Thou shalt not take the Lord's name in vain

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Ziggy

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When I was baptised at the age of 17. I am now 57, (40 years) interesting, just saw that.
I was baptised in the Name of Christ.
That day, I took the name Christian as it was given to me by God to bear.

What does it mean then to take the name of the Lord thy God in vain?
I always thought it meant not to use God's name as a swear or to use it against someone.

Today I read it in a different light.

I bear the name of Christ in my body, in my mind, in my Spirit.
It is mine to wear as a testimony of Christ in me.
I am His and He is mine.
And in his Name I am become an Ambassador of Christ.
I carry his insignia, his signature is embeded in my forehead and in my hands.

His crown of thorns is my crown. His pierced hands and feet are my hands and feet.
My punishment, my name he took on him and died in my stead.

My name is written in His blood that he poured out for me.
And now I walk in His name, in the name of Christian.
And my name is written in the lamb's book of life.

Thou shalt not take the name of Christ in vain.
But walk worthy by which the name that you are called.

Thinking..
Hugs
 

farouk

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When I was baptised at the age of 17. I am now 57, (40 years) interesting, just saw that.
I was baptised in the Name of Christ.
That day, I took the name Christian as it was given to me by God to bear.

What does it mean then to take the name of the Lord thy God in vain?
I always thought it meant not to use God's name as a swear or to use it against someone.

Today I read it in a different light.

I bear the name of Christ in my body, in my mind, in my Spirit.
It is mine to wear as a testimony of Christ in me.
I am His and He is mine.
And in his Name I am become an Ambassador of Christ.
I carry his insignia, his signature is embeded in my forehead and in my hands.

His crown of thorns is my crown. His pierced hands and feet are my hands and feet.
My punishment, my name he took on him and died in my stead.

My name is written in His blood that he poured out for me.
And now I walk in His name, in the name of Christian.
And my name is written in the lamb's book of life.

Thou shalt not take the name of Christ in vain.
But walk worthy by which the name that you are called.

Thinking..
Hugs
@Ziggy Some good thoughts there....

"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called" (Ephesians 4.1).
 

EloyCraft

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I think then someone takes His Name in vain if someone takes it as their own but His image and likeness is never seen
 
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ScottA

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Vain
וֹ שׁוֹ(H7722) in the sense of desolating: emptiness, vanity, falsehood

This is the way some only partly or in name only considerer themselves "Christian" or believe in God. Which is to say, even halfheartedly, or hypocritically.

Which is interesting...because Jesus refers to these as "evil servants", for which He will "cut" them "in two" (or pieces)--meaning not fully to receive of Him all that He promised and intended while we are alive and remain in the world. These are those who are reserved and hold back, having been born first of the flesh, prefer it and put off the things of the Spirit, even quenching Him in His work, not entering in--which was the sin of those who love the law of sin and death.

For which we too should be warned.
 

Ziggy

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2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2Ti 3:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
2Ti 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

2Co 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2Co 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2Co 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Phl 4:3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

Rev 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Exo 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.


Jhn 10:36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
Jhn 10:37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
Jhn 10:38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.


Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? (Vain)
Mat 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. (Vain)
Mat 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Mat 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. (it is vanity)
Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Thank You
still thinking..
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Enoch111

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What does it mean then to take the name of the Lord thy God in vain? I always thought it meant not to use God's name as a swear or to use it against someone. Today I read it in a different light.
Except that your interpretation does not correspond to what is stated in the Ten Commandments. It refers to speaking the name of God lightly.
"Thou shall not take the name of the Lord God in vain,.... Make use of the name Lord or God, or any other name and epithet of the divine Being, in a light and trifling way, without any show of reverence of him, and affection to him; whereas the name of God ought never to be mentioned but in a grave and serious manner, and with an awe of the greatness of his majesty upon the mind." -- Gill's commentary.
 
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Ziggy

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Take:
The KJV translates Strong's H5375 in the following manner: (bare, lift, etc...) up (219x), bear (115x), take (58x), bare (34x), carry (30x), (take, carry)..away (22x), borne (22x), armourbearer (18x), forgive (16x), accept (12x), exalt (8x), regard (5x), obtained (4x), respect (3x), miscellaneous (74x).

