It’s God’s Name…Respect It!

   Jehovah, the I AM, Lord, Holy, Reverend, Almighty, Creator, God … all of these and more are names by which the God of Heaven is known, identified, distinguished, and honored. I called Himself by these names and forbid mankind to use these names like his. Further, Jehovah said, “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.” (Exodus 20:7; Deuteronomy 5:11). Within Levitical law, God said, “And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 19:12) But with the Old Law concluded with the death of Christ, the New Law must guide us. What does it say about the use of God’s name(s)? Jesus said, “Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” (Matthew 5: 33 – 37) The inspired James wrote, “But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.” (James 5:12)

   Still, there are those whose sinful use of God’s name as well as the use of “four-letter words” that should never come from the mouths of Christians or any other mouth, are evidenced in “everyday language.” The apostle Peter knew such “gutter talk” was identified with those opposing Christ, and so he used it to avoid persecution from those opposing Christ (Matthew 26:74) Such sinful use of God’s name never profited anyone!

   When one swears, one shows ignorance; at the very least it shows a gross lack of knowledge in English vocabulary! The Scriptures are void of any approved example of sinfully using the name of God, even when expressing excitement, surprise, or any other emotion! The use of “OMG” is just as sinful! Just because it’s “socially acceptable” doesn’t grant God’s approval! Slang doesn’t get us any farther from this sin. As one brother used to say, “Euthenisms are just second-hand cussing.” Muse of the RESPECT owed Jehovah God, the Almighty. If those thoughts alone don’t bring us to humility and reverence of Him, then I muse on what will. It’s HIS name. Let’s respect it and all that He is!