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

Answer

Although many people believe that taking the Lord’s name in vain refers to using it as a swear word, there is much more to a vain use of God’s name. To understand the seriousness of taking the Lord’s name in vain, we must first consider God’s name from His perspective as outlined in Scripture. The God of Israel was known by various names and titles, but the concept embodied in God’s name plays a significant and unique role in the Bible. God’s nature, attributes, the totality of His being, and especially His glory are reflected in His name “O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! Who hast set thy glory above the heavens.”, (Psalm 8:1). Psalm 111:9 describes His name as “holy and awesome,” and the Lord’s prayer begins by addressing God with the phrase “hallowed be your name” “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.”, (Matthew 6:9), indicating that reverence for God and His name should be our top priority in prayer. Often, we enter God’s presence with presumptuous “to-do lists” for Him, without considering His holiness, His awesomeness, and the vast difference between our nature and His. The fact that we can even approach His throne is solely due to His gracious, merciful love for His own “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”, (Hebrews 4:16). We must never take that grace for granted.

Because of the greatness of the name of God, any use of God’s name that brings dishonor on Him or on His character is taking His name in vain. The third of the Ten Commandments forbids taking or using the Lord’s name in an irreverent manner because that would indicate a lack of respect for God Himself. A person who misuses God’s name will not be held “guiltless” by the Lord «Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. », (Exodus 20:7). In the Old Testament, bringing dishonor on God’s name was done by failing to perform an oath or vow taken in His name «And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD. », (Leviticus 19:12). The man who used God’s name to legitimize his oath, and then broke his promise, would indicate his lack of reverence for God as well as a lack of fear of His holy retribution. It was essentially the same as denying God’s existence. For believers, however, there is no need to use God’s name to legitimize an oath as we are not to take oaths in the first place, letting our “yes be yes” and our “no be no” (Matthew 5:33-37).

There is a larger sense in which people today take the Lord’s name in vain. Those who name the name of Christ, who pray in His name, and who take His name as part of their identity, but who deliberately and continually disobey His commands, are taking His name in vain. Jesus Christ has been given the name above all names, at which every knee shall bow (Philippians 2:9-10), and when we take the name “Christian” upon ourselves, we must do so with an understanding of

All that signifies. If we claim to be Christians, but behave, think, and speak in a worldly or irreverent manner, we misuse His name. When we misinterpret Christ, whether deliberately or due to lack of knowledge of the Christian faith as presented in Scripture, we misuse the Lord’s name. When we declare our love for Him, but fail to follow His commands « And why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? », (Luke 6:46), we misuse His name and may be aligning ourselves with those to whom Christ will say, “I never knew you. Depart from me” on the day of judgment (Matthew 7:21-23).

The name of the Lord is sacred, just as He is sacred. The name of the Lord symbolizes His magnificence, His grandeur, and His ultimate divinity. We are to respect and honor His name as we admire and exalt God Himself. Failing to do so amounts to misusing His name.