The Misunderstood Commandment

I grew up in a very traditional church environment where I was told it was a sin to swear and to “use God's name in vain” and the like. I was told that rock and roll music was of the devil and that smoking was a sin. Very traditional. Not that it was always wrong, but it did teach me to ask questions. When I read the context, for instance, of the verse often used to claim smoking is a sin – “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?” (1 Cor 6:19) – I realized the context of that text was sexual sin, and that if you take the logic of “your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit” to conclude it refers to health matters, then you’d have to conclude that eating Twinkies and attending church potlucks were sins as well.

So I ask questions. Recently I heard a sermon that included that “Don’t use God's name in vain” concept. It has often bugged me. We take it to mean, “Never say the word ‘God’ in a flippant or swearing manner. Maybe … but … there are problems with that. First, God’s name is not “God.” His name is YHWH. That’s the name He gave Moses when he asked. “God” isn’t a name; it’s a title. So if I ask, “What is King Charles III’s name?” you wouldn’t say, “King.” That’s his title. So it is with “God.” Not a name. The deeper issue is not the misuse of the noun we use to designate Him. He’s concerned with being regarded as holy. Biblically the use of the term “name” isn’t a reference to a noun that designates a person, but to the person’s character, authority, and presence. When we pray in Jesus’ name, it’s not accomplished by tacking, “In Jesus’ name, amen” at the end. The object is to pray in His will (1 John 5:14). The point is to abide in Him and have His character in you (John 15:7), not just the noun, “Jesus.”

If my assessment is accurate, then, taking the name of God in vain isn’t primarily about using “God” as a swear word. It’s about making false oaths supported by a call to God. It’s about using His name (His character and authority) to manipulate others (like, “God told me …”). It’s attaching God’s name to actions that contradict His character. If we are His representatives, it’s about representing Him falsely and doing things that dishonor Him. To take God’s name in vain is to invoke, carry, or represent His name in a way that is false, empty, manipulative, or inconsistent with His holiness.

Suddenly “Don’t use God's name in vain” becomes a much more serious thing than trying not to use the wrong word when you bang your finger with a hammer. It’s about living a life that rightly reflects His character. If we take the name “Christian” and don’t reflect Christ, we’re guilty of violating that commandment.