What’s in a Name?

In ancient times, names often signified some characteristic of the person.

While names may not be chosen in that way today, a person’s name still denotes a person’s character.

When people hear a name the characteristics of that person are what come to mind (honest, trustworthy, loyal, liar, cheat, etc.)… You are what you do.

Most people like to keep a good name, and get upset when their name is somehow defiled.

What about God’s name?

There are many names for God throughout the Bible, all of which are descriptive of some attribute of His.

Elohim - Creator

Yahweh/Jehovah - Lord

El Shadai - God almighty

Adonai - Lord

Jehovah Jireh - The Lord will Provide

Yahweh Rapha - The Lord who heals

Yahweh Nissi - The Lord our banner

Yahweh M’Kaddesh - The Lord who sanctifies

Yahweh Shalom - The Lord our peace

Yahweh Rohi - The Lord our shepherd

…and there are even more. All of these names, when taken together, represent His perfection.

The Lord, who is perfect, wants His name to always reflect that fact. Thus, His name should never be defiled.

To represent the Lord as anything but perfect, would simply be a lie, and it will greatly displease the Lord.

What does it mean to take the Lord’s name in vain?

It may be more than you think.

We typically equate it with using His name to curse, but is far more than just that..

We should never falsely swear by His name.

Leviticus 19:12

Leviticus 19:12 NKJV

And you shall not swear by My name falsely, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the Lord.

This makes any false statement using God’s name is wrong.

As a Christian, you bear the name of God, you are His representative.

As His representative, you are expected to rightly represent Him.

As HIs representative, His name is permanently associated with you, you take it everywhere. Some of us even have the t-shirt.

This means that any sinful activity by a Christian has God’s name attached to it.

A bad testimony, improper service, or giving the second best to God disobeys this commandment.

Ezekiel 36:20-23

Ezekiel 36:20–23 NKJV

When they came to the nations, wherever they went, they profaned My holy name—when they said of them, ‘These are the people of the Lord, and yet they have gone out of His land.’ But I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations wherever they went. “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name’s sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went. And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the Lord,” says the Lord God, “when I am hallowed in you before their eyes.

Malachi 1:10-14

Malachi 1:10–14 NKJV

“Who is there even among you who would shut the doors, So that you would not kindle fire on My altar in vain? I have no pleasure in you,” Says the Lord of hosts, “Nor will I accept an offering from your hands. For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, My name shall be great among the Gentiles; In every place incense shall be offered to My name, And a pure offering; For My name shall be great among the nations,” Says the Lord of hosts. “But you profane it, In that you say, ‘The table of the Lord is defiled; And its fruit, its food, is contemptible.’ You also say, ‘Oh, what a weariness!’ And you sneer at it,” Says the Lord of hosts. “And you bring the stolen, the lame, and the sick; Thus you bring an offering! Should I accept this from your hand?” Says the Lord. “But cursed be the deceiver Who has in his flock a male, And takes a vow, But sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished— For I am a great King,” Says the Lord of hosts, “And My name is to be feared among the nations.

Clearly, this is far more than a prohibition on “cussing.”

True adherence to this commandment demands worship of the Lord through both our words and our lifestyle.

Colossians 3:17

Colossians 3:17 NKJV

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Romans 12:1

Romans 12:1 NKJV

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

Your entire body, your whole being, should be devoted to serving God.

There is nothing that should be withheld, Jesus didn't withhold anything, and neither should you.

You should be alive and eager to serve.

You should be vibrant and enthusiastic, your service full of joy and praise.

Paul goes on to say that you are to be holy. That doesn't mean perfect, it simply means to be set apart for God.

You belong to God, and you should act like it.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 NKJV

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

The only way to be holy is to accept the sacrifice of Jesus and to trust Him as your savior.

Hebrews 11:6

Hebrews 11:6 NKJV

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Ephesians 2:8-9

Ephesians 2:8–9 NKJV

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

This is what makes you acceptable to God, and to be acceptable simply means pleasing.

Can a compromised lifestyle ever be truly acceptable (pleasing) to God?

Paul says all this to say that this it is your reasonable service.

Through this kind of faithful lifestyle, not only will you not be taking the Lord’s name in vain, you will be honoring it.