A colleague discovered that her name was used on a website to attract people to attend a Bible seminar. But she hadn’t actually been invited to be the speaker. Immediately, she took action to investigate the matter. Could this be a case of identity theft?
We get offended when someone misuses our name. Why? Because our name is important to us. It’s not merely a string of letters. It identifies who we are.
God is offended when we misuse His name—and rightly so (Exodus 20:7). For God’s name is always a revelation of who He is. In every title by which God made Himself known to man, He revealed some attributes of His divine character. So misusing His name is an affront to His character.
We can misuse God’s name in many ways. Attaching His name to profanity is one of them. And when we use “my God” or “my Lord” or “Jesus Christ” as a way to express our shock, dismay, surprise, elation, or just casual interjection in conversation, we’ve used His name frivolously and disrespectfully. Also, when we praise God in our songs without meaning the words, we’ve uttered His name insincerely.
His name can be misused even through actions and deeds. When believers in Jesus live like the world, we treat the name derived from the One we follow, Christ-ian, with disrespect. We give the world occasion to blaspheme the good name of the Lord: “No wonder the Scriptures say, ‘The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you’ ” (Romans 2:24).
The way we handle God’s name is a reflection of our relationship with Him and our esteem for Him. So, let’s serve the right God (1st commandment) the right way (2nd commandment) with the right regard (3rd commandment).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Samuel 1:1-28
More:
Read Numbers 20:1-13 to see an example of how God dealt with someone who didn’t follow Him in obedience and holiness.
Next:
How can you treat God’s name more reverently? Why do people choose to disrespect God and His name?
Wayne on March 19, 2014 at 5:50 am
We are to love The Lord our God with all our heart,
Soul & mind, and respect him. Help us Lord !
Wayne
ytm3865 on March 19, 2014 at 6:14 am
This is a great reminder to keep the Lord’s name holy. You mentioned , let’s serve the right God (1st commandment) the right way (2nd commandment) with the right regard (3rd commandment), but why stop there? Also mention “ON THE RIGHT DAY “(4th commandment).
Now your post is complete.
Tom Felten on March 19, 2014 at 9:23 am
Poh Fang, it’s a beautiful thing when the first person we genuinely call out to when we’ve experienced great blessing or hard news is our Great God. But, you’re so right, to just casually use His name in vain is to dishonor Him. May we lift up His name today!