Exodus 20:7 reads, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.” I suspect that we do not have a broad enough concept of what this verse means. We apply it in terms of cussing and profanity, or using the “G” word. This commandment goes far beyond profanity.
This commandment protected the holiness of God. The word “take” means to take upon the lips, to speak the divine name. “Vain” means falsely (to cover a lie); or, without reality (as an empty pretense). Over all it is the false, derogatory and frivolous use of God’s name that is guarded by the commandment. Why is God so concerned about his name? Why not? We are concerned about our name. Someone can steal your personal identity from just your name and Social Security number. You want to protect your name at almost all costs these days
God’s name is holy and sacred (Psa. 111:9). In our culture truly nothing is sacred. Everything is cheap and common. How would one use the name of God in vain? Leviticus 19:12 names two ways: perjury and profanity. Romans 2:24-26 names another: perverse living while claiming to wear his name. The command not to take the name of the Lord in vain involves each of these three factors.
Perjury – Perjury was a crime then and now (Lev. 19:12a). The reason for its seriousness is the same as it was in Moses’ day. Today, false evidence shakes the very foundation of justice. The fear of God was the foundation of all true speaking (Judg. 8:19). To affirm by God’s name was to say that you served God only (Deut. 6:13-15; Jere. 4:1-2). It was serious to swear by God’s name and fail to fulfill one’s oath. It was to insult God who guards all truth (Jere. 5:1-2). This is what the apostle Peter did when he cursed and swore (Matt. 26:74). Jesus removed the need to swear by God’s name (Matt. 5:33-37). Life is littered with broken promises.
Perverted Living – The name of God is used in vain if we do not live consistently with God’s revealed will while professing to wear his name (Rom. 2:24). This was God’s indictment against the Jews as a whole. Because Israel’s sins resulted in their being taken into captivity the nations blasphemed God (Isa. 52:5). We may cause the name of God to be blasphemed by people today simply by the way we live (Rom. 14:16; 2 Pet. 2:2).
Profanity – To profane something is to treat it with dishonor (Lev. 19:12b). Esau was a “profane” person who counted his birthright as worth no more than a meal (Heb. 12:16). What is the name of God worth to you? Profaning God’s name is all too common. Careless phrases are everywhere heard, such as, “Oh, Lord,” “Oh, my God” (OMG), “Good Lord!” It is faddish and clever to invoke God’s name with just the right tone and inflection to get the most laughs. Think about it: Taking God’s name in vain means to use God’s name to support a lie (Matt. 5:33-37), to wear God’s name hypocritically (Rom. 2:24-26), and to use God’s name profanely (Lev. 19:12b).
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