Taking His Name in Vain or Victory
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A name is important. Don’t name your child Dan if your last name is Druff. If your last name is Poole, don’t name your son Gene. Don’t name a girl Marsha if her last name is Mellow.
What’s in a name? A name is associated with character and identity. Respecting the name is equal to respecting the person. In the Bible people chose names with care. The Hebrews placed far more emphasis on the names they gave their children than we do today
God did not allow Mary and Joseph the chance to name our Lord. God sent an angel with divine instruction, “Thou shalt call His Name Jesus.”
The Name is important.
THE COMMANDMENT OF THE NAME
Is it possible to take the Name of the Lord in vain and not realize it?
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)
Some look at the Ten Commandments and only see the “Thou shalt not” phrases. Look deeper—the Commandments are filled with a powerful and positive message. The positive message of the 3rd Commandment is: If you can take the Name of the Lord in vain, then you can also take His Name in victory!
The 3rd Commandment is not dealing with profanity and swearing, there are other Scriptures that cover these topics. Taking the Name of the Lord thy God in vain refers to how one appropriates that worthy Name to their life. This commandment has more to do with how one lives rather than what one says.
The root meaning for the phrase “in vain” means to rush over; emptiness, vanity, falsehood; emptiness of speech, or treating something as worthless.
Taking the Name in vain is wasting the power in that Name. To misuse and abuse God’s Name is to attack His character. Calling on His name means you believe He has the power to do what you’ve asked.
WAYS TO TAKE HIS NAME IN VICTORY
John 1:12 – But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Acts 10:43 - that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
Mark 16:17 – And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
John 14:12-14 – And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do,
Matthew 18:20 - For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Colossians 3:17 – And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
James 5:14-15 – Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
Psalm 124:8 - Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
Acts 4:12 – Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Matthew 1:21 – And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Acts 2:38 – Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
The Name is associated with Salvation. Jesus means “Jehovah saves.” To exclude the name of Jesus from salvation—in my estimation—is taking His name in vain. If one’s lifestyle doesn’t change after they have appropriated it in salvation, then they are taking His Name in vain.
GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY?
Can a person be baptized in the Name of the Lord in vain? What would we think of a woman who takes on her husbands name in marriage, but refuses to live with him? She has essentially taken his name in vain.
God holds those who take His Name in vain accountable. The 3rd Commandment states, “for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” If we take the Name of Jesus in baptism then we must like in the character and authority of that Name.
Taking the Name of the Lord in victory and not in vain is not optional; it is a commandment!
(This post is an exert from the Ten Commandment Study Series)