What does it mean to use the Lord’s name in vain? This is a question that might seem self-evident to most people in western society. Whether you are religious or not, you would not even hesitate with your answer, “It means to say G-D.” I am sure that there are more people that can answer this than there are who can list the ten commandments, name the Gospels, or tell you the difference between the New Testament and the Old Testament. With all the talk about cursing pastors and the evolution of swearing going on in the blogsphere, I thought that I would try to contribute once more to this discussion by asking the question “What does it really mean to take the Lord’s name in vain?”
Obviously, I am going to say something that is at odds with the common conception among those of us who grew up in the context of our western Judeo-Christian culture, otherwise I would not have included the word “really,” and put it in italics! The reader must also be warned that I am going to use a phrase that is very offensive to many. I am assuming that I am dealing with a mature audience who understands the intentionality that I bring to this blog (most of the time!). If what I am proposing here is correct, we all need to hear this in order to overcome a serious issue of folk theology that damages the character of God and misrepresents what it means to talk in a Christian manner.
For most, the ultimate violation of the third commandment, “You shall not take the Lord your God’s name in vain,” is to say “God damn it.” You can use just about every other word or phrase, no matter how bad, but when your vulgarity includes the utilization of this phrase, many would believe that you have crossed the line. You might even be charged with blasphemy. Some people will stand before God and when asked “Why should I let you in to heaven?” will proudly say, “Because I did not murder, commit adultery, and I never said “the G-D word.” (Please note, I don’t think God is going to ask that question.)
I believe we have this wrong. In fact, from a purely objective standpoint, I don’t believe that this phrase causes God to bat an eye whatsoever. Think about it this way for a moment. Why would calling on God to damn something be so bad? What does the verb “damn” mean? The American Heritage Dictionary defines the verb “to damn” as “the act of pronouncing an adverse judgement upon.” To call upon God to damn something is neither sinful nor unbiblical. In fact, you can find people throughout Scripture, especially in the Psalms, who call upon God to bring judgement on their enemies. In other words, they are asking for God to damn those who they feel are ripe for His judgement. In this sense, saying “God damn _____” is as biblical as saying “God bless _____.”
Some may say to me the reason why this is a violation of the third commandment is because people are using God’s name in a “vain,” “worthless,” or “empty” way. In this case, to say “God damn it!” in our colloquial tongue is not the same as seriously calling upon God to damn something or someone. For these people, if you say it seriously, fine, but if you say it casually, then you have used His name in an empty way and thereby broken the third commandment.
But there are three major problems with this line of reasoning:Â
1) “God” is not the name of God, but a common phrase used to refer to deities in general. How can a generic classification be considered a formal name? It would be like you saying that my name is “person.” God gives His name to Moses in the book of Exodus. His name is Yahweh. Would you have the same offense if someone were to stub their toe and say “Yahweh damn it!”? I doubt it.
2) If the principle that we are going by is that we are not to use God’s name and not really mean it, then I believe that we are very inconsistent in what we take offense to as a culture. Why don’t people get offended when others say “God bless you?” Do you think that every time someone says this that they really mean it? Do you think that in their mind they are talking to God, beseeching on your behalf for a blessing? Just about every email I get ends with the phrase, “God bless.” I seriously doubt that that person actually said a prayer for me before he or she hit send. If this is the case, then why is saying “God bless you” not just as much a violation of the third commandment as saying “God damn you?” Is it more biblical to ask for God’s kindness or judgment? I don’t think anyone who is honest with themselves can say that they are consistent in this regard. Saying “God damn it” and not meaning it should be just as bad as saying “God bless you” and not meaning it.
