What is "Taking the Lord's Name in Vain"?

"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."

The body of Christ, by and large, is being led by men who "mind earthly things". They have not had experiences in the Spirit, so they rule by what they comprehend in the flesh, much to the congregation's detriment. One such example is teaching God's children that to "take the name of the Lord in vain" means to use the words "God" or "Jesus" in a profane expression. Certainly, to use the words of the Father and His Son in an irreverent manner is not good; however, that is not what is intended by the biblical phrase, "taking the name of the Lord in vain". To "take" is not to "speak". Rather, the true meaning of that phrase is made clear if we substitute "bear" for the word, "take", for that is what God intended. We would then have this for our scripture from Exodus 20:7:

"Thou shalt not bear the name of the Lord in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who bears His name in vain.

Jesus told Paul that he was to "bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel" (Acts 9:15). Bearing the precious name of Jesus with integrity, faith, and charity, Paul turned many to righteousness in the ensuing years. He did not bear, or take the name of the Lord upon himself, in vain. As Paul later testified, "His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain, but I labored more abundantly than they all." (1Cor.15:10).

After Moses led Israel out of slavery in Egypt, he took her to Mount Sinai, to enter into a covenant with the Lord. Israel was to be God's: "if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people, for all the earth is mine. And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation" (Ex.19:5-6).

Israel accepted this proposal and became God's chosen nation. The Law was given to her. In this new testament era, when one enters into covenant with God, one receives the Spirit of God (the Law "written on our hearts"). There is no such thing as a person entering into covenant with God, or "being born again", without receiving the holy Ghost. And the sign of this covenant is "speaking with other tongues" (Is.28:11-12) - there is NOBODY who has the Spirit of God, who has not spoken in other tongues.

When a man and woman marry, the woman "takes the husband's name". But if she is unfaithful, or causes the husband financial difficulty, or is in any other way a hindrance in Christ, the purpose for being married has not been achieved. She has "taken his name in vain", for nothing. Similarly, when we enter into covenant with God, we become one with Him in Spirit (1Cor.6:17), and in so doing, we "take His holy name". From that time, everything we do or say reflects on the name we bear. We may bear it honorably or dishonorably, faithfully or unfaithfully.

God insisted that Israel bear His name honorably. He chose Israel to be the vehicle for His divine light, and by obeying His Law she would shine, and draw other nations to God. Aware of the risk that Israel would bring disgrace upon His holy name, God gave the warning, "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord your God in vain". Unfortunately, Israel did not heed the warning given. The prophets told Israel that they would be cast away from God, for she took the name of Jehovah upon herself, but then was unfaithful to His commandments and walked not in His ways. Unfruitful in righteousness, she took His name for nothing, in vain. After demonstrating great patience and mercy on His unfaithful spouse, God finally announced that He would no longer recognize that first covenant. In other words, He divorced Israel. Jesus told the leaders of Israel, "the kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof" (Mt.21:43). Faithfulness, and, so, fruitfulness is required of all who are in covenant with God (cp.Rom.7:4). Israel was given the Law to guide her into the lifestyle that would result in fruitfulness, and Israel's only hope of being fruitful was to obey it, but she did not. The body of Christ has been given the Spirit to guide her, and it's only hope of bearing fruit acceptable with God is to obey the Spirit, and she has not. Without the anointing of the Spirit there can be no acceptable worship, no right doctrine, no profitable labor, and no holy relationships, and it is tragic beyond words that the Holy Ghost baptism is considered by many in the congregation to be an optional experience. If Israel erred, and was condemned, for not heeding the Law, then can the body of Christ be less guilty if we ignore, or relegate to a secondary position, the greater Guide? Paul underscores this by saying, "For as many as are led by the Spirit, they are the sons of God" (Rom.8:14).

Those who are led of the Spirit do not live in sin (Gal.6:16), because there is no sin in Him (1Jn.1:5). Spirit-led believers bear holy fruits of the Spirit, which are these: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. To these we might add Peter's list in 2Pet.1:5-7, with his comment that, "if these be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." We can bear God's name honorably only as we walk in the new life of the Spirit of God. A believer who is not obedient to the Spirit has received that Spirit for nothing, and is bearing God's name disgracefully, fruitlessly - in vain. May God, in His great mercy, help us all to take full advantage of the precious opportunity to live and worship in the Spirit and in the truth, for therein lies our only hope of bearing God's name in a manner which will produce the fruit He requires of His people. As Jesus told his followers: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Mt.5:16). Our lives are the only Bible which some will ever read. Are men reading good things about your heavenly Father in your life, my brother? my sister? What kind of God would those around you say that God is, based upon your lifestyle and conversation? Would they think He is slow to anger? Could they believe that He is merciful? holy? a compassionate God, not wanting any to perish?

Dear friend, soon this little life will be ended. Soon those who love us will be gathered around our graves. What will your life have told them about Christ Jesus? Oh, let us make the most of these fleeting hours and strive to "adorn the gospel of God our Savior in all things", so that we leave no shadow cast upon the name of Jesus. How strongly I feel the compassion of Christ in the injunction Paul gave, "Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity" (2Tim.2:19). My friend in Christ, let us be "followers of God, as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints, neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which is not convenient, but rather giving of thanks".

What more compelling reason could we have for living a holy life than to bring honor to the holy name we bear? Genuine thankfulness for being forgiven is demonstrated by consecrated living. Nothing declares the goodness of God to the world any more clearly or forcefully than does an honest, holy life. Let us all determine not to take the name of our Lord in vain. On the contrary, by the simplicity and sincerity of godliness let us "show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1Pet. 2:9). It is for that purpose that He sent us His Spirit. And it is only in accomplishing that purpose that we do not bear His holy name in vain.

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