Ryan Kelly:
If taking God's name in vain means using it frivolously or insincerely, then the third commandment speaks to more than just overt profanity. It also applies to the more common, more culturally acceptable phrases like "Oh God!" or "Oh my God!" I sense that some of us have let down our guard. I suspect that some of us have let the world's saturated use of these phrases shape us.
Granted, it is possible to speak the words "Oh God" or "Oh my God" and not sin. These words may begin a prayer at a moment of shocking tragedy. Imagine a mother finding her son with a near-fatal injury. She may look upward and cry "Oh my God!" as a pregnant prayer that implies a need for divine help. But surely that tragic scenario is a world away from today's thoughtless, needless uses. These phrases litter the speech we hear. Surely "OMG!" are three of the most frequently typed letters on social media and in texts. These are useless, thoughtless fillers used for anything and everything that is barely amusing or surprising.
Let's be clear, Christian: these common phrases are using God's name emptily, frivolously, insincerely. It's no surprise when the world steals from God's honor, but as for us, these things ought not to be. We must not rationalize and say, "It's just one word; God knows my heart; he knows I don't mean anything blasphemous." The third commandment is in fact about a word, a name. More than that, it is about God's honor. God's name isn't empty, frivolous, or insincere; indeed, God isn't empty, frivolous, or insincere. We must not treat him as such, whether in our hearts or in our speech.
This is not a point that good Christians can and do disagree on, like the use of alcohol, or celebrating Halloween, or using off-color words like crap. This one is more black and white than whether you should designate that receipt as a tax deduction or not. God reveals his holy names in the Bible, and we cannot borrow them for frivolous, useless speech.
Applied positively, the third commandment calls us to speak of and sing to God accurately, thoughtfully, descriptively, reverently, and worshipfully. Space won't permit exploring those applications of the third commandment, but the mere mention of them should add weight to this whole discussion. They hopefully add depth and dimension to God's own resolve: "I will be jealous for my holy name" (Ezek. 39:25). And praise God that the preceding words in that verse contain another divine resolve: "I will . . have mercy." What hope for broken sinners: God rests his promise of mercy to us on his very name—his jealous, holy name.
Read the rest.
2 comments:
I couldn't agree with this post more. I work in a completely non-Christian office context; they were raised 'nominal' Catholic, where this type - and more explicit - utterances are nearly continuous. They are aware of my position and TRY to refrain (sometimes barely) or change the expletive slightly that they were about to utter so they don't think it is as offensive to me. (It still is) I struggle constantly with what to say that indicates I'm more concerned with their heart attitudes (which show no evidence of changing) than the specific words that they say - or try to avoid saying because I am present - I expect pagans to act like pagans.
Might you have some advice as to what I could say, that doesn't come off as 'preachy' and 'judgmental'? It might also help to know that I have children older than the people I work for (they are friends of my youngest daughter and they asked me to come out of retirement to help with their accounting) and, in spite of what they see as my 'religious' quirkiness, I am highly regarded for my work ethic and integrity (they have none). Although I have not directly addressed this issue, I am very forthright in stating my position on any and all topics that come up in conversation or they see in the news/TV/internet.
Or should I just keep my mouth shut and continue to serve them in spite of it?
But who said that 'God' is the name of God? Is this the name He gave to Moses when he asked WHO should he say sent him to the Pharaoh/Hebrews? As far as I know, no. I'm a Christian but I've never understood Christianity's prohibition of this. Care to enlighten a brother?
Post a Comment