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USING God’s NAME IN VAIN DOESN’T JUST MEAN CURSING.
The Hebrew word rendered “vain” in Exodus 20:7 is shav'. This word can mean evil, as in cursing, guile, as in swearing a false oath in God’s name, idolatry, as in referring to a false god but addressing it as Jehovah God, or uselessness, as in trivial comments such as “Oh, my god!”
Cursing
An example of cursing as a form of using God’s name in vain is found in Leviticus 24:11. And the Israelitish woman's son blasphemed the name of the LORD, and cursed. And they brought him unto Moses. The witnesses that heard him curse in God’s name lay hands on him as testimony (Leviticus 24:14) and this verse reveals the sentence: …… and let all the congregation stone him. It was a serious offense and received the maximum punishment.
Swearing a False Oath
Swearing in God’s name as a ploy to convince the other party of your sincerity is another form of taking God’s name in vain. It is forbidden. (Leviticus 19:12) And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.
Worship of False Idols
Outright worship of anything of a pagan nature and linking it to God’s name is a subtle violation of this Commandment that can fool most people. God does not want His name connected in any way with anything pagan. This principle is expressed by God when He admonishes Israel not to profane His name in addition to committing the sin of worshiping idols. (Leviticus 18:21) And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.
And don’t think the prohibition applies only to Israel. No one is allowed to blaspheme God’s name in any of the methods defined by “vain” (SHAV’). (Leviticus 24:16) And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he
shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shall be put to death.
TRIVIAL USE
Today there are numerous incidents where God’s name is flipped out as an epithet in such a casual manner, it is impossible to recognize any difference in it from any other word. Whether it is an exclamation or giving God credit for something that He obviously had nothing to do with, it is trivial and does not have the importance attached to it that it deserves. If a ball player hits the winning home run, God may have blessed the athlete with the ability to do it, but it is not likely that God directly intervened and won that game. Quite unfair, don’t you think? Give the credit to the player, don’t claim that God brought about this victory. There might be a moment in history where His plan calls for this particular team to win this particular game, but generally He lets the kids play the game themselves.
Another misuse that occurs is when people pay lip service to the Lord with their actions and gifts but don’t have His love in their hearts. The purpose of their deeds is for their own benefit; to garner a reputation for being generous or to score points with God for their own profit. It won’t work. (Matthew 7:22-23) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
PROPER USE OF GOD’S NAME
When Abraham moved to a new location, he would build an altar to God. The altar was for God, to give thanks to God, and to honor God. (Genesis 12:8) And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD. When Abraham dedicated an altar to God, he called upon His name. This is the correct and proper use of God’s name, in worshipful reverence.
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