You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. Ex. 20:7But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. Mat 12:36But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. Mat 15:18 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Eph. 4:29-30 O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge-- 1Ti 6:20 Have any of you folks noticed an increase in the amount of professing christians using the Lord's name in vain? Since I was saved, I think I have done this about twice, and I was utterly cut to the heart when I did it. I was shattered and ashamed and was in immediate repentance and contriteness of heart. It's really weird, but I have noticed recently that more and more church going people are using phrases such as "Good Lord" and "Oh my God" as expletives and expressions of surprise. This morning I was watching 100 Huntley Street (a Canadian Christian TV Program) for a few minutes (because I'm not feeling well today) and the host--who I believe was a guest host--was interviewing a young man who had a powerful testimony, and at one point in the narrative being given by the young man, the host said God's name in an expletive way. When he said it at first, I thought, did he really say that? Then I tried to see if he could have meant it in a glorifying way--but I believe that I correctly discerned that he used the name of God as a mere expression or accent of a dramatic moment in the testimony being shared. I watched the young man after that to see if he reacted at all (it is a live show) and I think he may have been a bit uncomfortable with the host after that, but due to the nature of the show he kept going to the end of the interview. I was thinking about how I would react if that were me, and I don't quite know what I would have done. Knowing my personality I likely would have commented right then and there, "yes, "my God" is powerful and was doing a mighty work in my life" or something. Has anyone else noticed an increase in this practice? I know someone that I've heard use "Oh My God"--and he means it reverently when he says it--but I wonder about "avoiding the appearance of evil" even in that case. I suppose in the current north american church climate, this shouldn't surprise me--why would people who don't have reverence for God revere His sacred name? But I do find it to be a fearful trend which I do not believe God will pass by lightly. Each of us will give an account that is sure. May we lift His name high, brothers and sisters! May we guard against this tidal wave of indignity and irreverence with all our might!By His Grace alone,meghan