3) This is the most important so I have saved it for last. In fact, if what I am about to say is true, then the first two don’t really make a difference. The question is this: What does it mean to use God’s name in an empty or vain way? What does the third commandment really mean? It is hard to tell from a simple word study on the Hebrew term naqa (vain). As well, our understanding of a “name” and what it signifies is much different than what it meant in the context in which this commandment was given. What we have to do is to try to understand what it meant then, so that we can understand what it means now. It does us no good to anachronistically impose our understanding upon an ancient text. This is eisegesis (reading into the text what we presuppose), not exegesis (letting the text speak on its own terms).
Briefly, here is what I believe your studies will show. The nations to which the Israelites were going had many gods. They were highly superstitious. Their prophets would often use the name of their god in pronouncements. The usage could be in a curse, hex, or even a blessing. They would use the name of their god to give their statements, whatever they may be, authority. To pronounce something in their own name would not have given their words much weight, but to pronounce something in the name of a god meant that people would listen and fear. They may have said, “In the name of Baal, there will be no rain for 40 days.” Or “In the name of Marduk, I say that you will win this battle.” This gave the prophet much power and authority. But, as we know, there is no Baal or Marduk. Since this is the case, they did not really make such pronouncement and therefore the words of the prophet had no authority and should neither have been praised or feared.
God was attempting to prevent the Israelites from doing the same thing. God was saying for them not to use His name like the nations used the names of their gods. He did not want them to use His name to invoke false authority behind pronouncements. In essence, God did not want the Israelites to say that He said something that He had not said. This makes sense. God has a reputation to protect. He does not want anyone saying “Thus sayeth the Lord” if the Lord had not spoken. All of you have experienced this. You have had people say you said something you did not say. This can be very damaging to your character. It is very destructive to your name. Why? Because it makes you out to be something that you are not. How much more important is it for God to protect His character? It is fitting that God would have put this as one of the ten most important commandments as the nation of Israel moved towards Canaan.
What does this mean for us? Well, for starters we understand that the third commandment is certainly not focused on something so trivial as saying “God damn it!” The funny thing is that while some people may never think of using that phrase, people all over the Christian religious landscape are breaking the third commandment every day, damaging the Lord’s reputation. “Thus sayeth the Lord . . .” “God told me to tell you . . .” “God says that if you send in this much money, you will be blessed.” I could go on and on, but you get the point. Using the name of the Lord in vain means that you do damage to His reputation and character through false and unsure claims. Think again before you say “God said . . .” Make sure that He has really said it. If you are unsure, make your statement reflect your uncertianty. Saying “I think God is telling you to . . .” rather than “God is telling you to . . .” may not be as authoritative, but it will keep God’s reputation safe and keep you from breaking the third commandment.
As an aside, I think that this misunderstanding of the third commandment is not only sad, but tragic. If I were Satan (and I am not 🙂 ), I can’t think of a better way to trivialize such an important commandment and misrepresent the character of God than to make people focus its essence on the phrase “God damn it.”
Does this mean that I believe that we can now say this phrase and not worry about it? Not exactly. I think that using this phrase in a colloquial way is offensive in many (if not most) contexts. We don’t want to be offensive. It all comes back to being intentional with everything we say. While it is not a violation of the third commandment necessarily, it is offensive speech that must be used with wisdom and discretion.
168 replies to "Taking the Lord’s Name in Vain: What Does it Really Mean?"
This was a very thought provoking article. It makes you think there is more than just the G-d Word that He wouldn;t be happy with.
I read most of the article and from what i gathered you werent opposed very strongly against hering someone taking the lords name in vain. if one of the commandments is not to take his name in vain shouldnt we be obedient to that? If God who is jesus in the flesh tells us to love shouldnt we be obedient to that? the answer is yes. The other day i heard someone say “GD” five times and the last time i felt convicted for not saying something. so finally i did. nicely gosh dangit you mean. i understand you cant forcepeople to change but by voicing out how we feel lets people know we take God serious too. The way people say God “d” comes off as bad as profanity. i think if you can influence someone not to say it youll be a light and if you cant , you know where they stand and youll still have to be a light. God bless.
