In Vain

            Either if its in the lunch room, cubical, hallway, traffic jam, or football game the Lord's name being used in vain is a common thing. When most people think of using the Lord's name in vain they know that people say that it's bad but I can guarantee that most nonbelievers look past what a believers thinks. But really, even as a believer...have you ever slipped in using God's name in place of a cuss word?
            Being sinful...just about everyone has done it. Half the time it's not taken seriously because we know that God isn't gonna jump right out of the sky to come smack us personally. We normally use his name in vain when we are angry or upset about something that has gotten out of our control. We can express our emotion without using God's name against him it is just the matter of understanding why we should. The bottom line is...when you use the Lord's name in vain you are taking all those sinful and slandering words then throwing them out. Because the Lord's name seems more "cool" or more  "normal" to use since it gets our point across.
             But did you know...in doing that we are actually bringing God down to the level of cuss words and were using them as if they mean the same thing? When somebody gets mad it is hard to not revert to the slandering words that we often use against people but when we use the Lord's name we are basically calling him anything than what he is. We need to realize how harmful and real it is to use the Lord's name in vain. I know this doesn't seem like a huge topic that needs to be addressed but who out there really recognizes what using the Lord's name in vain entails. God knows when we take his name in place of another and believe it or not I would imagine that he's not too happy when we do. We might view it as a typical saying but your actions can speak louder than words and those words need to preach in order to teach. According to Exodus 20:7 God doesn't take this matter as a guiltless action... "You shall not take the name if the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain." This is one of the ten commandments so this small rule does mean something and it does affect your relationship with Christ. By saying that using the Lord's name in vain is a huge deal that might be the only way that we can stop. Even if you don't use his name directly but you use a joke that slanders the idea of Christ or you hear someone doing it. That right there yanks God down of heaven and replaces the bad words and feelings that were intended and put God in place of that.
              This all might sound silly to you but maybe we need to pay more attention to the way that we act when we are not only happy and trying to spread the Gospel but also when we aren't at our best. In order to have a good character as a child of God we need to show our personality consistently all around. Some people might be following a person that is a strong believer that may even help and mentor others. But if that person cusses and gets irate to then revert to using the Lord's name in vain. Well then... how well do you think their good character is coating them? We need to be clear in the times of pain and suffering just as we are in everyday pleasures. Even when we are irate and mad we still send a message that someone might be following. Having influence on others is not only a huge privilege but also a huge responsibility because you need to be strong. Plus the leader needs to realize the impact their actions really have on their followers. Be careful not to use the name of the Lord in a careless manner because he deserves better and he isn't careless when speaking about you!
             Challenge yourself this week to act and ultimately speak without dishonoring God. And put this into action by imagining if your parents names or even your name was used for such slander and degrading talk. Just think of how God feels when it is done left and right. Save yourself from suffering because God will mark you as guilty when placing his name in vain. Instead don't be timid when calling his name out because we are to lift his name above the ashes as if it's a light about our lives. Call his name out in worship and teaching to encourage others! Remember 1 John 3:4... "Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness." So do yourself a favor and practice righteousness so that your are righteous because that is how you get the ultimate reward.





Word of the day: "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
                                                                    ~Acts 4:12