Exo 20:7 Thou shalt not take H5375 the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh H5375 his name in vain.

The word translated doesn't have "speak" in it.
However I agree that our words should be spoken as the oracles of God by the spirit of God in us.

1Pe 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

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Robert Gwin

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When I was baptised at the age of 17. I am now 57, (40 years) interesting, just saw that.
I was baptised in the Name of Christ.
That day, I took the name Christian as it was given to me by God to bear.

What does it mean then to take the name of the Lord thy God in vain?
I always thought it meant not to use God's name as a swear or to use it against someone.

Today I read it in a different light.

I bear the name of Christ in my body, in my mind, in my Spirit.
It is mine to wear as a testimony of Christ in me.
I am His and He is mine.
And in his Name I am become an Ambassador of Christ.
I carry his insignia, his signature is embeded in my forehead and in my hands.

His crown of thorns is my crown. His pierced hands and feet are my hands and feet.
My punishment, my name he took on him and died in my stead.

My name is written in His blood that he poured out for me.
And now I walk in His name, in the name of Christian.
And my name is written in the lamb's book of life.

Thou shalt not take the name of Christ in vain.
But walk worthy by which the name that you are called.

Thinking..
Hugs

There is a kind of positive side of this topic maam. Most people do not even know the name of that LORD. If one does not know His name, then it is illogical that they can deliberately do that. The greatest example of it is this: The Israelites who were privileged to bear Jehovah’s name as his witnesses and who became apostate were in effect taking up and carrying about Jehovah’s name in a worthless way.—Isa 43:10; Eze 36:20, 21.

As you mentioned, it would not be wise to take the name of Jesus in vain either.
 
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Ziggy

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There is a kind of positive side of this topic maam. Most people do not even know the name of that LORD. If one does not know His name, then it is illogical that they can deliberately do that. The greatest example of it is this: The Israelites who were privileged to bear Jehovah’s name as his witnesses and who became apostate were in effect taking up and carrying about Jehovah’s name in a worthless way.—Isa 43:10; Eze 36:20, 21.

As you mentioned, it would not be wise to take the name of Jesus in vain either.
Just looking around...

Exo 6:3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.

I believe our Lord has as many names as he has mansions. And He reveals His name to those He chooses.
So, what's in the name? How does God reveal himself through his name?
And does he have other names that he was known by in other parts of the world outside of Israel?

Isa 65:1 I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name.

This verse in Isaiah reminds me of the name of the Unknown God which Paul made known in Athens.

Act 17:22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
Act 17:23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
Act 17:24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
Act 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Act 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

This whole time in Athens during this discourse the name of Jesus Christ is not mentioned. Neither is God Almighty or Jehovah.
But is made known to them as the Creator and Lord of heaven and Earth.

That nation He hadn't given a name to.. yet.
But would be made known to them:
Act 17:32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.
Act 17:33 So Paul departed from among them.
Act 17:34 Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

Act 18:1 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;
Act 18:4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
Act 18:5 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.
Act 18:6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

This is where the name change, a new name was being given to a new nation of both Jews and Greeks.
It would be just as easy to say, but by my name Jesus Christ they did not know me as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had not known him by his name Jehovah. But he is always known as God Almighty, The Lord our God, The Lord, Creator of heaven and earth.
His being never changes, but he reveals himself to different people by different names. And in different forms.
He appeared as an angel to Hagar by the well, to Moses in a burning bush, to Israel as thunder and lightening in a mountain,
and finally in the form of a man. There are probably other forms as well as other names that are known in other cultures outside of the Torah and the New Testament.

But I believe that the truth is God made man in his image and likeness. And it is this man Jesus Christ that he made known to the world who he is.
That Jesus Christ in his glorified state, not the fallen flesh, but the resurrected body, is the very image and likeness of God.

