Yes, It Does Hurt My Heart When You Take God’s Name in Vain

Several years ago, I was out to lunch with a friend who also happens to be an atheist. As we were talking, she’d pretty consistently take the Lord’s name in vain. Each time she did it, I felt a twinge in my stomach. I can’t stand it when people disrespect God’s name, but I lacked any moral courage to say something, probably because I didn’t want to come across as “that kind of Christian.”

At one point in our meal, she realized that she was profanely using God’s name and she kinda half-heartedly said, “Oh, I’m sorry.”

I replied back, “Oh, it’s okay.”

There you have it folks–me and all my courage. (eye roll) It’s okay? I seriously said, “It’s okay,” as if she’d just mispronounced my kid’s name or something.

I’ve relived that conversation a few times in my head and in each daydream, I muster up the courage to say, “Yeah, it does bother me when you take God’s name in vain.”

Do you ever find it interesting that we don’t take any other deity’s name in vain? Nobody is cursing people in the name of Zeus. In movies, Buddha’s name isn’t profanely used in every other sentence. But, Jesus’? It’s like people can’t get enough. I think it actually speaks to the reality of the One True God; Satan doesn’t waste time encouraging us to dishonor other names.

I’ve wondered many, many times how we got to where we nonchalantly take God’s name in vain without even a second thought. Even professed Christians do it all the time without batting an eye; I know, I used to do it myself. It’s curious to me that we grumble, gripe, and throw up arms when people won’t say “Merry Christmas” yet we are as silent as church mice when we hear anybody using Christ’s name irreverently. In fact, I don’t even think most of us notice. It’s so much a part of our lexicon that it barely fazes anybody.

And see, I know what would probably happen if I tried to ask someone not to use the Lord’s name in vain. I’d either get laughed out the building or told that I need to lighten up. Mostly, I’d make them defensive. I’d be seen as some hokey-pokey holy roller. I’m sure the words “holier than thou” would be thrown up in my face and I’d end up slinking away.

The Second Commandment is: “You shall not take the Lord’s name in vain.”

It seems this is a terribly difficult commandment for us to follow. It should bother us that God’s holy name is used so irreverently. Why? Because if we claim that we love God, it should pain us when people misuse, mistreat and dishonor His name. I tell you, there was a time when I would get more upset if someone got my favorite sports team’s name wrong than I would if someone used Christ’s name as a cuss word.

So, what do we do? Do we weep and wail and bemoan the fact that 99% of people in our country choose to categorize God’s name in with swear words? Do we scream and yell at anyone who does? Do we jump in their face and tell them to “knock it off!” Nah, that would never work. It’d actually probably encourage more of the same.

The first thing we should do is check ourselves. Once I realized that I was part of the problem, I curbed my language. I made a pretty poor example by saying I was a Christian, but then dropping a GD every now in then. Not a soul took my love for God seriously and why would they?

My husband is in the Air Force and it’s completely and totally common for bad language to be used. No one is shocked by this. Years ago, when my husband and I got serious about our faith, he stopped cussing altogether. He didn’t tell anyone else it was wrong, he just chose not to do it himself. Around this time, he also made it clear that he was Catholic. He wasn’t weird about it, he just didn’t hide it. The interesting thing was, was that when he started changing, his work buddies stopped using God’s name in vain around him. They’d even apologize and correct themselves. They still cussed and carried on like always, but they did watch how they used God’s name. The best part, my husband never had to say one word. He led by his example.

I think this is the biggest thing we can do–be an example. Along with that, we need to throw in some courage, as well. I wish when my friend had apologized to me at lunch, that I’d said, “Thank you for apologizing. It really does hurt my heart when people take God’s name in vain. I appreciate that you caught yourself.” Next time, I’ll do better. Before, I’d never had anyone apologize to me about it and so I wasn’t prepared with a response. It completely caught me off guard.

We worship a Holy God. Scripture tells us that Christ’s name is “above all names.” It’s such a beautiful name. The Creator of the Universe says your name with love, Catholic Pilgrim, be sure to always speak His name with love, as well.

I was asked by a follower to go deeper into the Ten Commandments. So, this year, each month, I’ve been writing about one of them. Be sure to check out my others.