I always wondered why I hated those billboards and merchandise that would give some message like: “We need to talk. -God” or “Contrary to popular belief, I dont hate anyone who’s gay. -God” Now I know. Though the message may be true, they are representing it as a direct quote – Not only is it blasphemous for misquoting God, it’s taking His name in vain, too!
I always wondered why I hated those billboards and merchandise that would give some message like: “We need to talk. -God” or “Contrary to popular belief, I dont hate anyone who’s gay. -God” Now I know. Though the message may be true, they are representing it as a direct quote – Not only is it blasphemous for misquoting God, it’s taking His name in vain, too!
My own opinion on this is simply to follow what Christ said was the most important commandment, “Love God and love your neighbor as your self.” I think everything else falls into place if we strive just to do that.
However, just to throw a completely different slant on things, I read a book somewhere (sorry, I read too much and I can’t remember where I pick things up sometimes) where the author was arguing that the original commandment was not against taking the Lord’s name IN vain, but TO vain. His view was that the reference was to changing God’s name, which was originally YHWH (our best guess is Yahweh). According to him, that name contains great power, and the real problem is that His son’s original name contained it and His power — Yahshua. So his argument was that when the Roman Catholic church changed Christ’s name to Jesus (any name ending in -us was a reference to “son of Zeus” and they were trying to attract the Roman crowd) they were committing the sin of “taking the Lord’s name TO vain” as in denuding it of any reference to the true name of God and making it powerless.
Now, I’m sure Christ knows who all his faithful followers are and doesn’t hold anything against THEM when they call him “Jesus,” but the people who decided originally to change his name are the ones who broke the third commandment and might have a problem.
I have been calling Christ by His true name, Yahshua (they say his disciples would have shortened it to Y’shua or Yeshua) since I heard this, and I have to say, it feels better and makes me feel closer to Him. I’ve even had some extremely powerful visions of Him.
I cringe a little when I hear people talking about the power in the name of Jesus, now. After all, if he was walking down the street and someone called out, “Jesus!” he’d keep right on walking…
Thanks for clearing this up. I was brought up in the Pentecostal religion and always questioned the true meaning of things like this. When you think about it, your post really makes sense considering ‘vain’ is the root of ‘vanity’. Therefore taking the God’s name in vain, would stand to reason that it would have something to do with calling out God’s name to make yourself sound more authoritative.
Think of it like this..
God is real.
God has stated that He is the ONLY God.
As a Christian, you refer to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as God.
If the God who created all things is the only God and if you refer to God as “God” when you communicate with him, perhaps you should not use the word “God” loosely, regardless of it not being the personal name Yahweh the Son revealed in the burning bush.
When I originally left a comment I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are
added- checkbox and from now on each time a comment is added
I recieve four emails with the exact same comment.
There has to be an easy method you can remove me from that service?
Kudos!
Hey Mr. Patton,
This is the first post I read on this blog and I absolutely love it. There is nothing better than finding really sane people who actually understand what it means. I was a Hindu, and two years ago, I alone, sans anyone else in my world converted to Christianity and built up a lot of faith. People don’t take me seriously as I’m (just?) 15, but each word of what I’m writing, I understand. And there were hurdles, there were problems, people made me doubt myself and the integrity of my faith. The result was that I lost faith and I myself couldn’t believe it, resulting in a conflict situation. I was going through so many crises last year including an existential crisis too, which was horrible. Luckily, my mind somehow stabilized and I started building up my faith again, in a different way, in a much more logical, reasonable and meaningful way. And the result is that I’m normal yet again, and working hard towards being a righteous person with a balanced mind.
Earlier this day, I read some bullshit (excuse this offensive language, please) somewhere about how we all were disobeying the commandment and all. In this free time, I just searched on Bing, “What does the third commandment really mean?” and hit this link. I read each word, and it makes me feel that sanity still exists, no matter how bad those insane creatures have created a reputation of us Christians, sane people still exist. You, and many of the readers are among them.
