INTRODUCTION
Paul Dickinson has written a book called Names. He has a hobby of collecting strange and unusual names. Sometimes, he says names seem to be prophetic. In 1941 there were two men who were executed in the electric chair in Florida and their names were Will Burn and Will Frizzle. There was a window washer in Montreal who fell while he was washing windows and died. His name was Will Drop. Others he said seemed destined for certain occupations. Dan Druff became a barber. Jeff Treadwell became a Podiatrist. Goforth and Ketchum, two guys became police partners. O’Neil and Pray became partners in church equipment. Zoltan Ovary, a gynecologist. P.P. Peters became a urologist. A plaster contractor was named Will Crumble.
What’s in a name? God says a lot when it is His name. That’s what the third Commandment is all about. Why is God so sensitive about His name? Your name represents three things: (1) Reputation – “He’s making a name for himself” or, “He’s got a good name.” When I say a name you automatically think of his/her reputation, such as: Sadaam Hussien, Hitler, Mother Theresa, Billy Graham. (2) Character – It represents your being once you have established yourself. Bible names often had to do with character. Achan’s name meant trouble. Jacob’s name meant supplanter or trickster until his character was changed and God changed his name to Israel meaning God rules. (3) Authority – When you speak concerning things under your influence it carries authority. You might more nearly heed the advice of Gary Price if he is speaking about the law than you would, say, Mike Tyson. You might put your trust more safely in something that Billy Graham says about the end of the world than by, say, Nostradomus. Names carry authority.
When we think of misusing God’s name or using His name in vain, we think of swearing. Swearing is a real bad use of God’s name but it is not the only bad use of His name. Here are some different ways you can use God’s name in vain:
I. USING GOD’S NAME IN VAIN
A. You Can Use God’s Name to Insult
This is swearing or using profanity when irritated. America is the most foul-mouthed nation in the world and becoming more so. Hollywood thinks a movie won’t sell if it is not loaded with profanity. They don’t believe the public wants to see a “G” rated movie so they throw in lots of bad language or violence or sex to get an “R” rating. The language may have nothing to do with the story. It’s true of books, magazines and records as well.
Profanity is a part of the sports scene as well. Somebody said if cussing and cheating are crimes then golf should be illegal. There was a farmer who was late coming home for dinner. His wife said, “Did the wagon break down?” The farmer said, “No, on the way home I picked up the preacher and from that point on the mule didn’t understand a thing I said.”
Why do people swear? They think they are more macho but they really lack emotional control. But, any idiot can swear. It takes discipline to not swear. Maturity in a believer’s life is seen by the language he uses.
B. You Can Use God’s Name to Indulge
“God doesn’t want me to cut the grass today.” “I didn’t feel led to get out of bed.” “God doesn’t want me to honor that contract.”
Using God for a cover to indulge yourself. We excuse ourselves and blame god for it. “I know I said I would finish that job for you but God has given me more important things to do now.”
C. You Can Use God’s Name to Intimidate
Some people are good at this. “God told me what you should do.” “I believe God wants you to lend me money.” Some TV evangelists are good at this except they don’t say “lend.” They might say, God has told me that if you don’t send our ministry $1000 today we will have to go off the air.”
Parents will use this against their kids, “If you don’t stop that God will get you.” Intimidation.
One spouse to another, “I’ve prayed about this and I believe god wants us to have a new car, a Mercedes.”
This amounts to forgery. Forgery is when someone uses another’s name to get something they want. There are a lot of spiritual forgeries taking place. “God told me…” Illus. When I was called to one church one man told me, “ I didn’t vote against you coming but I need to tell you that God told me you weren’t the right man for the job.” It was a unanimous vote by the church and I had confirmation in my spirit that it was indeed God’s will. This man was guilty of “spiritual forgery.”
Be careful about speaking for God.
D. You Can Use God’s Name to Impress
“Bless God, that was a great sermon, hallelujah, thank you Jesus.” Insecure believers do this a lot. They try to prove how spiritual they are by their jargon. Talk doesn’t impress me; it’s the walk that impresses.
