“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.” (Exodus 20:7, NASB)
I was inspired to write today’s devotion after a conversation a few weeks ago while I was practicing on the back of the range. My friend and PGA professional Bobby Walzel came over to tell me a story about how he used to swear to express his feelings about a poor shot, calling out “Jesus Christ” or using God’s name in a curse.
He admitted to me that at that time he never realized the implications of his words and did not understand what taking the Lord’s name in vain meant. It was a Links Player and business partner, Milt McKenzie, who graciously asked him if he knew what he was saying and what it meant.
The question perplexed Bobby and, after hearing Milt out, he realized he needed to change his choice of words. After hearing Bobby’s story, I began to dig into the topic. All I knew from experience was that my parents always said, “Never take the Lord’s name in vain!” But have you ever asked yourself why? What does God’s name mean and what is so wrong about taking it in vain?
How do you feel when a golf buddy hits a bad shot or misses a putt and calls out God’s name in vain?The name of God stands for so much more than the mere pronouncing of his title of address. It includes his nature, being, and very person, his moral and ethical teaching. Elohim is used as the first name in Genesis and can be read over 2,750 times in Scripture. There are more than 100 more names in the Bible, but this is the one God started with in Genesis. Elohim is, in the Hebrew language, the plural of the singular word for God, El. The name Elohim signifies a plurality of persons within this one powerful creator God. It reveals the trinitarian definition of God as the one God, eternally existing in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
How great is his name? Think about the fact that he created the heavens and the earth. Mountains were formed and galaxies of stars came into existence by his power. Even more outstanding is the revelation of Hebrews 11:3, “The worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.” He spoke all creation into existence; he made something out of nothing.
When we misuse God’s name to let out a curse, we are certainly using his name in vain. If we use it flippantly or jokingly, it’s more of the same. And if we use it to put a stamp on our argument so we can gain a bit of personal glory, we are using it in vain. We have demeaned God’s infinite worth.
How do you feel when a golf buddy hits a bad shot or misses a putt and calls out God’s name in vain? Perhaps you are like me and are stirred in the Spirit to share what you know about the name of God. I pray for God to provide us all an opportunity to share Elohim in a way that reveals how awesome our God is to those who may not know him.
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Chris Hermann
January 20, 2021
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The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.