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Pretty good response. I'm really looking for more than just cussing.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.
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.
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."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....
Maybe "careless" or "thoughtless" would be a better expression.Nobody uses words in a meaningless way. If words had no meaning, people wouldn't use them.
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."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.
interestingAre 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?
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.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.
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 this mean or include? What does taking a name mean? Is it cussing? Could it mean much more?
Your article doesn't help. ThanksUsing 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?
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.
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.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.
What does this mean or include? What does taking a name mean? Is it cussing? Could it mean much more?
What does this mean or include? What does taking a name mean? Is it cussing? Could it mean much more?
This is what I said in post #4...just not as detailed.....Details can be dangerous......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
What does this mean or include? What does taking a name mean? Is it cussing? Could it mean much more?
What verse are you talking about?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.
I think there's much more to the issue than unthoughtful words.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.
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