Respect His Name

Before we begin today’s devotion . . .

I want to say a special thank-you to everyone who supported our year-end financial challenge in preparation of this exciting new year of ministry.

And if you haven’t, it’s not too late. Your donation today allows us reach even more people in 2015—through radio, TV, crusade evangelism, Harvest America, and online resources like this daily devotion. Will you help?

Yes, I’ll invest in the gospel!

(Your gift today counts toward our 2014 goal, but must be reported for tax purposes as a 2015 contribution.)

Friday, January 2, 2015

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.”—Exodus 20:7

Do you care about your name? Do you like it when people slander you or say things that aren’t true about you? Have you ever had that happen? I have. No one enjoys that. We want to protect our name. The Bible says that “a good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold” (Proverbs 22:1).

God cares about His name, too. And He tells us, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain” (Exodus 20:7). The words in vain literally could be translated “in an empty, idle, insincere, frivolous way.”

So how do people take the Lord’s name in vain? One obvious way is profanity. Isn’t it interesting how people use the name of Jesus Christ so often? Even nonbelievers, in their spiritually deadened state, know there is something different about the name of Jesus. We don’t hear people exclaiming, “Buddha!” or “Hare Krishna!” In a backhanded way, nonbelievers acknowledge the power of Jesus even when they’re misusing His name.

Another way people take His name in vain is by saying “I swear to God.” Jesus said, “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one” (Matthew 5:37). Your word should be enough.

Let me add another way that people take God’s name in vain that’s important for us to be aware of: Saying “Oh my God” a lot. That seems to be a popular phrase now. But it’s taking God’s name in vain. The same goes for texting OMG. Don’t do that. Don’t use God’s name in an empty way.

God cares about His name, and so should we.

Radio Program: “Angels and Demons, Part 1 — I”
TV Program: “The Gift of Christmas”
Bible Reading: Genesis 3-5, Luke 2
Donate to Harvest

Used by permission from Harvest Ministries with Greg Laurie, PO Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514.

Share:

More Posts

Faithful

Faithful

The Bible saying, “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least

Who do you serve?

Who do you serve?

In our daily lives, we make decisions that ultimately define who we serve. While some may argue that they serve both God

Cheating

Cheating

In Genesis 31:14-16, we see Rachel and Leah discussing the dishonest and deceitful actions of their father, Laban.

Greed

Greed

Acts 5:2-3 tells the story of Ananias and Sapphira, who sold a piece of property but kept back part of the profits

Send Us A Message