I once sent an e-mail to a friend who makes his living as a golf professional. As an inside joke, I ended my note with this:  “This may sound blasphemous, but keep your head up!!” This was my attempt at a little humor, especially when keeping your head down is critical to shot making.  There is another kind of blasphemy, however, that isn’t appropriate or funny under any circumstance.  As we move along in our Ten Commandment series, that’s the one we’d like to take a serious look at today as we introduce God’s 3rd Commandment:“Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.” 

There are very few guarantees in life. One that comes to mind is a life full of outrage and physical punishment if we went around deliberately calling people’s mothers degrading names. There’s little argument among us about mothers holding positions of honor that merit defense and protection at almost any cost.

What about our choice to casually use God’s name in vain?  Isn’t He our ultimate eternal parent, with the perfected attributes of both our earthy fathers and mothers?  Let’s be more fully aware of taking His name in vain and purpose to choose to honor Him by defending and protecting His holy name. The Bible says that the name of Jesus (God) is exalted above all names and in His name we are to pray. The consequences of degrading His name go beyond emotional rage and physical punishment– please think of everlasting spiritual disconnection and eternal judgment.

Can you imagine taking in vain the name of the one who Created us and gave us life?  Can you imagine downgrading the name of the One we will face as Ultimate Judge when we take our last breath here on earth?  Can you imagine having to expand our vocabulary with foolish words that abuse the name of the One who gave us an imagination in the first place?  Can you imagine calling ourselves a “Christian” and acting like a demon most of the week?  As unimaginable as it all seems, most of us… if not all, are guilty as you know what…SIN!

In practical review, The Ten Commandments are God’s love note and righteous operating system to His chosen, yet hard-hearted people.  After answering their cry for deliverance from their bondage and deserving full credit for doing so, His first commandment was for them to rank Him first; the second commandment was for them not to worship powerless idols made from His creation; and the third was not to drag His name in the mud.  I ask each of you,”Does this sound like some terrifying, unreasonable ogre, or pure truth to be reverenced with a wholesome fear blended with appreciation and love?”

Let’s stay rooted and grounded in Scripture, enjoy the week, and access His longing to be present in our lives….One Commandment at a time. In hopeful review, please give careful thought to the first three testimonies God is giving us:

1.   Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

2.   Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.

3.   Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. 

It’s obvious God loves us and there’s nothing we can do about it.  What an awesome and Almighty God we serve!!!

 Ex 20: 7