Did you ever get your mouth washed out with soap? I said something naughty when I was Em’s age or younger and, though I do not remember what I said, I sure remember the taste of Irish Spring…Abusive? No! But most certainly effective!

The soap incident only happened once, Praise the Lord, but I have allowed other things to escape my lips of which I am not proud. I used to think cussing was cool in Junior and Senior High. It wasn’t my primary mode of communication, but little bombs here and there. One genre I always steered clear of was the “G.D.’s” and “J.C.’s”. I had it pretty well in my head from a loose but present church upbringing that those were taboo. I would cringe when those were spewed on TV, a movie, or at athletic events. I even used to suggest alternatives to the person because it made me uncomfortable. I only partially understood why

More recently, like within the last 10 years, when I have heard “the name of the Lord taken in vain” I’ve said to the stranger, “Wow! You must have a very close relationship with God to call on His name so: frequently, loudly, publicly, etc.” or “Is Jesus Christ your best friend? You sure call Him a lot!” It’s pretty effective…well, at least it flusters the person, so that’s kind of fun. Oh the facial expressions!

But, let me throw this out there…in Exodus chapter 20, verse 7, God is sharing the 10 Commandments with Moses. This particular commandment, the third specifically, follows God saying, 1 “You shall have no other gods before me”, and 2 “You shall not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth below. You shall not bow down to them and worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.” (emphasis mine) (BTW, that verse is another post someday…) The 3rd commandment reads, “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” The translation a lot of people have grown familiar with is, “Do not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.” Interpreted by many with the understanding that cussing or swearing using “G.D.” or “J.C.” is what God meant in the text. I urge ALL to go way deeper, but also to take the commandment at face value…If we call ourselves followers of God, thus using His name, then aspire to live life accordingly…as a name bearer.

I personally don’t love it when the guy or girl next to me at the sporting event is shouting my Lord’s name. It’s obviously not fitting. Seriously, what does Jesus Christ have to do with that person’s anger over his or her favorite player choking on a lay up? Nothing! You just aren’t supposed to miss lay ups! My heart is more grieved that the person doesn’t know God’s character, His unconditional love, His grace and forgiveness. He or she thinks the name that is above all other names is a cuss word or flippant saying, not realizing its power.

Using the Lord’s name in vain is using it for our own selfish ambition, it’s having other gods before Him and worshipping false idols, but at the same time trying to secure Heaven safety not having a clue what a relationship with Him actually looks like. Misusing His name is talking His words but walking opposite of their commands and meanings. It’s living for our own purpose, not His will. Misusing the name the Lord is misrepresentation of His name. It’s like being a parent but neglecting your children. Calling yourself a pilot but not having a license. Claiming to be a tiger when you don’t have stripes. It’s lying. It’s not a call to perfection, but boy, if you or I are going to call ourselves followers of Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords, the Alpha and Omega, the Lamb that was slain on a cross for the sins of the entire world, we probably should have pure intentions…

“God, please help me damn my selfishness.”

“Jesus Christ, I thank You for the grace to do it.”

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9 Responses

  1. AMEN! I recently had some “Christians” destroy my reputation because of things “God had told them.” I very quickly asked them not to blame God for their selfish ambition. We as Christians need to be very careful how we throw God’s name around. His name is holy. He is amazing!

    Sue Johnson

  2. Long time lurker here…

    My husband recently preached a sermon on this very subject and brought out a very interesting thought. I always felt good about me because I had never said the GD’s or other forms of that. Well, he challenged us with the thought that taking the Lord’s name in vain goes a step further. It is by calling ourselves Christians but living like the world. It is when someone knows we are Christians but our actions do harm to the name of Christ. Wow…talk about a dagger to my heart!

  3. I LOVED this post Adrienne. I am praying that prayer for my life right now too. I want my life to be pleasing to Him – my words, my thoughts, my actions!

    Thanks again for you!

  4. Great post!

    I think you meant, “God, help me DAM my selfishness.” Unless you were being ironic/clever and meant it to double as a cuss word given the contents of the post. Probably not.

    I appreciate your thoughtful and insightful posts.
    Marcie

  5. Adrienne,

    I have been reading your blog for more than a year. I shadowed the nurse overnight while they were caring for little Noah in October I believe. I met your Noah. I just finally got the nerve to post to you because of all the HIPPA mumbo jumbo I didn’t want to cause any problems. I just want to tell you that your blogs have helped me to delve deeper into my relationship with Jesus. I thank you for that.
    I just decided to start my own blog, and hope you don’t mind if I add a link to your site on my blog?

    God Bless you,
    Cindy
    Nebraska

  6. Hey there Adrienne,

    What a great reminder of keeping our Lord’s name sacred and holy, just as it should be. I like your approach to helping people keep the name of the Lord where it ought to be 🙂 I know a few other people who do that as well! I have wanted to say things like you have said on numerous occasions, but I’m usually too much of a chicken to stand up for Jesus on that one…that’s so lame of me. However, I do recall several instances where people who know my faith and aren’t believers themselves have stopped themselves after saying the Lord’s name in vain, and they have apologized to me. I think I maybe one time had enough guts to say something to the effect of, “please don’t apologize to me, but to God.”

    Oh, and I too had my mouth washed out with soap. I can remember it clear as day. And I think that it had something to do with a swear word of some sort that I had probably heard from kids at school or in the neighborhood.

    I hope you’re having a good week. Thanks again for inspiring us all.

    Much love and prayers for you,
    Melody

  7. I agree. God’s name is sacred and I cringe when it is misused.

    I stop by often and have kept up with your story. I have commented a couple of times but often just check to make sure you are doing okay. I pray often for you and your family. My son has been in heaven for 28 years now and I want you to know that I want to be an encourager for others in this “unwanted club” with me. With God’s help, I am a survivor and you will be to. You are also an inspiration for me and that is a blessing indeed!

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