Taking God's name in vain

[listed]

I do not believe it means cussing at all, although we should not say things that do not edify, of which cussing falls under. Taking the Lord's name in vain means making the covenant relationship we have with him mean nothing. Israel had many commandments they were to obey, and when they chronically disregarded those commandments, they took their relationship by covenant with Yahweh in vain. Likewise, as Christians we have the name of Christ in our covenant relationship with him. To not love others, or to not forgive as Jesus did and to disregard the morality and behavior God wants us to walk in is to take our Lord's name in vain.

Most believers think that using the name of the Lord in such things as saying "God damn it" is taking the name of the Lord in vain. They are correct but for the wrong reasons. We have forgotten the power of words. Cussing is short for cursing. To make such a statement is to place a curse on someone or something. This is contrary to the character of God who is a Savior, not a destroyer. So in this sense it takes the name of the Lord in vain since we are the hands and feet of God on Earth, thus we are to be the character of God as well.

Pretty good response. I'm really looking for more than just cussing.

 

[Rubiks]

Consider Ecclesiastes 12:8

"Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Everything is meaningless!" (NIV)

Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; all is vanity. (ESV)

Vanity means the same as meaningless. Taking the Lord's name in vain is to use it in a meaningless way. Either you say it for nothing, taking an oath in God's name, and then breaking that oath, or you say it in a meaningless way, using it the same as any of the other obscenities that people use without really meaning those words according to their actual definition. Expletives have a meaning, but they're seldom used according to their meaning. Hence, the words are used in a meaningless way.

Saying that "God" and "Lord" are titles and not a name is just a dodge. If I say "President," you might ask me which one, thinking I refer to one of the many past and present U.S. Presidents, when I'm really referring to the president of a social club. When I say "Lord," or "God," you know exactly who I'm talking about. It's not just a role that might be filled by any of a number of people. It refers to exactly one being, and it's an unchanging title. Therefore, it is also a name. You use the idea of God as nothing but junk verbiage. It says a lot about your reverence for God.

Nobody uses words in a meaningless way. If words had no meaning, people wouldn't use them.

 

[listed]

"God" and "The Lord" are titles, not names.
To take His name in vain, is to say that you are something that you have no desire to be....

Would "using" God be taking his name in vain? James says something about asking for the wrong reason. That isn't really what I'm asking about. I think blasphemy is closer to what I'm asking.

 

[listed]

Nobody uses words in a meaningless way. If words had no meaning, people wouldn't use them.

Maybe "careless" or "thoughtless" would be a better expression.

 

[listed]

Consider Ecclesiastes 12:8

"Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Everything is meaningless!" (NIV)

Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; all is vanity. (ESV)

Vanity means the same as meaningless. Taking the Lord's name in vain is to use it in a meaningless way. Either you say it for nothing, taking an oath in God's name, and then breaking that oath, or you say it in a meaningless way, using it the same as any of the other obscenities that people use without really meaning those words according to their actual definition. Expletives have a meaning, but they're seldom used according to their meaning. Hence, the words are used in a meaningless way.

Saying that "God" and "Lord" are titles and not a name is just a dodge. If I say "President," you might ask me which one, thinking I refer to one of the many past and present U.S. Presidents, when I'm really referring to the president of a social club. When I say "Lord," or "God," you know exactly who I'm talking about. It's not just a role that might be filled by any of a number of people. It refers to exactly one being, and it's an unchanging title. Therefore, it is also a name. You use the idea of God as nothing but junk verbiage. It says a lot about your reverence for God.

Meaningless could be included in what I'm looking for. I think some take God's in vain both intentionally and unintentionally for cause or a designed purpose. I don't think this applies only to say "Christians."

 

[listed]

Are you saying that you would feel fine with someone never mentioning your name as long and they used a title everyone knew was in reference to you? And if there was any "power in your name" that power would also be transferred to the title associated with you?

interesting

 

[listed]

Wow, why would you think that I am making a case for this? I am only acknowledging what people think, and what God understands. God looks on the heart not on the misunderstood words of people. He knows what we mean even when the words are wrong.

