Exodus 20:1-7
I read an excellent devotional based on this text. The famous verse Exodus 20:7 says; you shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. (New International Version)
Then it hit me. This is a form of verbal abuse! Except it hurts God. And it hurts anyone who is connected with the Spirit of God.
How often have you heard people say, “Oh my God!” or when stressed say’ “Jesus”? Now I don’t need to mention the profanity that includes the name of God.
God is hurt because His name should be used in prayer and praise with reverence. We are hurt because we know that and feel stabbed every time someone abuses the name.
Yet, there are times when not using His name can be abusive. When we are attempting to be politically correct we leave out the O when writing the word God in correspondence.
Also, if we say the name of Jesus, people who do not like the name are hurt. That’s right you can be accused of being verbally abusive to someone who does not share your love for the Lord.
So what do we do? What have you done?
I am convinced that more teaching should take place on social talk and the references to God. We live in a world that keeps changing but the word of God remains the same. We should also pray for the boldness to let someone know you do not appreciate how he or she use the name of someone you worship. It certainly isn’t politically correct if they know your faith. How would they feel if you verbally abused their God? . Let us all make an effort to educate and also discipline ourselves not to be verbally abusive to God.
All rights reserved, Rosemary Horner, 2007
