Feb. 15, 2023

“THE TEN COMMANDMENTS”

“WATCH WHAT YOU SAY”

EXODUS 20:7

Exodus 20:7 “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.”

The third command is to protect the name of God. Don’t take the name of God in vain.

God wants His name to be valued and protected. He does not want His name to be defamed or abused.

vs.7 “in vain”- the word vain means without purpose, or wasteful, or empty, or frivolous.

If you are going to talk about God, it needs to be true to who He is, and bear the weight of who He is.

James 5:12 “But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.”

Matthew 5:33-37

Usually this command is noted with swearing:

Deuteronomy 10:20 “You shall fear the Lord your God; you shall serve Him, and to Him you shall hold fast, and take oaths in His name.”

Leviticus 19:12 “And you shall not swear by My name falsely, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the Lord.”

Numbers 30:2 “If a man makes a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by some agreement, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.”

God holds His name serious, so He demands that His people do the same.

Leviticus 10:1-3

Don’t give to God something unrecognizable. He is “holy.”

God says whenever you use My name that is official and you will be judged. When you use God’s name, it has to be in sink with Him, or what it does is render judgment, you’re guilty.

God has the legal right to take action with the misuse of His name.

Profanity-is empty language use by empty headed people.

God’s name is special:

Matthew 6:9 “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.”

“Hallowed”-means set apart, unique, one of a kind.

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain…”

So how do you hallow God’s name or not take it in vain? How do you respect the name of God and give it the uniqueness it deserves?

1.   To Worship The Name Of God.

Psalm 34:1-3

Hebrews 13:15 “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.”

Psalm 29:1-2 “Give unto the Lord, O you mighty ones, Give unto the Lord glory and strength. 2Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.”

David came to Goliath in the name of the Lord:

1 Samuel 17:45 “Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”

Acts 5:40-42

There will be times that you will have to bear the name of God.

Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

We honor God’s name when we follow the Lord in our lives by living for Him.

Are you wearing the name of Jesus in your life? Do people know you as a follower of Jesus Christ?