October 23 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

This commandment forbids the use of God's name for magic, false oaths, or other scandalous abuse.

Whenever we take the name of the Holy One on our lips to make ourselves sound impressive, to hurt someone else, or to strengthen an unreliable promise, God "will not hold [us] guiltless."

The abuse of God's name is strictly forbidden. We must always use the name reverently, carefully, and for a valid purpose. So we must not immediately connect this commandment with all those who do not know who God is—and who therefore regard his name lighter than breath. Instead we must think of this commandment first of all in connection with our religious life.

Old forms of magic aren't so common anymore. But politicians and national leaders still use the name of God to strengthen the cause of the country. The combination of national interests with the name of the Almighty should make us tremble. During World War II, the name of God was stamped on the buckle of every Nazi soldier's belt. That was outright blasphemy. But God's name does not belong on the currency of the United States either.

God's name may not be used for the sake of solemnity at funerals and weddings where hired clergymen baptize unholy affairs with Bible texts.

When we attend worship services and use the name of God simply because it's "the thing to do," we use God's name in vain. When we daydream through prayers, when we focus on the beat of the band or the harmony of the praise team, when we want our worship to be entertaining, we're using God's name in vain. It is the "sacrifice of fools" (Ecc. 5:1).

The intent of the commandment is not to hush up the name of our God. God's purpose is revealed in Jesus: "Repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations" (Luke 24:47).

REFLECTIONS

The expression "Oh my God" has become a throwaway line these days— especially on TV and when texting (shortened to OMG). How do you handle this kind of abuse of God's name?

Andrew Kuyvenhoven's Daylight, a modern devotional classic, was originally published by Paideia Press in 1977. This updated edition is copyright 2009 by Faith Alive Christian Resources. You can order a copy of this revised version of the book directly from the publisher.

A man of many accomplishments, Andrew Kuyvenhoven is probably best known for his contributions to Today (formerly The Family Altar), a widely-used monthly devotional booklet associated with the Back to God Hour. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations for this updated edition of Daylight are from the Holy Bible: Today's New International Version copyright 2001, 2005 by the International Bible Society.