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It’s Not About Expletives
There is a misunderstanding about what it means to take the Lord’s name in vain. The general public believes it means to attach swearwords to His name. Of course, it’s good not to attach those expletives; however, it’s not really what it means. Here’s a clue: those have taken His name in vain, probably use those expletives more than those who haven’t.
The Phrase Defines the Meaning
Exodus 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.
This is first place this phrase is used in Scripture, and it doesn’t mention cusswords. What does it mean to take His name in vain? The word, take, means to lift (Strong’s Concordance number 5375) and carries a number of meanings. In this instance it means to receive, and may include accept or bear. Another way to say it is, “Thou shalt not receive the name of the Lord thy God in vain.” One could also say accept, or bear the Lord’s name in vain. When you received Jesus as Lord and Savior, you received His name as well. You are called by His name.
Vain (Strong’s Concordance number 7723) means literally ruin. Morally, it conveys guile (deceit, duplicity), and used in relation to lying. It also pertains to idolatry, or that which is false, useless, or deceptive. It denotes falsehood, or a lie. Moreover, it expresse emptiness, or nothingness. For instance, an empty promise is synonymous with a vain promise. Another possible rendering for this passage is, Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God falsely. One could also say, “Utter not the name of the Lord upon a falsehood.”
Denying His Name Carries the Same Meaning
Proverbs 30:7-15 Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.
It is obvious that we are able to deny the name of the Lord by what we say, do, or even fail to do. This verse reveals it carries the same weight as taking His name in vain. Simply put: when one claims to be a Christian or disciple of Jesus, and yet lives contrary to His ways, he has taken His name in vain. This is known as a hypocrite, and by definition, it is an actor. One who pretends to be someone he or she is not. It has to do with intentions. Having the occasional hypocritical moment is not the same thing. Christians have been known to behave contrary to what’s actually in their heart.
When a disciple has an oops moment, he or she repents. Hypocrites will not; although, God does give them space to repent. In short, saying one is a Christian and actually being one can be two different things. Here’s where it gets dicey:
But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven (Matthew 10:33).
Ultimate Vanity
There are some who have taken the name of the Lord in vain in its worst form. Some have claimed His name, but were of the spirit of antichrist.
1 John 2:18-19 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
Read all of 1 John, Hebrews 10:19-39, along with the book of Jude, and you’ll get a better understanding of what it really means to take His name in vain. They define what it is to deny Jesus in the truest sense.
This is not a light issue; nonetheless, those who are true disciples of Jesus Christ need not fear. Our call is to continue in the faith. Remember, God is able to keep you from falling.
Jude 1:24-25 Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
