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Using God's name in vain

Judith

Judith

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
I am sure that we would all agree that saying the word God and putting a profane word behind it is using His name in Vain. Also Just saying Jesus Christ as an exclamation is also using that name in vain. However I think that many who profess Christ use God's name in vain by using it as an exclamation and using letters "OMG."
Perhaps this happens because we do not fully understand what it is to be Holy and have a holy name, but I am of the mind-set that any mention of God for any reason other than teaching, learning, or worship is using His name in vain and the same with the Lord Jesus Christ. If we speak or write out the misuse in full or abbreviate it, it is still using His name in vain. Something to think about. ;)
 
Q

quantumfaith

Active Member
Judith said:
I am sure that we would all agree that saying the word God and putting a profane word behind it is using His name in Vain. Also Just saying Jesus Christ as an exclamation is also using that name in vain. However I think that many who profess Christ use God's name in vain by using it as an exclamation and using letters "OMG."
Perhaps this happens because we do not fully understand what it is to be Holy and have a holy name, but I am of the mind-set that any mention of God for any reason other than teaching, learning, or worship is using His name in vain and the same with the Lord Jesus Christ. If we speak or write out the misuse in full or abbreviate it, it is still using His name in vain. Something to think about. ;)
Click to expand...

I agree, when using the expression OMG, I always try to remember to make it OMGoodness.
 
T

Tom Butler

New Member
quantumfaith said:
I agree, when using the expression OMG, I always try to remember to make it OMGoodness.
Click to expand...

I was taught early in life that such expressions are what are called "sugar-coated cusswords." They were considered an alternative to that awful expression that none of us want to use. Such as:

Oh my gosh
Gosh darn
Golly Bill
Gee Whiz
Golly Gee
Dadgummit
Gad-dummit.
Good golly Molly
Doggone it
Dang it
Land's sake (sub for "For God's sake.")
For goodness sake.
Gunny sacks
What the heck (for "what the ______")
Holy Moly

Those are a few that come to mind. And I confess that I've used most of them.

Are there others you can think of?

And is it okay to substitute them for the bad words? Could they also be labeled as taking the Lord's name in vain?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Q

quantumfaith

Active Member
Tom Butler said:
I was taught early in life that such expressions are what are called "sugar-coated cusswords." They were considered an alternative to that awful expression that none of us want to use. Such as:

Oh my gosh
Gosh darn
Golly Bill
Gee Whiz
Golly Gee
Dadgummit
Doggone it
Dang it
Land's sake (sub for "For God's sake.")
For goodness sake.
Gunny sacks
What the heck (for "what the ______")
Holy Moly

Those are a few that come to mind. And I confess that I've used them all.

Are there others you can think of?

And is it okay to substitute them for the bad words? Could they also be labeled as taking the Lord's name in vain?
Click to expand...

I was taught the same thing. Here is an addition

Great Day in the Morning
 
Q

quantumfaith

Active Member
Tom Butler said:
I was taught early in life that such expressions are what are called "sugar-coated cusswords." They were considered an alternative to that awful expression that none of us want to use. Such as:

Oh my gosh
Gosh darn
Golly Bill
Gee Whiz
Golly Gee
Dadgummit
Gad-dummit.
Good golly Molly
Doggone it
Dang it
Land's sake (sub for "For God's sake.")
For goodness sake.
Gunny sacks
What the heck (for "what the ______")
Holy Moly

Those are a few that come to mind. And I confess that I've used them all.

Are there others you can think of?

And is it okay to substitute them for the bad words? Could they also be labeled as taking the Lord's name in vain?
Click to expand...

As for the substitution. Personally I think it is acceptable, as I try to focus on the "intent" of the heart.
 
J

JamesL

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Judith said:
I am sure that we would all agree that saying the word God and putting a profane word behind it is using His name in Vain. Also Just saying Jesus Christ as an exclamation is also using that name in vain.
Click to expand...

Are you equating this with "taking" his Name in vain?

I'm curious
 
Scarlett O.

Scarlett O.

Moderator
Moderator
Judith said:
I am sure that we would all agree that saying the word God and putting a profane word behind it is using His name in Vain. Also Just saying Jesus Christ as an exclamation is also using that name in vain. However I think that many who profess Christ use God's name in vain by using it as an exclamation and using letters "OMG."
Perhaps this happens because we do not fully understand what it is to be Holy and have a holy name, but I am of the mind-set that any mention of God for any reason other than teaching, learning, or worship is using His name in vain and the same with the Lord Jesus Christ. If we speak or write out the misuse in full or abbreviate it, it is still using His name in vain. Something to think about. ;)
Click to expand...

I agree with you Judith - I hate the use of OMG. :mad:

My pastor also says that when a Christian who "takes" the name of Christ with them everywhere they go and are violates the lifestyle a Christian should be living then that person is also using God's Name with an empty purpose.
 