Heb 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
Heb 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
Heb 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Heb 1:4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

The Majesty...
μεγαλωσύνη megalōsýnē, meg-al-o-soo'-nay; from G3173; greatness, i.e. (figuratively) divinity (often God himself):—majesty.

Jde 1:25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, G3172 dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

And then there is:
Exo 3:15 And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.

The whole chapter Isaiah 52.

Then there is Baal and Baalim and this one with many names plays a significant role throughout time by drawing men away from
God Almighty, creator of heaven and earth, Our God and Saviour, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Jehovah, Jesus Christ.

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
Which one?

Act 4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
Act 4:9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
Act 4:10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
Act 4:11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
Act 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

What does it mean: This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders?

All throughout the bible man has looked to build a house for the Lord. David had it in his heart, but it was given to Solomon to build.
And it was taken from Solomon and given to...Jesus who came to build his own house in his own name.
In which we the people are that house that he resides in and we abide in Him.

My Father's house shall be called a house of prayer.
But ye have turned it into a den of thieves.

Just rambling...
Hugs
 

dev553344

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When I was baptised at the age of 17. I am now 57, (40 years) interesting, just saw that.
I was baptised in the Name of Christ.
That day, I took the name Christian as it was given to me by God to bear.

What does it mean then to take the name of the Lord thy God in vain?
I always thought it meant not to use God's name as a swear or to use it against someone.

Today I read it in a different light.

I bear the name of Christ in my body, in my mind, in my Spirit.
It is mine to wear as a testimony of Christ in me.
I am His and He is mine.
And in his Name I am become an Ambassador of Christ.
I carry his insignia, his signature is embeded in my forehead and in my hands.

His crown of thorns is my crown. His pierced hands and feet are my hands and feet.
My punishment, my name he took on him and died in my stead.

My name is written in His blood that he poured out for me.
And now I walk in His name, in the name of Christian.
And my name is written in the lamb's book of life.

Thou shalt not take the name of Christ in vain.
But walk worthy by which the name that you are called.

Thinking..
Hugs
I was always taught it meant using God's name as a swear word. But I've grown beyond that definition. I'm pretty sure it means don't take your covenants lightly.
 
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quietthinker

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Thou shalt not take the Lord's name in vain
The word 'name' in scripture refers to a persons character. Different ones in the record have had their 'names' changed to reflect a shift, like Abram to Abraham or Jacob to Israel.....the meanings of which if you are curious enough, you can explore.

The Lord's name is his character, ie what he is like......and how is he?
Moses saw God's 'back' as God passed by declaring:-

Exodus 33:18-19.....
Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”
And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

Exodus 34:6
“The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.....'

The Lord's name is manifest in Jesus' incarnation.....how do we read it?

Taking the Lord's name in vain means to present him in a light which does not reflect his character.

You can ask yourself the question, is God represented
accurately in all the religious strutting (whatever form it takes).....all the unsolicited advice? and or 'do we make Jesus in our image'?
Do we plaster 'our name' onto him?

To push this a little further.....did the Prophets in many cases misrepresent God?
Did God use them in spite of their poor understanding of him?.....of course......he even used a donkey......and Jesus said to those giving him a hard time as he rode into Jerusalem (yes, on a donkey) 'if these should keep their silence, the stones would cry out' Luke 19:39-40
 
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Robert Gwin

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Just looking around...

Exo 6:3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.

I believe our Lord has as many names as he has mansions. And He reveals His name to those He chooses.
So, what's in the name? How does God reveal himself through his name?
And does he have other names that he was known by in other parts of the world outside of Israel?

Isa 65:1 I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name.

This verse in Isaiah reminds me of the name of the Unknown God which Paul made known in Athens.

Act 17:22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
Act 17:23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
Act 17:24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
Act 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Act 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

This whole time in Athens during this discourse the name of Jesus Christ is not mentioned. Neither is God Almighty or Jehovah.
But is made known to them as the Creator and Lord of heaven and Earth.

