The Value of God's Name

Why is a name so important? And why would God be so direct about how we are to use his name? Keep Reading…

READ
Exodus 20:7 ESV - “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."

REFLECT
When you first meet someone, you typically exchange names. The name is your entry point into relationship. Earlier in his life, Moses tended sheep on Mount Sinai. God showed up in a burning bush and spoke his name to Moses - the I Am. Their relationship had begun.

God has always chosen to relate personally to his creation. He does this by using his name. For his name speaks of his character. His name brings power and authority with it. His name draws us into deeper fellowship with him. It is an amazing fact that the Creator of the universe would stoop down to let us call him by name. Yet he does…

When we treat God's name as worthless or "in vain", we are trampling on the gift of relationship with God. We are essentially throwing mud on Jesus and denying any connection to him. And this all happens when we simply mutter, "Oh my G—".

Our words have power - the power to create life and the power to kill. We can breathe life over ourselves and others as we use the names of God with reverence. The authority of God can flow from our lives as we speak out and live under his precious name. Conversely, we can pile up guilt on our own heads when we treat God as common or worthless ("in vain").

RESPOND
If you lack self-control in your mouth, and profanity, along with the misuse of God's name is common, take time to repent. Click below for a more in-depth study on the names of God. The more you know his names, the stronger relationship you will have with him.

The Names of God