As a child I remember first hearing the word vain to describe the wicked stepmother that was always out to get the princess I so adored from the fairy tale of Cinderella. I'd also heard the word when learning of the Ten Commandments during church. But I didn't understand the word. In fact having had the KJV version of the Bible as my first and only exposure to God's Word, I found I didn't understand a lot of words. And being a child of course I didn't think to ask what it meant either. I just went about my business as usual and knew it was something not to be. It was obvious to me at the time that it meant a mean person and something God was against.
Now having an understanding in the Word I realize that the word vain from my fairy tales and the vain that God warns us against are two VERY different meanings.
Exodus 20:7 in the NIV says, “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name." To study further, the original Hebrew “Nasa” (pronounced naw-saw) literally reads, “Do not carry the name of the Lord your God in vain.” Then the Commandment continues, “for God will not hold guiltless (literally, “will not cleanse” or “who will not hold him to be clean that carries His name in vain”) whoever carries His name in vain.”
I love that we have different translations of God's Word because there are some words that have clearer resonance than others and at different times in our lives. The NIV puts a whole new light to God's third Commandment and part of Jesus' 1st Commandment on how to love God by respecting and having reverence for His name.
Some people believe that because there are so many versions of the Bible that it has become corrupt. I have learned that if you study the original words from the original manuscripts and their meaning they have the same meanings of the more modern words that have become our vocabulary today. I highly recommend keeping the KJV version side by side as well as a concordance with the version you are studying so as to make sure you are getting the correct context and also to follow up, if you're like me, what you were taught previous to coming into understanding.
So the definition of vain is "useless, producing no results" - to me this means we are to honor his Name, that it is to be kept Holy above all others. When we say His name it should affect us and those around us that is for His Glory. James 3:9-10 speaks of the tongue as a powerful part of the body: “With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” Our goal is to be consistent in our use of words, so they would serve as a blessing to God and to others.
I often hear people making remarks with the Lord's name as the means of an interjection at the end of their sentence or as a swear word. It pierces and breaks my heart each time. I know these people don't know God the way I do or love Him, and don't realize they are cursing their maker. I am sure it is just a habit to them now but until I knew the Lord I never realized how many people misuse his Name.
Jesus taught us that God's name is to be hallowed when praying. Reading His teaching of this caused me to ponder greatly on what it meant to me. What is hallowed and what is God's name to me? It was revealed to me that I too misuse His name. I have been guilty of calling on Him at times when I don't really mean it, not purposefully but idly out of habit and taking His name for granted. I have had to learn to identify when I do this with the Holy Spirit's help so that I may ask forgiveness of it right away and humble myself and consider that conviction the next time before I call on His name whether that be in prayer, song, or praising and worshiping.
Names are a pretty big deal to God. Have you ever noticed how He re-names His children once they come to know Him? He renamed Abram to Abraham, Jacob to Israel, and Saul to Paul. These are just a few to speak of. Because God thinks so highly of us to name us, it is awesome to know that He calls us by a new identity with a will for our life. Names can be a pretty big deal to us too. Think about it. When someone uses your name, it really speaks to you; you feel important and recognized.
There are so many names for God that honor who He is. I once learned all His names in Sunday School and at first I felt so foreign to them. But as I grew in the Lord I now find them holy and personal to me. I think my favorite is Emmanuel because it speaks to my heart of the trinity in how God is with us in whole, in all three parts of Himself. Complete. And that He never leaves. I thank God for sending Jesus who lived with us here only to ascend into heaven and give the gift of the Holy Spirit. I thank God that the Holy Spirit resides in me and that I have access to Him through the Holy Spirit because of Jesus' sacrifice. Emmanuel means God is with me.
Here are other names I identify with God, and there are many lists you can study of names people used from the Bible to find what names for Him speak to you:
Adonai (Lord, Master)
Spirit of Truth
My Comforter
Lord
Savior
Heavenly Father
Jesus Christ
God
El Shaddai (Lord God Almighty)
Father
Prince of Peace
Yahweh
The Lord our God knows His children by the way they speak of Him, of His name. This honors Him and shows our praise for Him. I too find delight when my children call me their mother. It is a special name and I honor it. It is an act of Love to God.
"Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory [is] above the earth and heaven." Psa 148:13
