71_Taking the Lord’s name in vain Ex 20:7 “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.” Words cannot capture the majesty of the view when one is standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon, gazing into its breathtaking expanse. Yet how easily we can trivialize one of nature’s most awe-inspiring wonders by snapping a photo and moving on, with a casual remark. This is a faint reflection of how we often treat the name of the Lord indifferently—a name more majestic, holy, and awe-inspiring than any earthly wonder. Many interpret this command simply as a prohibition against using God’s name as a swear word. While true, this command goes far deeper, addressing the heart of how we treat the revelation of God’s character and presence. Throughout Scripture, God reveals Himself through His name. After healing the bitter waters of Marah, He declares Himself as Jehovah-Rapha, the Lord our Healer. Following Israel’s victory over the Amalekites, Moses calls him Jehovah-Nissi, the Lord our Banner. To Moses, the Lord proclaims, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” (Exodus 34:6). His name is Holy (Isaiah 57:15), Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). And in Jesus Christ, he revealed himself in all his fulness: “You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21). He is “King of kings and Lord of lords.” (Revelation 19:16). Psalm 79:9 pleads, “Deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name’s sake!”—a reminder that God’s actions are consistent with His name, flowing from His unchanging nature. To take His name in vain is not merely about speech. It is an empty appeal to a God that the speaker does not acknowledge as worthy of reverence, trust, and obedience. When our lives contradict the character of the God we profess to serve, we take his name in vain. The Israelites boasted of the temple of the Lord in their midst. Yet they ignored His commands to practice righteousness, by living with mercy and justice towards men, and humility before God. We also use his name in vain when we call Him Jehovah-Jireh yet doubt his provision and live in constant anxiety. We blaspheme his name when we declare him to be the Holy One, yet defer to human approval more than to the will of God. Psalm 111:9 reminds us, “Holy and awesome is his name,” yet our actions betray this acknowledgment all too often. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees in Matthew 15:8–9, quoting Isaiah: “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” The two key failures of the Pharisees were their tendency to offer prayers and praises to God, though their hearts were devoid of love, reverence, and devotion to him. Second, when we replace God’s truth with human traditions, even our religious acts become