7/8/11 Cursing with God's Name

The Ten Commandments this Summer
The Third Command: You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.

¹ “Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her squares.
If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city.
² Although they say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ still they are swearing falsely.”  (Jer. 5:2).

Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear-- not by heaven or by earth or by anything else.  All you need to say is a simple yes or no.  Otherwise you will be condemned. (James 5:12)

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs so that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29)

Thoughts: Bad language is hard enough, but adding God's name to our bad swearing is hard to take.  Taking the holy and using it in a profane way is an evil thing.  Some do this carelessly, and should recognize the importance of speech.  When we call on God's name, it is like waking up a lion, and we should call on Him carefully.  Adding God's name to a curse does not impress others.  Saying something eloquently with simplicity helps us.  We should bridle our tongue, building others up instead of cursing and tearing others down. 

Prayer: Give me grace, O Lord, to use your name carefully and wisely.