This blog sounds interesting, and I’m definitely bookmarking it. It’s as good for me, as reading the Bible (which is just the New Testament, for me). Besides, there’s no point reading something over and over again if you’re only misunderstanding.
Have a good day, and God bless you – I actually said a little prayer 😉
Prayaas
I love anything that makes me less of a sinner.
The Bible still says not to curse, and damning someone is cursing them…
Thanks Michael, and all the contributors!
My name and yours is God’s name, forever.
You, I and all the readers represent “The Sonship” (all people and creatures of all kinds), and we carry the Holy Name of God.
Quoting Jesus’ parable of the goats (Matthew 25:40) Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
It is a false identity that believes it can attack God and will be punished through judgment of God. Of this, it is quite correct, however, God’s judgment is different from ours… in His judgment all things are perfect, as they were created, and nothing could curse them. Such beliefs are NOT of God, and will be shed through knowing God.
When we have prepared our mind to again know God, our Father, we will hear and understand His Holy Word. Until then, we’ve chosen to listen to a different voice, borne of the world’s error, and because our invented selves are arrogant, we believe we wrested power from God.
This is a self-made arrogant identity, and a believed attack on God and His Holy Children (you and I).
We use the same erred perspective to judge others, and thus, violate the 3rd commandment, believing we have the power to decide someone’s identity, forcing upon them our beliefs, casting them into “hell” (where we go also when we judge).
Our inheritance of eternity is guaranteed by our Father, so we cannot be hurt or damaged, or left without a home.
This error is the reason we must learn forgiveness that we may hear His word and to see what He wrote upon each thing, and remember our brother’s innocence.
We are God’s Children, and moreover, His One Creation. We are waking to this Truth, and each will find perfect peace to share a memory of His Love. Until then, the Holy Child will wander without knowing his True identity, unsure of where he came from, or where he is going…. and cursing each thing he sees with false judgment.
Thank you,
Anthony
I agree that you should not says “God told me to tell you…”
I disagree that using God’s name flippantly is not using it in vain. Anything that takes respect from his name is wrong. You are placing no value in his name when you say OMG or G-D. Yes, saying “God Bless You” and not meaning it would be wrong as well.
I feel that true respect for who God is has been lost in our society. We want to debate “gray” areas. I think we need to ask ourselves, before we say anything, will this be pleasing or will it bring glory to his name. If the answer is no, then don’t say it.
Very well said.thanks micheal.
I agree with Sheena on May 2. This post and the few comments I did have time for made me really think about this subject.
I admit that I wince when I hear someone say the G-D phrase. I believe we all have been given power by God, Yahweh, or what ever you choose to call the force that rules the universe. And when we use that power against the Will of our God, we separate ourselves from Him, or put another way, we sin.
We all have choices every moment of all of our lives. If we separate ourselves and each other from the Truth, from the life that flows from this place, the damage is also ours to reap.
Thank you for listening,
Laura
I KNOW THIS IS OLD AND DOUBT IT WILL BE READ BUT HAD TO COMMENT ANY WAY, FOR FEAR SOME MIGHT ACTUALLY FOLLOW YOUR REASONING AND THINK SAYING GOD DAMN IT IS OK – IT IS NOT
unless you are praising God using the word God is all in vain. it is not for us to ask God to damn anyone, judgement is his and his alone.
technicalities such as God is not his name dont stand and saying God bless, well if you take that in any other way than a blessing cant hrlp you there
In taking the Lord’s name in vain, the one important one you forgot, is when you swear to God. I swear to God I am telling the truth, this is taking God’s name in vain. here you are asking God to be your witness that he being of truth should verify your words. so many people use this phrase (so flippantly without regard) “i swear to God” in an effort to show ones emphatic testimony of truth of what they say. this is one phrase that should never be used.
the only acceptable time is when swearing on a bible, in court for instance or making a vow other than that it is never acceptable