We hear God’s name used so frequently today in sitcoms, movies, plays, and everyday conversations that it is easy to forget how serious this commandment is.
God’s name reflects His holy character. His name is sacred.
How we use His name echoes how we feel about Him. If we use His name in a curse or to get a laugh or in frustration, we are showing that we have no respect for His holiness.
God wants us to use His name in ways that reflect His godliness. So let us do a quick recap: The first commandment instructs us to put God first in our lives.
The second commandment tells us to get the right picture or image of God.
This third commandment instructs us to think about God in the right way and to use His name accordingly.
Tame your thoughts
Whatever you think about eventually determines what you become.
Your thoughts define your vocabulary and your actions. Ralph Waldo Emerson said: “A man is what he thinks about all day long.”
But way before Emerson was on the scene, King Solomon told us in Proverbs that whatever we think about in our hearts shows up in our character.
Ask God to help you think about things that are lovely, pure, true, and honest so you will constantly be dwelling on the holy qualities of God Himself.
When you are saturated with those thoughts, it is difficult to take His name in vain.
Have you profaned God’s holy name? How’s your language? Does it mirror a holy God or what the culture around you screams?
If you are reading and watching entertainment that profanes His name, eventually you will become desensitised to it.
And, of course, once you are desensitized, it is extremely easy to let His name slip in profane ways.
We can also profane God by not taking Him seriously. To talk about God, but choose not to live like Him is profanity.
God does not want your lip service; He wants your life service.
We can also profane His name by rejecting His forgiveness. When we sin, there is only one who can forgive and cleanse us, Jesus Christ.
To rationalise our sin and refuse to admit that we have truly sinned is profaning God’s name.
Source: tecartabible.com