P

prophet

Active Member
Site Supporter
Judith said:
I am sure that we would all agree that saying the word God and putting a profane word behind it is using His name in Vain. Also Just saying Jesus Christ as an exclamation is also using that name in vain. However I think that many who profess Christ use God's name in vain by using it as an exclamation and using letters "OMG."
Perhaps this happens because we do not fully understand what it is to be Holy and have a holy name, but I am of the mind-set that any mention of God for any reason other than teaching, learning, or worship is using His name in vain and the same with the Lord Jesus Christ. If we speak or write out the misuse in full or abbreviate it, it is still using His name in vain. Something to think about. ;)
Click to expand...

The word "Take", and the word "say", are not synonyms in anyone's thesaurus.

So, no, not everyone agrees.

Now, blasphemy, on the other hand, which is the actual name for this practice, goes from a lack of proper respect, all the way to pure hatred for God, and worship of Satan...and everywhere inbetween.
 
I

Iconoclast

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Scarlett O. said:
I agree with you Judith - I hate the use of OMG. :mad:

My pastor also says that when a Christian who "takes" the name of Christ with them everywhere they go and are violates the lifestyle a Christian should be living then that person is also using God's Name with an empty purpose.
Click to expand...

Your pastor has spoken wisely:wavey::wavey:
 
Greektim

Greektim

Well-Known Member
Judith said:
I am sure that we would all agree that saying the word God and putting a profane word behind it is using His name in Vain. Also Just saying Jesus Christ as an exclamation is also using that name in vain. However I think that many who profess Christ use God's name in vain by using it as an exclamation and using letters "OMG."
Perhaps this happens because we do not fully understand what it is to be Holy and have a holy name, but I am of the mind-set that any mention of God for any reason other than teaching, learning, or worship is using His name in vain and the same with the Lord Jesus Christ. If we speak or write out the misuse in full or abbreviate it, it is still using His name in vain. Something to think about. ;)
Click to expand...
I wouldn't agree w/ your first sentence. "god" is a title not a name. I don't care what profanity you put before it or after it. That doesn't turn it into a name. If it is not a name, can it actually be breaking any commandment?
 
J

JamesL

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Judith said:
No, but this is not, about taking His name in vain, but about using His name in vain.
Click to expand...

Thanks for clarifying. I agree with Greektim. Anyone of any persuasion (or lack thereof) can use a generic reference to "god" and attach a profanity. I don't think God's feelings are hurt when unbelievers do this

And some unbelievers even use our Lord's Name just as loosely. I can't say I like it, but unbelievers are dead in tresspasses and sin, and in a state of unbelief. I really expect nothing else from them.

But for a believer to profanely use "Jesus Christ" with an "H" or an "f"word in the middle, or even say "My God" in such a profane manner is deserving of a slap upside the head.

Why would someone assume the Name of God, if it is a Name worth cursing?
 
P

prophet

Active Member
Site Supporter
Greektim said:
I wouldn't agree w/ your first sentence. "god" is a title not a name. I don't care what profanity you put before it or after it. That doesn't turn it into a name. If it is not a name, can it actually be breaking any commandment?
Click to expand...

Agreed. His name is Jehovah. Or, 'Providence' in English.

To 'take His name', is to marry Him, or be adopted by Him. Same thing it means any other time.
My wife took my name. She didn't say 'Ramsey', she took the name 'Ramsey' as hers.

Pro 30:9
9 Lest I be full, and deny thee,
and say, Who is the Lord?
or lest I be poor, and steal,
and take the name of my God in vain.

Taking the name of Providence, as in "I'm a Christian", thereby taking the name of Jesus, as your groom, and then acting as if He can't provide for you, is "taking the name of the LORD thy God in vain."

For a Christian to borrow money from usurers, or steal, is a violation of their covenant with 'He who sees and provides'
 
P

prophet

Active Member
Site Supporter
Judith said:
No, but this is not, about taking His name in vain, but about using His name in vain.
Click to expand...

Show me "using his name in vain" in the scriptures.
You got the 'in vain' part from the scriptures, maybe... But, "using"??
 
J

JamesL

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
prophet said:
Agreed. His name is Jehovah. Or, 'Providence' in English.

To 'take His name', is to marry Him, or be adopted by Him. Same thing it means any other time.
My wife took my name. She didn't say 'Ramsey', she took the name 'Ramsey' as hers.

Pro 30:9
9 Lest I be full, and deny thee,
and say, Who is the Lord?
or lest I be poor, and steal,
and take the name of my God in vain.

Taking the name of Providence, as in "I'm a Christian", thereby taking the name of Jesus, as your groom, and then acting as if He can't provide for you, is "taking the name of the LORD thy God in vain."

For a Christian to borrow money from usurers, or steal, is a violation of their covenant with 'He who sees and provides'
Click to expand...

I agree 100%, and I was thinking of exactly the same scripture.

One cannot take God's Name in vain if he has not taken it at all.

Take the Lord's Name, call on His Name, be called by His Name, are synonymous
 
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