Exodus 20:7

Gah, I said I would leave of posting, but I just had to respond to this!!

I too am uncomfortable saying God's name. Before being born again I spent a number of years persuing an orthodox Jewish conversion, living the life of an orthodox Jew. As a result, I have many orthodox Jewish idiosyncrasies. I never say God's four letter name. I always say a short prayer before eating or drinking anything. I always put religious books down face up. For a good while I actually prayed the morning and evening services from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer (1662 only, none of those modern perversions, please lol)! To this day our family meals often involve singing hymns and bible study, quite like our shabbos meals used to be.

 

If only it were that easy.

Let me quote from Alan Carins' insightful book on the the 10 Commandments, Chariots of God:

So, no, the problem is not speaking a particular name of God, it is taking it (i.e., lifting it up or employing it) in vain (i.e., using it in an empty, frivolous, unholy, or unworthy manner).

I think using "Lord" as a comma in prayer is probably using the name of the Lord in a vain way.

I also think that some contemporary worship falls under the same condemnation.

Andy

 

The New Covenant tetragrammaton no child of God need fear.

Galatians 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

 

It is a joy to praise God's Holy Name. It is only used in vain when we speak His Name irreverently...such as in cursing etc.

Many people in the Bible called Him Lord and He said we will call Him 'Lord' when we get to Heaven.

If we use His Name to call upon Him, we are not using His name in vain.

JMHO,
§ue

 

Perhaps our society, Church included, has become too comfortable with the world's language.

I agree with Sue when she said, "It is only used in vain when we speak His Name irreverently...such as in cursing etc."

As far as Baptist in Richmond's concern about overreacting, you should not refer to God in any manner which violates you own conscience.

You can't get too far away from a charging lion, but you can get too close.

 

I am going to steal a line I heard from Adrian Rogers about speaking God's name---here it is:

"I love the name of Jesus! It fits just right in my mouth!!"

God's name is sweet, isn't it??

The Lord Jesus Christ---name above all names!

Blackbird

 

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

 

With all due respect, I think it may be overreacting. The Lord's name can certainly be used frivously and lightly (and not just in profanity). But the biblical pattern is that the names of God were frequently used. We should not hesitate to use it; we should simply be careful what ideas we attach it to.

 

Rom 14:22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.

Let your conscience be your guide. The indwelling Holy Spirit lets us know what is and is not acceptable.

For me, the purpose behind it defines whether the use of the name of God was in vain or not. I do not have a problem saying or writing any of the names listed in the Bible...God is my Father, and I am not ashamed of my Father's name. But I do not use it flippiantly, or in disrespect. Although God is my Father, and I can go to Him as "Daddy," I have a healthy fear of the awesome holiness and majesty of God Almighty.

If you have a problem using any of the names, then don't use them. Do not violate your conscience and thereby grieve the Holy Spirit. Just make sure you give us enough hints so we know Who you are talking about.

In Christ,
Trotter

 

I think you may be misunderstanding me. I am referring to "The Name" not to the words "God" or "Lord." Take the capital letter off these words and they become relatively meaningless. </font>[/QUOTE]It is true that later, reverent usage made copiests and transcribers use "LORD" instead of Yahweh. But look at the word usage of those who actually spoke in the first place! How often the name of Yahweh fell from their lips!