There are times when it is acceptable to state, for the record, your accomplishments. I recently heard a woman address a congressional sub-committee and she started out with her name and a list of the organizations she is involved in. She owns a company with her husband and also runs a non-profit and political action group and she shared that in an attempt to lay a foundation for why the members of this congressional subcommittee should listen to her.
When God started out with the 10 Commands in Exodus 20 He did the same thing.
"I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery."
Pretty impressive. Mine goes something like, "I am your husband, who rescued you from all those other losers..." It doesn't get me near as much attention and respect as I think it should. What God doesn't mention is how He did the rescuing, plagues, parting of the sea, destruction of Egypt's entire army, manna, quail, waters turned sweet and water from a rock, just to name a few. I think they probably remembered that part.
Now that God established who it was that was talking and why they should listen He goes on.
- You shall have no other gods before Me.
- You shall not make for yourself and idol to worship or serve.
- You shall not take the Name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His Name in vain.
Boom.
I think God can say the same thing to me and you too. I am the Lord, who brought you out of the land of sin, shame and guilt, out of the house of punishment, wrath and death.
So how do we do with the first three commands?
Honestly, we do put other things before God.
- Our kids or spouse
- Our "toys"
- Our hobbies
- Our wants (we call them needs usually)
- Our warm bed on cold Sunday mornings
- Our finances - by how we use them
Number two we don't really have a problem with, I don't know too many christians who are out in their garages casing idols or carving them.
But number three is a problem.
I know what you're saying, "OMG, are you serious?!" Yes. Yes I am.
What do you think using the Name of the Lord in vain means? It means using his Name in a manner that is beneath Him as the Holy creator, God. So if you are not speaking to Him or about Him in a manner worthy OF Him you are breaking the third command.
His Name is Holy. And anyone who uses His Name in a manner unworthy of Him will NOT go unpunished BY Him.
So the next time you say God's Name in anger or frivolity remember number 3 and DON'T!
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