Foundations for Success > Third Commandment

Do Not Use God's Name Irreverently

God is not a Prefix

Words are powerful. Most of us remember those friends, teachers or family members who told us that we were stupid or ugly or fat or "not-college-material." We also remember those who believed in us, who supported us, who told us we were special or that we were talented. Certainly, the potency of the comment--be it positive or negative--was largely based on the value or importance of the person behind the words. However, the words themselves have stuck with us all these years.

On the other hand, most of us have also had the painful experience of seeking to say something kind or supportive only to realize the person with whom we were speaking had translated our words in a way that caused them pain. Such times are confusing for us because while our words were clear to us (as was our intent), they were just as clear to the offended party! Of course there are those times where the pain is caused by our conflicting signals: the mouth is saying something that our lives or our demeanor are contradicting.

In another context, how many of us have discarded or ignored compliments from certain people? Sometimes we do this out of false humility, at other times we do this because we assume the person has a covert motive for being so kind. But there are also those people whose words carry little weight because they are always saying kind things to everyone no matter what the situation, no matter who the person is or what they have done. Whether accurate or not, we believe that the words appear to be used so flippantly, that the words are worthless.

Words are containers that seek to carry meaning or information from one person to another. Agreed upon definitions help us place parameters around words so that their meaning does not leak out, leaving the word weak and its meaning opaque. The more careful and precise we are in our choices of words, the greater the potential for clear communication. The more we ascertain exactly what is being heard--as compared to what is being said--the more hope there is for a successful communication.

The Bible is filled with instruction concerning the proper or wise use of words. The book of Proverbs tells us that too many words can lead to serious problems, that words can pierce like a sword or pour heating oil on a wounded soul. In his letter to the Colossians, St. Paul said that we needed to season our speech with "salt," studying how best to speak to each individual. In those days, salt was a symbol for loyalty and integrity (grains of salt adhered to one another, as opposed to grains of sand or even sugar). Salt was also a valuable commodity so that a good man was "worth his salt."

Honoring the Name of God

Here in this Third Commandment we are given the very ground rule regarding the use of God's name: it must be used appropriately and reverently. It must not be used in any way that would profane His name.

Imagine for a moment someone you love dearly. Maybe this loved one is a grandparent, an aunt or uncle, or a spouse. This individual is someone whom you honor and whom you wish for others to see as you see them, believing that if they do, they will feel as you do about this person. Now, what if this person's name became a common curse word, a throwaway line at parties, a few letters used to fill up space when the mind can't find the desired word? How would you respond to this?

One of the more fascinating observations to me as I read the life of Jesus is that He never defended Himself. You could call Him names, spit on Him, whatever, and ... nothing. But if you trashed His Father you were sure to experience His wrath.

To use God's Name profanely is not just to use it as a prefix in a curse word. We also profane His name when we use it mindlessly--three letters (G-O-D) with nothing packed into them. Imagine using the Name of our Creator as meaningless white sound to cover over unwanted silence.

When we abuse God's Name, when we redefine it and use it as a word with which to express rage or disgust or hatred or as a sound with which to fill the silence, we weaken the significance of who God is to us and to those who are listening. In profaning God's Name we are actually debasing God's reputation.

How can we use the Name of God in a vain or profane manner and then turn around and seek to express love or trust or honor for God? While I am not suggesting we handle God's name as some sort of dangerous word of magical incantation, I do believe that when we debase God's name in one context we debase its use in all contexts. We cannot drain the power out of God's name by using it as a curse word on Saturday night and then expect it to have power when we seek to speak honorably in a religious service on Sunday morning.

The Person behind the Word

When we discuss the power of words we must remember that it is not only the appropriate choice of words that matter but the person behind the words. Does the individual stand behind his or her words? Does this person have a reputation for saying what he means and meaning what he says? In the words of Jesus, is their "yes" a yes and their "no" a no?

In the context of using God's name, do I live in such a way that when I speak of God people want to listen? Does my life, my life-style, support the reputation I wish God to have to those around me? Or is my life such that any mention of God is heard as a profanity?

Is it possible to never orally profane God's Name, to never use it in any irreverent manner, and yet live in such a way that when we say we are seekers or believers in God people think less of whatever "God" it is we are professing? Is this not a breach of the Third Commandment?

When a commandment tells us not to do such-and-such, I suggest that it is thereby presupposing that we are to do something else--something positive, if you will. Regarding this command, if we are not to profane God's Name, we are to do everything in our power to add to people's estimation of God's Name. In other words, we are to live in such a way as to help others see God as the God of power, truth, goodness, purity, beauty, love, and mercy. In others words our mission is to help others see God for who He really is by our example. (Mt 5:15-16)

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