing
friends outside my synagogue use these words.
How can I possibly think that everytime my
friends say, "Oh, lord, no" or "God, I like that" or
"My lord, it was awful," they are using the name
of the one they will stand before as Judge? How
can I do that?

When I was writing of the fact that there are many
gods and lords, I was thinking of people without
such a profession, who give our God no thought.
However, I was not considering such expletives
as G.d., which I rarely ever hear.

This conversation reminds me of one I had with a
couple who were at the tail-end of a horrible
multiple-car accident. They were not involved in
the accident, but they tried to help those in it.
Many died, and many would die of their injuries.

As this pastor and his wife went through the
carnage, comforting those they could, they later
told me that the most severely hurt all had the
word God on their lips -- some were praying to
Him, and some were cursing at Him. This couple
was there, praying over them, as these died.

This shakes me to the core for people.

I think that I have a tendency to excuse those who
do not know our God for such usages, because
I am not our God, and I will not have to judge them
in their final day. But for believers who still talk
this way and excuse it, I am so sorry for you.

When I was holiness-Arminian, I feared for you;
now, I just pity you.

 

I immediately go to the Lord in prayer and ask for forgiveness. Because if I hear it, in my mind I had to acknowledge what someone says, it is like I said it.

It makes me soooo angry inside, and hurtful. I almost cry in shame. But i will ask God to give me the correct words to say to that person. I don't know, but somehow I always say, "Please do not say that again, and especially in front of me."

I know of one man who says it with every sentence, and I just cringe inside. I just try my best not to go around him. I think he does it on purpose, because he knows it hurts me more than anything. He does not even know why he does it. He said one time, he means no harm....and I say then why do you do it. Because you are.

So I do not know what is the right thing to do, but I wish I did. But then if we all did, nobody would be doing it.

But until I know the right thing, I guess I will keep saying a prayer asking for forgveness.

Sherrie

 

Unfortunately my mother in law says this sometimes without thinking, and so do other family members. You would think they would, knowing that I'm a Christian be a little more sensitive and conscientious about it...but they don't care. It burns my ears, it makes me wince. I usually leave the room. It's tricky with in-laws. I wish my husband would say something to them.

With my own family...my sister and my neice sometimes say it...and I tell them in my strongest voice "DON'T TAKE MY LORDS NAME IN VAIN!" They usually look at me with wide eyes in shock. Believe it or not, I'm very soft spoken. If I shout at anyone...it's pretty clear that it's not something that can be sluffed off or ignored. My neice is only 3...but you learn what you are exposed to. It's especially ugly coming from a child. She'll get a mouth full of soap if she ever says it when I'm babysitting her. Fortunately for her, I think she knows that.

This is one of those things that I have an especially hard time with. Because Christians get it...and non-Christians think if it bothers you...you are from another planet or something.

Laurenda

 

Most people don't think about what they are saying. When someone says, "G.D. you" to another person, I ask them; "Do you have any idea what you just asked God to do to this person?". They ususally say, they had never really thought about it.

When someone uses the Lord's name in a cussing manner. I politely state; "That is my Savior you are talking about and it offends and hurts me, please stop.". They usually look at me like I'm crazy, but they do stop and if they slip, they immediately apologize.

One time a person who was saying G.D. and I told him I didn't realize he was a Christian. He replied that he was not and I told him I thought he was since I had just heard him talking to God.

Then there is always the bumper sticker that says, "Contrary to popular belief, God's last name is not damn.".

Blessings,
Sue

 

No! No! No! I am not guilty of saying it. Its like you hear it in your mind when someone says it. Its wrong.

And you know; when people know you are a Christian and they still say it, it is disrespect. And those you ask to not say it and they still do....there is just no excuse.

What about other cuss words. Or when people say they swore to God. Isn't that wrong too?

Sherrie

 

Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
James 3:11,12

But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven, for it is God's throne;
Nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; neither by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
Neither shalt thou swear by they head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay; for whatever is more than these cometh of evil.
Matthew 5:34-37

But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath; but let your yea be yea, and your nay be nay, lest ye fall into condemnation.
James 5:12

Blessings,
Sue

 

You would think my own family would respect me, but what can I say...I don't think they think they are disrepsecting me, I think they feel perfectly justified in talking however they want to. You think I'm headstrong? I'm the meek one.

Yes, I believe that is also wrong. I don't allow profanity or swearing in my house. Unfortunately my family comes for a visit and they are so used to talking that way, I don't think they are even aware they are doing it half the time.

I should paint a decorative sign to put on my front door. That would clarify things a bt.

Rules of the House:
No Smoking
No Drunkeness
No Profanity
Welcome to My Home
Please Wipe Your Feet

Or How about this?

God is the ruler of my heart and my home, Please respect me by honoring His name while you are a guest here. Thank You.

Laurenda

 

Matthew 16:24....I think we all feel the same way about it. And we all ask the ones saying it to please not do it.

But it is obivious that does not work for any of us.

I do know those words are very provoking to me. I really try to maintain coolness, and ask/tell please do not do it. I really am angry inside about it, and I want to make that person not do it. But on the outside I am forward, outspoken, very much upset, pleaing, and yet, very much unaccomplished, because the people still do it.

I would be more than happy to hear any remedies. But none of the above approaches work.

Sherrie

 

My pastor did a sermon not long ago about taking the Lord's name in vain. He said it was much more then cussing with His name. It was also misuseing His name and misusing scripture.
Something I heard someone say a few years ago. They don't like to hear it anymore then anyone else does, but why should they say something to them and expect unbelievers to act like believers, they can't do it. Believers are enpowered by the Holy SPirit, otherwise we couldn't do it either, no more then an unbeliever. If they culd change without Jesus,a nd the power of the Holy SPirt, they(nor us) didn't need Him anyway. We know that isn't true.