The name

You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. — Exodus 20:7

It’s not easy to keep up with the shorthand that accompanies today’s fast-paced, youth-oriented electronic communication. In IM-speak (Instant Message talk) or text-message language, “laughing out loud” becomes “lol.”  “By  the way” is “btw.” And regrettably, some people use “omg” for “Oh, my God!”

The last phrase seems to be on the lips of many  who receive startling news. But as Christians, we need to stop before we utter this or any other phrase that flippantly  uses God’s name.

In Matthew 6, when Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, the first thing He told them to say was this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name” (v. 9). Clearly, God’s name itself is special. It encompasses His nature, His teachings, and His moral authority. To speak the name of God is to call on the Creator and Sustainer of the universe.

In every way possible, we should honor and protect God’s holy name, preserving its use for those occasions when we are speaking of Him or addressing Him in faith.

Let’s be careful never to turn the hallowed name of our awesome and mighty God into just another flippant phrase on our lips or in a text message. — Dave Branon

May all I am and do and say

Give glory to my Lord always;

And may no act of mine cause shame

Nor bring reproach upon His name. — Anon.

READ:  Exodus 20:1-7

God’s name: handle with care.

The Bible in one year:

• Exodus 19-20

• Matthew 18:21-35