Exodus 20: 7 Commentary

The 3rd of the first four commandments that help us to love the Lord or God and worship him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:28-33, Luke 10:25-28, Deuteronomy 6:4-7, Matthew 22:35-40). As previously stated, a more common component to taking the name of the Lord thy God in vain is using his name with recklessness in cussing and similar situations, belittling the essential fear of the Lord.

Another way to potentially take the name of God in vain is to misrepresent God and his teachings with an emptiness, deceit, and unfruitfulness (Psalms 39:4-6 & 60:11, Proverbs 30:7-10, Matthew 6:7 & 13:22, Ephesians 5:1-8, 2nd Peter 1:1-10). This leaves the professed believer in transgression contrary to the Word of God and without clear focus and purpose. We must avoid being trapped in mere formality of traditions and superficial lip service that provides no clear victory over sin and a character that is further blinded by a worship based on self accomplishments and not faith and grace (1st Kings 12:26-28, Mark 7:5-9, John 15:1-5). Many shall be turned away because all they have based their faith on is man and man’s accomplishments, not God’s commandments and provisions for the fallen race. If we have accepted Christ’s atoning sacrifice we can allow the Holy Spirit to purify our hearts in obedience to the example that Christ has left, not in lawlessness and disobedience. It is only God the Creator that is able to deliver humanity from sin and death, all else are vain efforts (Psalms 89:47-48, 1st John 4:4).

Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. (Mark 7:5-9)

Many traditions and ungodly pagan practices have crept into Christianity that must be striped away if God’s light is going to shine in its true splendor and glory. In humility and meekness let us assume the role of servants to allow God to bring forth the fruit of the spirit into our lives, allowing God’s light to shine (Hebrews 3:5, 2nd Timothy 2:21-26, Matthew 20:27).

By Taft (wrote 29 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 11/5/2011 04:09 am

ON TAKING THE BIBLE IN VAIN

Jokes are okey…there are times to joke…but joking with the purpose of taking the Word of God in vain.. or joking when God is talking to us seriously….that would be a serious transgression against God’s commandments…

Some people are Jesters/ jokers….they donot know that they had become fools whenever things are quite serious and they joke about it…as Don Maclean sang clearly:

“When the jester sang for the King (Jesus) & queen (the church)
in a coat he borrowed from James Dean (meaning the joker looked quite attractive)
in a voice that came from you and me…
while the King was looking down the jester stole His Thorny Crown
the courtroom was adjourned no verdict was returned….

It means that when joker speak for God…no one gonna take him seirously…and the Word of God is neutralize in it’s effect to the hearers….

By TIUCHE (wrote 2755 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 5/14/2011 03:32 am

So does joking not included in using God’s word in vain. If i take a deep look at it. Most people we joke for the benefit of laughing and thats it. Very few take an insight in joke and come up with a good idea.

By Cleopas (wrote 61 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 5/13/2011 06:38 am

ON TAKING THE BIBLE IN VAIN

Whether the Bible is the Word of God or contains the Word of God, it would profit us all to be careful about taking it in vain. God says we should not take His name in vain, may I remind all of us that God…

‘…HAS MAGNIFIED HIS W O R D ABOVE ALL HIS NAMES (Psalm 138:2)…so…we be careful in handling His Word…it is His Highest Name! And the Word will be the judge on Judgement Day !

By TIUCHE (wrote 2755 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 5/12/2011 16:48 pm

Exodus 20:7
Taking God’s name in vain or using it lightly - It bothers me that so many people today carelessly toss out the name of GOD without any reverence or respect. “Oh my G_ _” or “Jesus Christ!” or any number of other expressions which have nothing to do with our GOD. This seems to be acceptable in Christian circles. I hear godly men and women use these terms without a thought in regards to the greatness and majesty of our Holy God. If the scribes had to stop and wash before they picked up a separate writing instrument before they wrote the name of JEHOVAH, shouldn’t we be careful not to throw HIS Name around in vain?

By Carol Draehn (wrote 1 Bible Commentary - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 2/25/2009 13:55 pm