What exactly is meant by "taking the Lords name in vain"?

Question

I mean, many people do it, but I don't really think they mean what it implies. If they say "J**** C*****!" in a an exclamation, I don't think they really mean for God to put a curse on the person/object it is aimed at. Its just a name that they happen to exclaim. For example, with the exclamation "For Pete's sake!" the person isn't calling on the other person/thing to do the deed for the sake of Pete, they just happen to be exclaiming that. On the other hand, in the bible it does say not to take the name of the Lord in vain, but if, when you are saying the name, you don't actually mean for God to curse the people, are you actually taking the Lord's name in vain? Or does it not make a difference as to why you are saying the God's name?

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Answer 1

The Holy angels in Heaven bow in reverence at the name of Jesus Christ.
If you spew that name out of your mouth like you would spit out a piece of gum onto the sidewalk, do you think the Father in Heaven who sent His Beloved Son down to suffer and die for your sins will hold you guiltless?
How do you feel when people speak about you as if you were a piece of dirt to be kicked around? If you had any love for God at all, any perception of the majesty and dignity of that Name, you would feel ashamed that you ever uttered that Holy Name in anything but the utmost reverence.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all wrongdoing."
I John 1:9

Answer 2

There are two parts to this. One is that, in the original Hebrew, the commandment is: Thou shalt not carry the Lord's name to emptiness. So,

A) don't use it as curse or slang. Maybe you think this isn't relevant since you're not asking the Lord to curse something, but keep in mind that for many Jews then --- and *now*, God's name is so *HOLY* they won't even write it out. Does that give you an insight into how wretched it is to use the name of the creator of the universe in jest or as a curse?

B) Don't *hide* behind the Lord's name in an attempt to justify your own wickedness. In other words, don't use the commands of the Lord to justify your own sin or bigotry. We see this all the time. People will try and use scripture to justify their racism. Or sexism. Or homophobia. (Example of this: We know from scripture that the Lord hates homosexual SIN. He *loves* the sinner just like He loves me --- also a sinner, no less a sinner, in fact --- but some Christians use God's Word to justify hating homosexuals) Or whatever-ism. That is taking something beautiful and perfect --- the Lord's law, and His name, and making it appear to be worth less than it is --- it is TRIVIALIZING His name just like using His name as a curse does. Does that make sense? Knowing the Hebrew of this and understanding this has really helped me a lot in terms of understanding the broader meaning in this commandment.

Answer 3

Wow... as I read the other answers, it amazed me how much some people have no idea what they are talking about. Let me try to explain as best I can what it means to use the Lord's name in vain....

The Third Commandment warns, "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." (Exodus 20:7)

God Himself warned the human race about "trashing" His Holy Name. While profanity is rampant in our society, God is neither honored nor pleased when we disrespect Him in such vile manner. We are not even to speak His name except in worship, prayer, or witnessing (telling someone about Jesus Christ and what He can do for your life), and then always only in reverence and respect. Using God's name in cursing, swearing, oaths, or whatever form of casual misuse is unacceptable.

You see, saying the Lord's name in vain has NOTHING to do with putting a curse on someone. It is all about WHY you are saying His name.

Answer 4

What the Bible means is do not use the name of God lightly. Such as when a person claims to be a christian yet does not live up to the Name that he or she is using. Saying J----C----- is not using god's name in vain. That would be using Gods name in course language

Answer 5

If a man doesn't believe in death does it mean he should jump off ledges? Saying God's name in vain shows lack of reverance and respect for Him. People have become accustomed to this.

They throw His name around like a petty catch phrase and mix it with curse words. They can be held accountable whether they believe in Him or not. It makes absolutely no difference. They do have other words they can use. Makes you wonder why they choose that one.

Answer 6

The original meaning was the one you describe. You are not supposed to ask god for frivolous things or things you don't mean. If you call down a curse you should mean it. Thus the use of god's name in an exclamation doesn't really qualify while the use of the term "god damn" followed by the name of someone is in vain if you don't truly wish for that someone to burn in hell for all eternity.

Note that it has nothing to do with lying under oath - that is covered by the false witness commandment. It also has nothing to do with most of the dirty words that are commonly referred to as cussing. It has only to do with the original meaning of cussing which is to say cursing in the literal, god's wrath sense.

Answer 7

I tell my kids that if you use the Lord's name in any way that is not revering and respecting Him, then you are using it in vain. Another big one these days everyone is saying is, Holy Cow. Only God is Holy, so that really bugs me. If you say God, Lord, Jesus, and you are not talking to Him or about Him, then you are using His name in vain.

Answer 8

Have you ever been in a room with many people and you hear someone call out your name, only to discover there is someone else in the room with the same name.

There is only one God and he is referred to by different names. So image how frustrating it would be if he looks down upon someone who says oh God, but is not really speaking to God.

So all who say God or Jesus Christ or other of his names, but are not truly speaking to God are using his name in vain.

Answer 9

The Hebrews executed people for doing it. In fact it was what the Sanhedrin accused Jesus of.
It was not about cursing. "Goddammit" was not what they meant.
What Jesus was tried and condemned for was claiming to be God's son. In effect God himself.
This was, for a Jew the ultimate blasphemy. He was claiming the name of God for himself.
Yes in vanity taking the Lord's name. A big no no.
------
Actually, towards your point about Cursing.
Wouldn't saying something like "God Damn the dope dealers." be more related to a prayer than a name taking?

Answer 10

Thumbs up to you for looking at the issue critically! Too many people hear "do not take the Lord's name in vain" and then, instead of thinking about what those words mean, they interpret it in the way they were tought, such as "don't use God's name as a cuss word". Using God's name as a cuss word deffinatly falls into the category of taking the Lord's name in vain, but that isn't specifically what this commandment is speaking about.

The word "vain" literally means "empty". Therefore, we can restate this commandment in modern wording as "do not take the Lord's name in emptiness (or emptily)". This means using it in an empty way, not reverencing it with use. This can be done several ways, and is not limited to using it in speech.

One way it can be done, is to take the name of the Lord on yourself, (that is, say you follow Him, belong to Him, are representing Him as one of His children or servants, etc;) and then living in a way that contradicts that, living in sin and selfishness, thereby making your "taking of the Lord's name" empty.

Or, in speech, using the Lord's name without reverence and recognition of who He is, or missusing it in any way, is using it emptily. This includes using it as a cuss word, or cursing someone by God's name, which is a wrong use of His name. But, it also includes using His name as an exclaimation or an interjection, such as saying "Oh God!" or any other such thing, except if you are actually calling on Him. If you are talking TO Him, as in calling on His name in trouble, and truely calling on Him (such as "Oh God, help me!" if you were in trouble) then that's one thing, it isn't an empty use of His name. But if you are just throwing "God" and "Lord" and "Jesus" around like common words and expressions, then you are using God's name emptily. There is nothing wrong with using interjections like "for Pete's sake!", because we don't have to reverence the name of Pete! But God is holy, and His name is holy.

Making false claims about God is also using His name emptily. Telling someone "God said to me ______" or "God told me to do this" if in fact God said nothing to you, is using His name in vain. Telling someone "God will do this!" when God will not, or "God acts in this way" or "God is this kind of God" when He is not, is all using His name in vain. This is why we need to read the Bible and get to know God's Word, so we can really know what God is like and tell others and recognize when He is talking to us.

You are very right to say it makes a difference as to why you are saying God's name. And it also makes a difference as to how we are saying it. Whenever God's name comes out of our mouth, it should be in a way that gives Him glory. "And whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." (Colossians 3:17)

Anywho, I hope this helps! God bless!

Edit- Good answer by amber_lanae28!