Rays of the harmonist online, year3, issue 12 do not take gods name in vain by srila bhaktisiddhanta sarasvati. Third love commandment 10 love commandments website10 love. Thus, the name of the bibles second book is not exodus but sefer shmot. Thou shall not take the name of the lord thy god in vain. Many orthodox jews take this commandment more strictly than god intended, refusing to use gods. Yes, we should not utter gods name just to gain some end.
We see this today when islamists invoke god s name while they murder innocent people. Though take and carry are relatively small words, the difference between them is significant. The writer of proverbs confirmed this by saying, lord, dont let me steal, and. In other words, taking gods name is vain is misrepresenting his character. The commandment not to erase or deface the name of god comes from deut. He is author of more than 50 books, including desiring. While we are used to the commandment being translated, you shall not take the lords name in vain, telushkin points out that the literal hebrew translation is, you shall not carry the lords name in vain. When you make a declaration, swearing by gods name, it must not be a. Gods name in vain and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. Most modern critics regard the phrase used as forbidding false swearing only. Taking gods name in vain has nothing to do with speech or utterance. Its about using gods name in the commission of evil.
The israelites were a special peopleset apart by yahweh and called by his name. Gods name in vain paperback october 25, 2001 by stephen carter author 4. Although many people believe taking the lords name in vain refers to using the lords name as a swear word, there is much more involved with a vain use of gods name. The third commandment do not carry gods name in vain. I say that because its emotionally and spiritually dense, and i one of my top three favorite books this year. What taking the lords name in vain actually means relevant. Stephen carter argues that american politics is unimaginable without. By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed. Jps tanakh 1917 thou shalt not take the name of the lord thy god. Well, i would never swear by gods name in a false way. It also explains the very essence of the title on his book. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule that carter does not mention, e. The third commandment do not carry gods name in vain exodus chapter 20 welcome good morning saints. God s name here is not something you say to get god s attention, or something that gets placed in people, dwells in a particular location or something that comes from afar.
How do you define the sin of taking the lords name in vain. Thou shalt not take the name of the lord thy god in vain wikipedia. To do anything in vain is to do a thing that is empty or without purpose. You may redistribute this article if you include this license and attribute it to rays of the harmonist. You could then mention that a true christian with the very spirit of god in them is not going to be going around using gods name in vain any more than a christian would be making an idol and worshiping it 0 0 0. The lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain 20. It says, thou shalt not take the name of the lord your god in vain. You shall not take the character of the lord your god in vain, for the lord will not hold guiltless anyone who takes his character in vain. In fact, one of the ten commandments in the old testament states. The writer of proverbs confirmed this by saying, lord, dont let me steal, and thereby take your name in vain proverbs 30.
It has been said that to take the lords name in vain is to use his name wrongfully. You shall not carry the lords name for naught brazos life. Brilliant and well written book on abrahamic religions over the ages that gives an indepth understanding of this complex and important group of cultures and religions that have left their mark on civilization. Start your 48hour free trial to unlock this god s name in vain study guide and get instant access to the following summary. Gods word translation never use the name of the lord your god carelessly. The expression to take in vain is also translated less literally as to misuse or variants. The hebrew is ambiguous, as is to some extent the english translation. They claim to be gods child, but by their lawless or loveless thoughts, words, and deeds, they prove they are not. Start your 48hour free trial to unlock this gods name in vain study guide and get instant access to the following summary. The hebrew literally reads, do not carry the name of the lord thy god in vain. One of the readings1 for today in the liturgical calendar is from the book of romans. Jesus taught us to pray hallowed be your name, which is our way of expressing our desire that gods character would be honored through the lives of. Taking the lords name in vain most of us learned the third commandment when we were very young.
That s a great example of taking the lord s name in vain hiding behind the letter of the law and breaking the actual intent of the law. To not take carry, lift up the name of god in vain means to not misrepresent him through our lives. Does using omg in text messaging violate the commandment. Unfortunately, we do not know exactly what the term taking the lords name in vain means. It is a way of saying that god himself is worthless. To dishonor gods name in any way is to denigrate his holiness.
Micah refers to it as something you can walk or live in the name. You shall not bear the name of yahweh your god in vain, for yahweh will not hold him guiltless who bears his name in vain. You shall not take the lords name in vain decision magazine. Why its wrong to take gods name in vain crossway articles. Jun 28, 2018 you shall not take the character of the lord your god in vain, for the lord will not hold guiltless anyone who takes his character in vain. So it doesnt just refer to a certain tone of voice or a certain use of the word. When god spoke the commandment, you shall not take the name of the lord your god in vain, for the lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain exodus 20. The word vain as its rendered in the esv can mean empty, nothing. Our lords comment in the sermon on the mount favours the view that false swearing alone was actually forbidden by the. It has a variety of translations including emptiness, vanity, falsehood, nothingness, emptiness of speech, lying, and worthlessness. Mar 14, 2008 again they were ignoring the intent of the law, to do good to others, and using it to actually treat others more poorly.
Profaned the name of god we swear by the name of god when we know, were lying so i would never do that. This commandment is often misunderstood because it s mistranslated. God s name here is a realm or dimension you can live in. Thus, the commandment is telling us not to accept the name of god, not to carry the name of god on our shoulders, while at the same time doing nothing to imply that we are actually people of.
