Love the Lord with All Your Heart (Part 2)

Brian Andrews
10/17/11 - Knoxville TV

At the beginning of the study on the Ten Commandments we looked at how Jesus summarized the 10 commandments into two simple commands (Matthew 22:37):

1.            Love the Lord with all your heart (Commandments 1-4)
2.            Love your neighbor as yourself (Commandments 5-10)

In the last Ten Commandment lesson we looked at “Love the Lord with all your heart” by examining the 1^st and 2^nd commandments.  In this lesson we will look at the 3^rdcommandment and finish up the deeper look of “Love the Lord with all your heart” by studying 4^th commandment in the next lesson.

Exodus 20:7

Commandment 3:

Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. – KJV

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. – NKJV

You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain. – NASB

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.  – ESV

Do not misuse the name of the LORD your God, because the LORD will punish anyone who misuses His name. – HCSB

You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. – NIV

 

Note: In the various versions of the Bible, one thing is very constant—they do not typically use God’s name even if the original text contains his name.  Instead, where God’s name is used they use the all caps word LORD.  Where you see LORD used in the Bible, God’s name, Yahweh, is actually used.  Personal Opinion: This is a terrible mistake of the various translators.  The word elohim is the Hebrew word translated as either God or god depending on the context as to whether it is referring to the one true God or false gods.  Elohim is generic, just as man is generic.  My name is not “man” just as God’s name is not “LORD”.  God chose to have his name used and recorded in the scriptures, we should not miss this in our studies.

“Do not misuse the name of Yahweh your God, because Yahweh will punish anyone who misuses His name.” – HCSB using God’s real name.

What does this command mean?

·         Do not invoke the name of God without meaning, intent, and purpose:

o   In affirmation

o   In conversation

o   In excitement (conversation)

·         This commandment focuses on respect

o   Respect for God will be exhibited in honoring his name

o   Using God’s name in a flippant careless manner shows the true nature of our relationship with him

o   A name carries with it certain emotions and feelings, try it:

§  Adolf Hitler

§  George Washington

§  Jezebel

§  Jesus…

God gives insight to why:

Punishment:

“Yahweh will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.”

Are there examples of this command being broken?

•          Ezekiel 36:21-23 – Israel profaned God’s name, God cares about his name and what his people do are doing (or trying to do) to it.
•          Romans 2:21-24 – Through the actions of unfaithful Jews,  the name of God was blasphemed among the Gentiles

 

Note: Personal application made at later point in outline.

Consideration:

•          Given the importance of a name and the associated ideas that go with a name, should we use terms associated with God to call men (women)?
  •    Psalms 111:9 KJV – “…holy and reverend is his name.”
  •    Is it appropriate to call a man (or woman) reverend or awe-inspiring (HCSB)?
  •    Would Paul and Barnabus have excepted this honor? (Acts 14:8-20)

Is this command part of the new law?

•          No – the Old Testament has passed away (see prior outline)
•          Yes – this command is clearly repeated
  •    Hallowed is God’s name (Matthew 6:9, Luke 11:2)
    •   Hallow:
      •          to make holy; sanctify; consecrate.
      •          to honor as holy; consider sacred; venerate: to hallow a battlefield.
  •    Power in a name – 2 Timothy 2:19, Colossians 3:17
  • 1 Timothy 6:1 – instructions of conduct so that God’s name be not blasphemed

 

Conclusion (Personal Application)

•          Will I be held guiltless regarding the name of God?
  •    Is your speech seasoned with salt? (Colossians 4:6)
  •    Are your actions befitting the name of Christ?
    •   We are ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20)
    •   Those who take on his name are called Christians (2 Timothy 2:19, 1 Peter 4:14, Acts 11:26)
    •   Therefore, if we, as Christians, act in a non Christ like manner we are blaspheming the name of God!
•          There is significant responsibility in putting on the name of Christ, but the rewards are worth it (Acts 4:12) and Jesus promises it will not be a burden (Matthew 11:28-30)