First, do you use the Lord's name in vain? Do you say, "Oh my ~~~!" (I can't even type it.) If so, why?
Once when I was very young I heard some friends use the expression. So like most kids, I tried it out too. My dad was careful to correct me and said we shouldn't even say gosh. I took it to heart. So much so that I would rarely even say God in respectful conversation about Him.
Third Commandment:
"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."
Second, should we say something to those who use His name in vain? If so, what?
Should we say anything to unbelievers?
I would love to have a Christ-like, God-honoring response especially to believers. So think about it and let me know what you think. Thanks!!
5 comments:
If the person is a believer... ABSOLUTELY! In an honest and loving way, ofcourse. It's wrong to remain silent concering the sins of others. I had a friend correct me once when I said "Geez!" He told me that I was using the Lord's name in vain in a shortened form. (Short for Jesus) I hadn't realized this and was glad for the correction. It was done in love and he had my best interest in mind. We should approach other believers the same way.
In the case of non-belivers... if it's a person you know, I believe it's okay to ask for that respect. A friend should care how you feel, even if they don't exactly agree with you.
Non-believers you don't know? That's tough. It's tempting to say something.... but what??
first - I'm major guilty of this. my most frequent one when I get frustrated I say, "good lord child". Not meaning any disrespect to Him - but more automatic, like waving when you see someone or slowing down when you drive past a police car. I think we (believers) get into habits - we lighten curse words, we forget the sabbath, we disrespect our folks, we judge others and gossip to our closest friends ... but we're not making any major sins - like adultery, murder, etc.
we start to legalize as "not that bad" but forget God sees all sin the same.
As for non-believers, I've totally called out one of Thad's clients. He cursed all the time and when he said "GD" I finally said "okay, that's enough please don't say THAT". When people would say Oh my ..." My dad would always say, "he's my God too".
As far as non-believers you don't know - I'd think that'd be easier, because you're not burning a friendship. You're just some crazy bible beating spook to them.
I have never ever wanted to take the Lord's name in vain and we never allow "oh my G.." to be said, however, we do say oh my goodness, or oh my word. Would the Lord truly see these things as being blasphemous? I'm sure he sees our heart and realizes our intentions...right?
I like laytonfamily's dad's response, "He's my God too."
I wrote "You're just some crazy bible beating spook to them" I should have written, "WE are just crazy bible beating spooks to them". Not "you" Jenny personally.
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