Using God's name properly
By Dr. Peter Roussakis

You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. Exodus 20:7

Language is an important part of human life. It distinguishes us from all other creatures, it is indispensable for relating, communicating, learning, and of course for the Christian, for proclaiming the Gospel. Language may be used for good. It also may be an instrument of wrongdoing. Misuse language may cause hard feelings and misunderstandings. Language is a gift God has endowed us with, that we may scribe to him the glory due his name, and carry on his work and our daily routines and activities with care and efficiency.

The Hebrew for in vain in the KJV of the Third Commandment, rendered, misuse in the NIV, means empty, lacking in purpose, meaningless, frivolous, without sincerity. We are not to use God's name in speech or in written form in a meaningless way. For example, we've all heard people casually say, "Oh God" this or "Oh God" that, as an expression of surprise, perhaps joy, or even disgust. Most people who use such expressions do so without thinking of what they are really saying, and certainly do not use God's name as though they were addressing him in any way. They simply use God's name as a meaningless adornment, what is referred to as a minced oat, not in a way that honors God's name or refers to him in any particular way.

Dr. Peter Roussakis is pastor at the First Brethren Church in Burlington.

Saying the name of God in ancient Hebrew culture was considered so sacred, that Jehovah/ Yahweh was not usually voiced, only spelled (YHWH). Instead they would use the Hebrew word shem, which simply means name. The name of God is special, for it represents who he is, what he's like, his capacities of majesty and mercy, power and personal care, greatness, and grace. To say the name God, therefore, is a privilege, and carries with it the greatest of responsibilities. Manipulating the name of God, using it for one's meaningless or improper ends, too casually referring to the Creator of the universe or the Redeemer of our souls is to rob God's name of its intrinsic meaning. It is a failure to take God seriously, misrepresents his character, and does not advance his true nature and reputation in society.

The third commandment tells us to be cautious when using God's name. We are to use his name properly in everyday conversation, refraining from meaningless usages. We are never to use his name in an empty fashion and especially when expressing anger. Let's help others realize God is special by using his name meaningfully in conversation, and by asking others to refrain from using his name in meaningless ways; and, of course, by telling them why.