That nation He hadn't given a name to.. yet.
But would be made known to them:
Act 17:32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.
Act 17:33 So Paul departed from among them.
Act 17:34 Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

Act 18:1 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;
Act 18:4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
Act 18:5 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.
Act 18:6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

This is where the name change, a new name was being given to a new nation of both Jews and Greeks.
It would be just as easy to say, but by my name Jesus Christ they did not know me as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had not known him by his name Jehovah. But he is always known as God Almighty, The Lord our God, The Lord, Creator of heaven and earth.
His being never changes, but he reveals himself to different people by different names. And in different forms.
He appeared as an angel to Hagar by the well, to Moses in a burning bush, to Israel as thunder and lightening in a mountain,
and finally in the form of a man. There are probably other forms as well as other names that are known in other cultures outside of the Torah and the New Testament.

But I believe that the truth is God made man in his image and likeness. And it is this man Jesus Christ that he made known to the world who he is.
That Jesus Christ in his glorified state, not the fallen flesh, but the resurrected body, is the very image and likeness of God.

Heb 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
Heb 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
Heb 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Heb 1:4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

The Majesty...
μεγαλωσύνη megalōsýnē, meg-al-o-soo'-nay; from G3173; greatness, i.e. (figuratively) divinity (often God himself):—majesty.

Jde 1:25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, G3172 dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

And then there is:
Exo 3:15 And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.

The whole chapter Isaiah 52.

Then there is Baal and Baalim and this one with many names plays a significant role throughout time by drawing men away from
God Almighty, creator of heaven and earth, Our God and Saviour, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Jehovah, Jesus Christ.

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
Which one?

Act 4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
Act 4:9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
Act 4:10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
Act 4:11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
Act 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

What does it mean: This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders?

All throughout the bible man has looked to build a house for the Lord. David had it in his heart, but it was given to Solomon to build.
And it was taken from Solomon and given to...Jesus who came to build his own house in his own name.
In which we the people are that house that he resides in and we abide in Him.

My Father's house shall be called a house of prayer.
But ye have turned it into a den of thieves.

Just rambling...
Hugs

God has one name maam, you mentioned it early in your post. Do you know of any other name for Him?
 

Ziggy

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Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

His name is Jesus Christ.
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Waiting on him

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There is a kind of positive side of this topic maam. Most people do not even know the name of that LORD. If one does not know His name, then it is illogical that they can deliberately do that. The greatest example of it is this: The Israelites who were privileged to bear Jehovah’s name as his witnesses and who became apostate were in effect taking up and carrying about Jehovah’s name in a worthless way.—Isa 43:10; Eze 36:20, 21.

As you mentioned, it would not be wise to take the name of Jesus in vain either.
Do you guys call Jesus lord?
 
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Cassandra

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Thou shalt not take the Lord's name in vain
The word 'name' in scripture refers to a persons character. Different ones in the record have had their 'names' changed to reflect a shift, like Abram to Abraham or Jacob to Israel.....the meanings of which if you are curious enough, you can explore.

The Lord's name is his character, ie what he is like......and how is he?
Moses saw God's 'back' as God passed by declaring:-

Exodus 33:18-19.....
Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”
And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

Exodus 34:6
“The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.....'

The Lord's name is manifest in Jesus' incarnation.....how do we read it?

Taking the Lord's name in vain means to present him in a light which does not reflect his character.

You can ask yourself the question, is God represented
accurately in all the religious strutting (whatever form it takes).....all the unsolicited advice? and or 'do we make Jesus in our image'?
Do we plaster 'our name' onto him?

To push this a little further.....did the Prophets in many cases misrepresent God?
Did God use them in spite of their poor understanding of him?.....of course......he even used a donkey......and Jesus said to those giving him a hard time as he rode into Jerusalem (yes, on a donkey) 'if these should keep their silence, the stones would cry out' Luke 19:39-40

Oh, this is fantastic!!! Thank you!!!!! And so true.
Not only in our "reflection" of Him, but in the denial of His Creatorship, in both time and way of doing so.

Rev 14:7 :
7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

We have fallen so short of this. He makes all things for us, tells us how He does it, and we have the audacity to question it because it may not make sense to our mortal minds.