Taking the Lord’s Name in Vain

Exodus 20:7 ‘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.’

Have we lost our respect and reverence for the name of the Lord our God? In our age of Facebook and other social communication media, it seems that even Christians show disrespect for God’s name and person. An obvious example is the use of the letters OMG. Many seem to feel that if they are not using God’s name as a swear word that they couldn’t be using His name in vain. Taking God’s name in vain is actually using His name in a casual or careless fashion. Every time a Christian uses God’s name it should be in a manner that reflects or shows respect for His awesomeness or holiness. Another way in which people take God’s name in vain is by the use of words such as gosh, golly or gee. All of these are euphemisms for God and are basically a means of using the name of God in a less offensive way.
Not only can we disparage the name of God by speaking disrespectfully but we can also do so by our actions. As Christians we should be always be careful that our behaviour as well as our words are worthy of the One Whose name we carry. Colossians 3:17 instructs us ‘And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.’ To swear by God’s name falsely is another way to profane His name. Even in worship we can take God’s name in vain if our hearts are not sincere, and we do not seek to worship in ‘spirit and in truth.’ And it is clear that God ‘will not hold him/her guiltless or allow them to go unpunished who are guilty of taking His name in vain.

Do we reverence God’s name as we ought to?
Are you offended when God’s name is ‘taken in vain’?
How do you think you should react when this happens?