It's Only A Name Series

Names = CHARACTER

Because names are important, we don’t use God’s name in a:

PROFANE or VAIN way

- in our SPEECH

- **what comes out of our mouths

equals what’s in our HEARTS **

Mt. 12:34; Mt. 15:18; Lk. 6:45

- in our ACTIONS

"vain" = CARRY

Amos 2:7 Ez. 36: 16-23

We opened with a drama that spoke to the weight that names carry in our society. Names are imporatant because names equal character. When we say the name Billy Graham we think of something. When we say Gary Condit the names bring an image of character to our minds. You can think of many examples to use here. The Bible puts great emphasis on names. Prov. 22:1 and Ecc. 7:1 are two verses to use here. God changed peoples names in the Bible because names are important. You can go through the many biblical examples here. Transition sentence: Because names are important, when don’t use God’s name in a profane or vain way.

Pro means out and fanum means temple. Profane means to take out of the temple and use in a unholy way. Vain means empty or meaningless. We use God’s name in a profane or vain way:

In our SPEECH

"GD or JC" This is the common way this commandment has been understood. Some people say that I just slipped or it was a slip of the tongue. The Bible tells us time and time again that what comes out of the mouth is an indication of whats in our hearts. It’s a slip of the heart, not a slip of the tongue.

In our ACTIONS

This is what God is really getting at in this commandment. He says not to take his name and not live a life that is worthy of the name. "Take" is just as easily translated "carry." He says do not carry my name in vain. I will not hold you guiltless if you carry my name in a empty or meaningless way. EZ. 36 will knock you socks off here, as will Amos 2:7. 2Tim 2:19