Do Not Misuse God's Name

“Thou shall not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain”

Exodus 20:7

We must not misuse God’s name.  Here are three ways we misuse God’s name.

I – FALSE WITNESS OF GOD- Swearing God’s name falsely  is a sin (Leviticus 19:12).  A lie told in God’s name is worse because we degrade God into the mud with us.  God forbids the misuse of His name.  Example is when we take the oath of office.  In the last sentence it says …”so help me God”. But we do not obey this.  Like politicians after winning election, we break this promise!  The lesson is we must be “truth tellers”.

II- FALSE WORSHIP – Psalm 29:2 tells us to “give to the Lord the glory due unto His name”. Lip service means saying “yes” with our mouth but saying “no”  in our heart by action.  It is called hypocrisy.  We call God master but we obey Him not. We always disobey Him even in worshiping Him.

III- FALSE WORDS ABOUT GOD -  To misuse God’s name means literally  “to lift up to attach it to emptiness”.  Example is the use of expressing “Oh My God”!   We use the name of God  in vain. Without reverence and respect like a simple expression. 

To address misuse of God’s name, we must recognize and exalt His name (Philippians 2:11).  Confess that  Jesus Christ is Lord because there is power in His name. We must use God’s name correctly. We must revere His name.  “Reverence” means to set apart His name in ordinary names.  We put God in the throne of our hearts.  We desire our life to reveal to others the character of God every day.  God’s name is at stake when we commit sin.  We should live in a way that “others see Jesus  in us”.  Those who know Jesus rely and trust on Him (John 20:21).  Through His name we were saved. As the song goes “Take the Name of Jesus With You, Precious Name Oh How Sweet, Hope of Earth and Joy of Heaven.”

(From the Messages of Rev. Teofilito A. Rufon on Sunday Worship)