Again, I understand the title, but if you had a chance to meet the president, do you think he would ignore you if you called him, Mr. President? Of course not. The word "lord" is not confined to Baal. That is just a semitic word. Adonai means lord in Hebrew and Senor means lord in Spanish.

Father is not a name that is to be used by the unregenerate. Jesus used the term speaking to the Jews who were still under the Mosaic covenant. Pagans have never been under that covenant. And now for all those born again, Father is what we call God because He is our father in Christ. So much so that we can call him, Abba, or Pappa.

This thread is about taking God's name in vain. I already explained what that means. Nitpicking over the letter misses the spirit of the thread.

I just don't understand why people have to make things a fight. I do think the Jews were taking God's name in vain. I don't think they were cussing in general. I'm think many did cuss though.

 

[Robert76]

What does this mean or include? What does taking a name mean? Is it cussing? Could it mean much more?

Using God's name as a swear word is what we often think of, but also extends to breaking promises made in His name, and even including praying to Him yet then afterwards deliberately disobeying His commands. I enjoyed the following article on this subject:

What does it mean to take the Lord’s name in vain?

 

[listed]

Using God's name as a swear word is what we often think of, but also extends to breaking promises made in His name, and even including praying to Him yet then afterwards deliberately disobeying His commands. I enjoyed the following article on this subject:

What does it mean to take the Lord’s name in vain?

Your article doesn't help. Thanks

 

[Soyeong]

What are some other ways? Cussing has always been at the forefront of what I thought it meant enforced by the religious people and leaders.

It refers to anything that would lower God's reputation in the eyes of others, so basically any time someone says they are a Christian, but hypocritically doesn't act like a Christian. This is most readily apparent when our leaders make headlines, such as for committing fraud or committing a sexual sin, but we all have a personal witness. We are to be a light to the world and known by our love, so want people to observe the actions of Christians and realize that something is missing and that they need what we have. The Bible has a lot to say about how we use our tongue, so that is a big part of it too. For example, if a new person were to come to a church meal, hear a bunch of people bashing whomever happened to be President, and decide that this is not the place for them, then those people would be taking God's name in vain. If a group of people were to attend restaurant, gossip while they wait for their meal to come, and then pray together when it arrives, then they would be taking God's name in vain.

 

[listed]

It refers to anything that would lower God's reputation in the eyes of others, so basically any time someone says they are a Christian, but hypocritically doesn't act like a Christian. This is most readily apparent when our leaders make headlines, such as for committing fraud or committing a sexual sin, but we all have a personal witness. We are to be a light to the world and known by our love, so want people to observe the actions of Christians and realize that something is missing and that they need what we have. The Bible has a lot to say about how we use our tongue, so that is a big part of it too. For example, if a new person were to come to a church meal, hear a bunch of people bashing whomever happened to be President, and decide that this is not the place for them, then those people would be taking God's name in vain. If a group of people attend restaurant, gossip while they wait for their meal to come, and then pray together when it arrives, then they are taking God's name in vain.

Sorry but I don't understand you. Maybe you're mistaken what is going on. True what you said could be attacking and spreading gossip. On-the-other-hand I don't think people are forbidden to discuss current events. Maybe the fine line here is a problem. Gossiping is spreading and inflicting intentional harm.

 

[Soyeong]

Sorry but I don't understand you. Maybe you're mistaken what is going on. True what you said could be attacking and spreading gossip. On-the-other-hand I don't think people are forbidden to discuss current events. Maybe the fine line here is a problem. Gossiping is spreading and inflicting intentional harm.

I think especially at church the focus of our conversations should be about God rather than current events, but there is a big difference discussing current events and bashing someone, and we should be much quicker to pray for someone who knows not what they are doing than to bash them. Evil speech is anything that lowers to reputation of someone in the eyes of others, even if it is true, with the exception that someone needs to know that information, such as in settling a dispute. Or for example, if a friend were about to enter into a business deal with someone I knew was a scammer, then it would be appropriate to warn them, if I were talk about how someone is a scammer when no one needs to know that information, then that would be evil speech even though everything I said was true.

