VAIN AND EMPTY REFERENCES TO GOD!

© 2015 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)

God demands that we never refer to Him without a deep awe of who He is.

“Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain” (Exodus 20:7).

What does this mean? The word “vain,” used above, is a Hebrew word which we would pronounce “shawv.” It means emptiness (of speech) or worthlessness. When we allow words to escape our lips without much thought, our speech becomes an empty and meaningless string of clichés, even to ourselves. God absolutely forbids such automatic and mindless references to Himself.

How often have you heard someone exclaim “Oh my …” as they refer to God? Do you do this? Does His name roll off your tongue automatically, with almost no thought? Such references to God are vain and empty.

Are you a professing Christian whose lips speak His name before your heart seriously contemplates His majesty? When you are surprised by something, does God’s name roll off your tongue automatically as an empty exclamatory remark? Such behavior is not appropriate for a child of God! Let me suggest that, if you feel a need to make an exclamation, do not use God’s name to do it. Perhaps you could just say “Wow!” Reserve references to God for expressing awe at His majesty.

Whenever referring to God, we should do so only with a deep and reverent fear of who He is.

“And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” (Job 28:28).

The early church was characterized by “walking in the fear of the Lord” (Acts 9:31).

As Christians, whenever we refer to God, we should do so only with an appreciation of the fact that, without His mercy, we could expect only His wrath upon our sinfulness. Whenever we refer to God, we should never do so without contemplating the fact that our Lord Jesus Christ, God The Son, came to shed His blood in order to purchase forgiveness of our sins (Matthew 1:21).

If you are unsaved, be aware that each of your exclamatory references to this Holy God further builds His wrath to come upon you.

Are you guilty? Repent and ask Christ for mercy!

 

For another article on this topic see OH MY DINGLEMOG!

For a related article see AWESOME!

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