It amazes me that there are those in our society who are quick to remove God's name from everything except defamatory language. God's name is not welcomed in our public schools or court houses, but no one is upset when His name is associated with cursing or angry outbursts. "G-D" is a common phrase when someone is upset, and "Oh my God" is a typical response to surprise, but mention God's name in a public ceremony and someone's religious rights are infringed upon. That is truly insane.

One of the Ten Commandments God gave the Jews was to have respect for His name. "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" (Exodus 20:7). If you and I were to list the top 10 things we expect of people in living a righteous life, I doubt any of us would include a caution about how we use the Lord's name. It is not as offensive to us as the other things in the Ten Commandments: lying, murder, adultery, and so on. But to God, it is just as wicked to use His name in a disrespectful manner as it is to murder someone. Both are acts of irreverence and disregard. And even though we are not under the Law of Moses, we are just as accountable to Him for how we use His name. Paul said he rebuked "Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme" (1 Timothy 1:20). Thus, it is still wrong to use God's name in a disrespectful manner.

If I got mad and cursed your mother's name, would you be upset? If I used your name in association with evil, would it bother you? "Oh my God" is no different to God. It is taking His name in vain by using it in a common and disrespectful manner. Our Creator deserves a better response from us. Correction. Our Creator demands a better response from us!

- Meditate On These Things, Oct. 2018