In the Bible, a persons name had much more to do with their reputation, what they were known for, and who they were as a person than about a group of sounds that were used to refer to them. So for example, in Deuteronomy 4:5-8, it was intended that people would see Israel's obedience to God's Law and see how great a God they served, so through their good deeds they would be bringing glory to God. But if they were to be unfaithful to God, by chasing after other gods an doing what is detestable to Him, then they would be taking God's name in vain. It would be exactly like how a wife who was unfaithful to her husband and chased after other men would be taking his last name in vain.

 

[Steve Petersen]

What does this mean or include? What does taking a name mean? Is it cussing? Could it mean much more?

The Hebrew word used in the verse has connotations of 'carry' or 'bear.' Jewish interpretation of this verse is that we are forbidden to take a false oath in the name of God.

 

[1213]

What does this mean or include? What does taking a name mean? Is it cussing? Could it mean much more?

I have understood it means you use God’s name without good reason. If the word “God” is just filling that is thrown all the time without any meaning, it is used in vain.

 

[Theadorus]

I'm sure this may offend some people, but saying, "Oh my G**" isn't taking the Lords name in vain (though, I don't say it myself, and I do not allow my kids to say it either). The Lord was joking with my wife, and he uttered these words to her, "Oh my me." She paused and asked him if he said what she thought he said, and then she just started laughing. Jesus has an awesome sense of humor.

From what I understand, one part of taking the Lords name in vain is coming to people in the name of the Lord when he really didn't say something. For example, lets just say I tell you that God is upset at you for creating this thread and that he isn't going to bless you now because of it. Now that is a straight up lie, and I am falsely coming at you in the name of the Lord. So that right there is an example of taking the Lords name in vain.

Now God gave a pastor buddy of mine this revelation, but God showed this person that using the phrase "I AM, *negitive statement*" is also taking the Lords name in vain. The reason is because we were all created in the image of God (made in God's image), and so by us saying that, "I AM ugly, or that "I AM stupid," or that "I AM worthless," is like us speaking that to God. I hope I'm making sense with this example.

Hope these examples help

 

[RaymondG]

Now God gave a pastor buddy of mine this revelation, but God showed this person that using the phrase "I AM, *negitive statement*" is also taking the Lords name in vain. The reason is because we were all created in the image of God (made in God's image), and so by us saying that, "I AM ugly, or that "I AM stupid," or that "I AM worthless," is like us speaking that to God. I hope I'm making sense with this example.

Hope these examples help

This is what I said in post #4...just not as detailed.....Details can be dangerous......

 

[Instrument150]

What does this mean or include? What does taking a name mean? Is it cussing? Could it mean much more?

Let's use some real world logic here:

" Taking God's name in vain "

What is God's name? There are many ... God, Jesus, Jehova, and the list goes on and on because we have a LOT of languages post Babylon-1.

The most applicable definition of the word Vain:

producing no result; useless.

So I imagine that if you intend to use the name of God, in any form, God needs there to be a result. You are teaching with it, expressing one of His traits, worshiping Him, seeking an answer, giving hope to the downtrodden, planting a seed for Christ consciousness to sprout, ETC. If your vocalization of one of God's names does not RESULT in something, you are using it in vain. If you are using it to have a negative result, you are mocking Him.

A side note on cussing: Cussing is Cursing. Cursing is spellcraft. Spellcraft is the skillfull use of words to affect the mind of those hearing what you are expressing. When you cuss, you cast a spell of whatever demon works his magic into this particular word. Do not do it. Do not especially, add God's name to them and kill three or four sin birds with one stone.

 

[listed]

The Hebrew word used in the verse has connotations of 'carry' or 'bear.' Jewish interpretation of this verse is that we are forbidden to take a false oath in the name of God.

What verse are you talking about?

 

[Steve Petersen]

What verse are you talking about?

Exodus 20:7

 

[listed]

I have understood it means you use God’s name without good reason. If the word “God” is just filling that is thrown all the time without any meaning, it is used in vain.

I think there's much more to the issue than unthoughtful words.