Taking the lord s name in vain most of us learned the third commandment when we were very young. The idea of taking gods name in vain is the idea of representing. Matthew henry described five categories of actions that constitute taking gods name in vain. When god spoke the commandment, you shall not take the name of the lord your god in vain, for the lord will not hold him guiltless who takes. I loved the book, the help, and have to admit, i do not remember being aware of. To understand the severity of taking the lords name in vain, we must first see the lords name from his perspective as outlined in scripture. You shall not take the name of the lord your god in vain, for the lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain exodus 20. What does it really mean to take the lords name in vain. Jul 08, 2015 god obviously cares about our words, and theres something seriously wrong with taking the lords name in vain. Jun 20, 20 while we are used to the commandment being translated, you shall not take the lords name in vain, telushkin points out that the literal hebrew translation is, you shall not carry the lords name in vain. Do not take the name of the lord your god in vain, for the lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. For 33 years, he served as pastor of bethlehem baptist church, minneapolis, minnesota. You shall not take the name of the lord your god in vain, for the lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. Thou shalt not take the name of the lord thy god in vain.
We we do not truly believe that god is there and that he will do what he has promised, we take gods name in vain. Granted, folks shouldnt be using the lord s name as a swear word, but that s not what the commandment is taking about. This commandment is often misunderstood because its mistranslated. Do not carry the lord s name in vain, meaning, if you commit acts of evil because god told you to. Well, i would never swear by god s name in a false way.
Were called to carry the name of god wherever we go. What does the bible say about not using gods name in vain. God obviously cares about our words, and theres something seriously wrong with taking the lords name in vain. It s about using god s name in the commission of evil. You shall not take the lords name in vain decision.
But if you do evil, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. On the other hand, maybe with a book like not in gods name, its best to read a chapter at a time and think about it privately, without the urge to tell others what were thinking. For the lord will not hold guiltless meaning will not forgive whoever takes his name in vain. Whenever we treat these things with a lack of respect and, ultimately, a lack of belief, we take gods name in vain. See all 11 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. In jewish thought, that commandment refers solely to oathtaking, and is a prohibition against swearing by gods name falsely or frivolously the word normally translated as. Granted, folks shouldnt be using the lords name as a swear word, but thats not what the commandment is. You shall not misuse the name of the lord your god, for the lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. If you take the name of god, at a ceremony, and tell the world that you are now part of the bride of christ as the church is called, yet you do not live like a bride of christ, you have taken his name in vain, and you will not be considered guiltless. Anyone who breaks the third commandment will be held accountable. Taking the lords name in vain credo house ministries.
This practice does not come from the commandment not to take the lords name in vain, as many suppose. He is the author of several books, including just do something. You shall not take the name of the lord your god in vain, for the lord will not leave him unpunished who takes his name in vain, exodus 20. But it also applies to unserious or frivolous uses of holy things. The help using gods name in vain showing 150 of 80 goodreads. Are you sure you really know the third commandment. We see this today when islamists invoke gods name while they murder innocent people. You shall not carry the lords name for naught brazos. Dec 01, 2014 it is most commonly translated as, do not take the name of the lord thy god in vain. To not take carry, lift up the name of god in vain means to not. It s not concerned with saying god s name in vain like god, did i have a terrible day at the office. Jesus taught us to pray hallowed be your name, which is our way of expressing our desire that gods character would be honored through the lives of us and others.
But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. Its not concerned with saying gods name in vain like god, did i have a terrible day at the office. The intent in the original context was that no hebrew should commit any evil act in the name of god, such as a man abusing his wife and children because he was the man of the house because it was gods. Theres a warning in leviticus 1912 because he knew people would do do not bring shame on the name of the lord your god by using it to swear falsely i am the lord, he said. Mar 06, 2009 how do you define the sin of taking the lord s name in vain. Furthermore, the third commandment, i learned later, could better have been translated to thou shalt not carry gods name in vain. In that passage, the people are commanded that when they take over the promised land, they should destroy all things related to the idolatrous religions of that region, and should utterly destroy the names of the local deities. Three angels broadcasting network 3abn 10,622 views 58. Jan 01, 2015 on the other hand, maybe with a book like not in gods name, its best to read a chapter at a time and think about it privately, without the urge to tell others what were thinking. The idea of vanity and i think the hebrew carries this connotation is dont empty the name. The niv translates it as, do no misuse the name of the lord. There s a warning in leviticus 1912 because he knew people would do do not bring shame on the name of the lord your god by using it to swear falsely i am the lord, he said.
He is gods servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer. One of the things that the bible has consistently denounced is the taking of the lords name in vain. Here is the first section of my thoughts regarding this topic. The lord will make sure that anyone who carelessly uses his name will be punished.
It is most commonly translated as, do not take the name of the lord thy god in vain. Berean literal bible for he is gods servant to you for good. But most bibles say, do not use the name of the lord in vain. Stephen carter argues that american politics is unimaginable wit. Do not carry the lords name in vain, meaning, if you commit acts of evil because god told you to. At face value, it makes sense not to say, oh my god, or to utter gods name in other disrespectful ways. I grew up believing thats all the third command requires, and thats what we must do to fulfill it. Its dealing with god and speaking of god in a way that empties him. English text from hebrew torah as published in 1977.