Verse from Exodus

““不可妄称耶和华你神的名，因为妄称耶和华的名的，耶和华必不以他为无罪。”

‭‭出埃及记‬ ‭20:7‬ ‭

““You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His name.”

‭‭Exodus‬ ‭20:7‬ ‭

We may think this only refers to attaching God’s name to a swear word or using His name flippantly or irreverently. 

When we reject the advice of others and say, “God told me to go this way,” We misuse His name if all we are doing is seeking approval for our own desires.

When we use Scripture out of context to try to support an idea we want to be true, we are using God’s name in vain.

When we teach, write, or speak from Scripture carelessly, we misuse His name.

Author John Piper offers this reflection on what it means to take God’s name in vain: “The idea is . . . ‘don’t empty the name.’ . . . Don’t empty God of His weight and glory.” We misuse His name, Piper says, when we “speak of God in a way that empties Him of His significance.”

The challenge is to honor God’s name and to pay closer attention to using His Word carefully and accurately. Anything less dishonors Him.

God’s name: handle with care.