Scripture Reading: Exodus 20:7
In most cases, we trivialize things that we ought not to. We also sometimes take for granted the things of God in a way to suggest that ‘He will understand’. We do this through careless usage of His name to substantiate our actions. This we do, so as to convince people to concur with our submissions. Yet, He told the Jews that His name should not be called in vain.
Christians need to draw the line that should never be crossed, when it comes to the matter of God.
We have used the name of God so flagrantly to support the ‘business lies’ that we utterly express during business transactions. Many of our corporate business deals and informal endeavors, most especially among market women have hardly been agreed upon until either of the parties use God’s name to convince the other. This has become so entrenched in business deals that we see it as “one of those thing”. It is instructive to note that God could be merciful but He will never be kind to the use of His name for vainglory.
Christ already set a standard of how to relate to one another when it comes to a matter of trust – “But let your ‘Yes be ‘Yes, and your ‘No’, ‘No’. For whatever is more than these is from evil” (Matthew 5:37).
The bible equally stated that “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgement”
(Matthew 12:36)
This, the calling of the name of God frivolously could be the foundation for losing salvation. God’s name should only be for the purpose of:
- Praises
- Seeking prayer requests
- Homilies
- Biblical purposes including teaching
- Glorifying Him, etc
Anything short of these and most importantly, for our benefit or financial gains is unscriptural and is self-serving.
A clear example is that of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5, where they lied as to what was realised in the sale of their properties. One could say that they didn’t mention the name of God, but what difference does it make when lies are concorted to gain any kind of reward, including recognition in the presence of God’s servants.
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This is the more reason why children of Jehovah God must by all means avoid exaggeration, understatement/overstatement, and all form of sayings that are untruthful for gains or even bloating of our egos. Most of these are at times done unconsciously, but, there is definitely no space to use ignorance for a defence in the day of judgement.
May God grant us the needed wisdom to guide our utterances in the way that will glorify Him, through Christ our Lord.
Memory Verse:
Exodus 20:7
“Thou shall not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain”
Author
Baba Aladura, Elder Israel Akinadewo – FCA, PhD
Prelate, Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide (MCCSW)/President, Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC)