Dirk Taljaard

Reading from Scripture

Exodus 20:7

Do not use my name for evil purposes, for I, the Lord your God, will punish anyone who misuses my name.

‘Don’t’ and ‘you shouldn’t’ are words often used to correct the conduct of children. They hear this quite frequently. Maybe too often. It is one way often instilling the concepts of right and wrong. Even though parents mean well, children sometimes become immune to these corrective warnings.

Even though we do not always welcome well-intentioned advice, our heavenly Father keeps on reminding us what is best for us.

He also warns us not to use his name for evil purposes. What does that actually mean?

• First of all it warns us against using his name as a stopgap. One sometimes wonders why people have to use ‘God’ and ‘Lord’ in almost every sentence. Listen to the scripts of films and theatre productions. It is to cry for. In some cultures it has become second nature – people do not even realise it any more. We need to create a new awareness to abstain from such a habit, especially when the Lord’s name is precious and holy to us.

• We need to be very carefully not to use his name frivolously. When we sing to his glory, it should be more than mere words. We often know the words of the songs by heart and could easily fall into the trap of just uttering words without even thinking. Jesus warned us about using a lot of meaningless words whilst praying (Matt 6:7). And how awkward to hear someone addressing the Lord in the third person (as if He is absent) whilst talking to Him, or when every sentence is started and ended with his Name!

 • One often shudders when you hear people speak ‘on God’s behalf’ as though they truly understand or fathom his ways of operating. Some people consider themselves qualified to ‘speak on God’s behalf’ and ‘declare’ things to be in line with his will – often with the best of intentions. But in doing so, God is implicated in the most severe injustices, the worst pain and suffering and the most heartbreaking circumstances….

Use his Name with the utmost care.

Lord, may your holy Name be honoured in my life today. Amen.