OMG!

Exodus 20:7 AMPC

You shall not use or repeat the name of the Lord your God in vain [that is, lightly or frivolously, in false affirmations or profanely]; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.

Growing up, I remember, very clearly, my mum explaining this commandment. "Don't take God's name in vain", she said gently. "God the Father sent Jesus to give up His Life for us - so we should never misuse God's name in a curse or casual way."

It's a Name that is precious, like the "crown jewels" of our vocabulary.

And, like the crown jewels, it should be safeguarded and used with reverence - it's super special and holy.

Today, blaspheming and profaning God's name isn't thought of as wrong. It's considered the norm

Yet it IS one of the 10 commandments.

Any movie or TV program will lace the script liberally with various forms of blasphemy. We're being brain washed and programmed into repeating it mindlessly.

It seems that non-believers use the name of God more than Christians, just in their everyday conversations or social media chats.

"Oh! my god!" is now shortened to "OMG" and is used to express surprise, shock etc. I have a particular aversion to this trivilisation and deminishing of God's Name.

Do I love the name of the Lord, do I treasure Jesus? Then I must always treat His Name as precious and use it with awe.

The Lord's Prayer, which Jesus gave us, starts with "Hallowed be Your Name". That's puts God in His rightful place.

Philippians 2:8-11 NLT

Jesus humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross. [9] Therefore, God elevated Him to the place of highest honour and gave Him the Name above all other names, [10] that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the Glory of God the Father.

Our God is an awesome God - His Name will subdue the nations "Handle with care"!