The Ten Commandments
Second Commandment
Don’t take God’s name in vain.
Honoring God’s Name
Review
1st Commandment
“You shall have no other gods before me.”
God is #1
What does this mean?
We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.
Your name stands for your character and reputation.
2nd Commandment
MISUSING GOD’S NAME IS “SIN”
“You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless [It is a sin] who misuses his name.”
-Exodus 20:7 (NIV)
“You shall not take [“carry or bare” his name in vain.] the name of the Lord your God in vain…” (KJV)
[“Vain” = producing no beneficial result; useless.]
Ways of Breaking the 2nd Commandment
1. When a person uses God’s name in Swear words.
[Not actually thinking about God as his name is spoken]
2. When a person waters down God’s name, reducing it down to the status of every other word.
[“Oh, my God!”, “Oh God!”, “Jesus Christ!”]
vs
[“Oh, man!”, “Oh my gosh”, “Oh, my goodness!” “Jeez!”, “Wow!”, “Fantastic!”]
3. When a person, in the process of trying to convince someone of something, is actually knowingly lying and being deceitful.
[“I swear to God”]
“‘Do not swear falsely by my NAME and so profane the NAME of your God. I am the Lord.”
-Leviticus 19:12
4. When a person misrepresents God by saying or doing things “in the name of God” when actually it is for their own good, gain or benefit.
[This is the worst]
“You shall not take [“carry or bare” his name in vain.] the name of the Lord your God in vain…” ie Clergy abuse, Christian telemarketing schemes, False theology, “Sowing seeds of faith”, etc.
“Christian” – Those who have been given a revelation by God and follow Jesus Christ.
“The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.”
-Acts 11:26
False Prophets
Speaking falsely on God’s behalf.
“Say to those who prophesy out of their own imagination … Woe to the foolish/wicked prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing! … 6 Their visions are false and their divinations a lie.”
-Ezekiel 13:2-6
“A prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, is to be put to death.”
-Deuteronomy 18:20
Jesus said; “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. ”
-Matthew 7:15
How to properly use God’s name
•In Prayer (ACTS)
[Adore, Confess, Thank, Stuff]
•In Praise
“I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies.”
–Psalm 118:3
“… whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
-1 Corinthians 10:31
“God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the NAME that is above every NAME, that at the NAME of Jesus every knee should… and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
– Philippians 4:8-11
“You may ask me for anything in my name, [Jesus] and I will do it.”
-John 14:14
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