Is there just one answer to third commandment meaning? Third Commandment: Thou Shalt Not Take the Name of the Lord in Vain. Does this forbid the use of God's name in a frivolous manner? Does it refer to the repetition of his name while praying to him? Does it mean both, or just one of the above? Is there another take on this? I'm not sure????
I vote c) None of the above. It meant (in my understanding) not to use the Lord's name to curse someone as in the OT using the God's name meant binding him to that action. And woe on the person who would bind God to a petty act of vengence! The commandment, as you quoted it, isn't a good reflection of the words in the oldest texts. It's much closer to not misusing his name and an Ancient Hebrew would had understood misuse as invoking it to curse in anger or wrath or such. Names had power. Hence YHWH as short form rather then naming God. Think of how God renamed Abraham and Jacob to claim them. Both of your interprettions would be much more modern and likely not recognized by Ancient Hebrews or early Christians. Hope this helps!
Thanks, Dawn. Interesting! So are you saying that it was used in a contract between persons? And if someone defaulted or didn't keep his word, they took God's name in vain?
That’s a really good question. It’s nice to see someone reasoning on a scriptural point. Both God and Jesus tell us that God’s name is to be held above all other’s. (Isaiah 42:8; Matthew 6:9) Taking God’s name in vain is degrading it to vile connections. It is using Jehovah’s name in a worthless way. That could be using that name in profane language or cursing in anger, which is probably what we are most used to hearing. However it could also be when men apply God’s name to persons or things that should not bear God’s name, or attach it to lies or false messages that he does not support. (Jer. 23:16, 17, 26, 27, 31) As for your specific questions, here goes… Does this forbid the use of God's name in a frivolous manner? I am not sure what you mean by this. I can’t think of when it would be used like this. Maybe I just have brain block! Does it refer to the repetition of his name while praying to him? Yes, in a way. We are urged to call upon God’s name (Psalm 105:1), but using it in over and over again in almost every sentence would becomes like a mannerism or an empty repetition that Jesus spoke against at Matthew 6:7.
Thanks, SEEKTRUTH. Frivoulous - as in ... Can someone use his name 'Oh My God,' in an exclamation of excitement or disbelief ?
It would be in any situation where you would use God's name to spite or curse someone, if they defaulted or if they just bumped into you in the marketplace. Don't use it thoughtlessly to bring down retribution. In terms of the Ancient Hebrews I don't think that would violate it. You would probably get a few looks for using his nme thoughtlessly but you're not using it to invoke God's power so you're okay as far as the commndment goes.
Thanks! And today? Can someone say 'Oh My God,' in an exclamation of excitement or disbelief ? I thought this is forbidden by Christians to say this expression - today. It is perceived as a swear word ?? Yes? No?
I think to properly answer the question we need to know what the word "vain" means. Here is what the online Websters says (I eliminated the one that said conceited): 1: having no real value : idle , worthless <vain pretensions>2: marked by futility or ineffectualness : unsuccessful , useless <vain efforts to escape>3archaic : foolish , silly I, personally, hate the phrase "OMG" It bothers me so much that it's tossed around so frivolously. I think anytime you use God's name other than in praise, worship or prayer (or in conversation talking ABOUT God and his character) that you a misusing, or using in "vain".
My take on this is that it absolutely has application for us TODAY. The commandments are more than an historical scripture that were specific to relationships between people at that time. When mine were smaller, and when I have taught about this to younger children, I have explained it something like this: "God's NAME is the most important word in the whole world, ever. He wants us to have great respect for His name, and the only times we should be saying His name is when 1. we are talking TO Him, and 2. we are talking ABOUT Him...." So, "OMG" would be "in vain". "G. help me!", "G only knows...". and , the obvious cursing. Also, often you will see people, frequently Jewish people writing "G-D" or "L-rd", so that His name will never be casually disregarded or perhaps thrown into the trash. Actually, it 's something to think about. :angel:Miller:angel:
I have found this to be very interesting because it really bothers me to hear Oh my God or a similar phrase. I notice a lot of kids lately saying Gaaa and stopping before adding a D sound. I find that very annoying. I think it started on a tv kids show. Can't remember which one. We had our Wed. afterschool learn the 10 commandments last year at chuch and this one got a lot of discussion. I tell my class they are too smart to use swear words or to use God's name in vain.
Ahhhhh, I see. Keep in mind that God is a title. Although I still wouldn’t use it frivolously since I feel that title deserves respect. Also many people are offended by it and as a Christian I wouldn’t want to offend other needlessly. Unfortunately, many do not know God’s name to be Jehovah. (Some versions of the Bible use his name throughout, some only show it in Psalm 83:18, and some have taken it out altogether.) However the Bible shows us that we should use His name. That is why God pronounced it to Moses and told Moses to explain to the Israelites who it was that had sent him.—Psalm 18:1-3, 6, 13; Exodus 6:2-8. Many other scriptures also show this: Exodus 34:5, 6; Deuteronomy 32:3-43; Psalm 8:1; 99:3; 148:13; Exodus 3:15; Malachi 1:11; Exodus 9:16; Ezekiel 36:23. Even Jesus used the name of God. For example we see at Luke 4:16-21 that Jesus read Isaiah 61:1, 2. That is why he was able to say that he made Jehovah’s name manifest. (John 17:6) So like many others said, if we are using God’s name in a dignified way (like when talking with others or in worship) it is pleasing to Him.
Interestingly enough, I have heard, both Christians and Non-Christians use the 'OMG' expression, loosely...
I am 38 years old and NEVER heard that saying OMG was blasphemous or against the ten commandments. Not that it is NOT, just saying, it never came up. That and it is more common than Apple Pie... When most people think of "Using God's name in Vain", they think of G D**m *t". Which is why, "OMG!" Is not edited out of "Extream Makeover Home Edition". But G** D**m *t" is... As a side note to culture being so presuasive... When searching for a home, we brought our children to view the homes... Everytime we opened a front door to a new home.... Yup, you guessed it!, They would all three holler out... "OMG!" over and over, as if we were on the show and had just found our new home... It was funny to us. Of course, we began to realise just how much tv they had watched at that point... (Shrug)
My dh always tells us to put our own name in place of Gods and how would we feel if someone said our name like that all the time. Whether it's omg, gd, etc. I know that I wouldn't like it.
I was raised to think that saying ... OMG, Dam, etc were 'un Christlike' terms. Since then, I have refrained from using them. I just: "Always want to be ready to give an account of the hope that is within me" (1 Peter 3:15) Being able to attach some Biblical reasoning with a principle, that I may carry. As my kids check my Spiritual Calendar daily..
It is equally the same around here around the area where we live. Very common. I never say "Oh My G." myself, and I teach Tanner the same. I was raised to think that was saying God's name in vein...BUT, there are many people I know that do not think it is. Tanner says "Oh My Goodness". It is like nails on a chalkboard to me when I hear "OMG", but that is just how I was raised. Not everyone would feel the same way as myself. Now, I would never in a million years think "G. help me!", or "G only knows..." to be blasphemous. IMHO, saying "God only know the trouble I've been in" (for example) is stating a fact, or statements of the like. He IS the only one who has seen the trouble I've been in. I see no reason to think that it would be in vein. Or even saying "God help me". That makes no sense to me, TBH. To me, saying something like "God only knows" while I am telling a humerous story is not saying God's name in vein. Saying it in vein to me translates to cursing his name. That is not cursing. Plus, IMHO, God does have a sense of humor. He has to if he created those monkey's with red butts.