Titus 1:16
16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him
We take God’s name in vain when claim to be committed to Him but don’t back it up with our life. You can talk to winos on the street who can quote scripture and sound spiritual.
E. You Can Use God’s Name Impulsively
Many of us are guilty of this. To express surprise or amazement you might say, “Oh my God!” or “Sweet Mary, mother of Jesus.”
This reduces God to an exclamation point. God wants us to take His name seriously. Don’t use his name flippantly. It’s just as flippant to say, “Heaven, yes!” as it is to say, “Hell, no!”
Using God’s name impulsively means without thinking. We do this all the time in church. Have you ever sung a song about Jesus and your mind is on something else. Preachers are the worst at this. If you ever go to a preacher’s conference or convention watch them when they sing. They will hold the book and sing every word but they are looking around to see who they can see or analyze what another brother might be thinking.
God says, “These people worship me with their lips but their hearts are far from me.”
Also, Jesus said, “When you pray, don’t use meaningless repetition.” (or words). How often do we pray the same prayer, say for a meal? Or, if we are praying we keep using God’s name in the prayer while we’re trying to think of other things to pray about. Like, “Dear Jesus, we want to thank you, God, for the nice day, dear Lord. And Father, we thank you, God for all you do, O Lord.” Instead of saying his name over and over while we’re thinking of what else to pray why not just stop. God understands silence.
God’s name is holy and is to be used seriously. He said this is one of my Great Commandments. Don’t use His name in vain.
(We’ve talked about using God’s name in vain, now let’s talk about using God’s name with value.)
II. USING GOD’S NAME WITH VALUE
There are promises throughout the Bible for those who use God’s name properly. How do we use God’s name correctly?
A. Reverence God’s Name Continually
Use it carefully, with respect, lovingly. Use it as an act of worship. Don’t be flippant. When you say “God”, mean it in your heart.
Psalm 29:2 “Give to the Lord the glory due His name.”
How does it strike you when your hear God’s name used in vain? All of us would be shocked if people cursed in church. But we are to be in his presence all week I like the old song, “Take the name of Jesus with you.”
We should avoid places where God’s name is used in vain.
We should defend the name of God when we have opportunity, but with grace. (Illus – I almost got in a fight in Florida once when my kids were small because a man was cursing in front of my family.)
B. Represent God’s Name Clearly
2 Timothy 2:19
19 "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity." NKJV Another translation says, “A person who calls himself a Christian should not be doing things that are wrong.”
If you call yourself a believer, act like one. Don’t drag the name of Jesus with you through the gutter. Your walk should match your talk.
The greatest hindrance to lost people being saved is not that they don’t understand the gospel but that they don’t understand the people who claim to be Christians and live like they do.
C. Rely On God’s Name Completely
Psalms 33:21
21 For our heart shall rejoice in Him,
Because we have trusted in His holy name.
The Bible says, “Whatever you do, do it in the name of the Lord.”
It says, “If you ask anything in My name I will do it.”
Why do we pray in Jesus’ name? Because we don’t have any right to come into God’s presence in our own name. Jesus is the bridge.
Acts 4:12
12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
John 20:31
31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
CLOSING
How many of you when you were kids got your mouth washed out with soap? It might help for a little while but it doesn’t fix the problem of bad talking. Why? The problem is not in the mouth but in the heart. What’s inside of you will come out. For instance, if you squeeze a tube of toothpaste what do you expect to come out? Toothpaste right, unless some one has sabotaged the tube. When the world squeezes you what comes out?
When I’m filled with love and peace and the world squeezes love and peace come out. When I’m filled with bitterness and meanness and the world squeezes, that’s what comes out.
How do you fix the problem?
First, you need to tell God you’re sorry and apologize for misusing His name. Ask for His forgiveness.
Then, give him your heart and your mouth. Start controlling the input to your head and heart. The language you listen to, the places you go.
Then, practice His presence. You wouldn’t usually use someone’s name in vain if they were standing beside you.
Ask him to help you and He will.
