Bob Estey
Well-Known Member
People don't say, "Father, we had bad weather!" People say, "God, we had bad weather!" They know what the word "God" means.
Is Swearing a Violation of the Ten Commandments? - No. - Well, maybe... ???
- Thread starter St. SteVen
- Start date
-
Welcome to Christian Forums, a Christian Forum that recognizes that all Christians are a work in progress.
You will need to register to be able to join in fellowship with Christians all over the world.
We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!
So, is that really a misuse of God's "name" (title?) according to the Ten Commandments?
Is that what God was informing the Israelites of in the wilderness?
As I recall, they weren't even allowed to speak the name of God.
That's why the OT uses YHWH instead of God;s actual name, which we are unsure of.
It seems that what you are restating is the modern take that I think is erroneous.
What do you make of all this? I appreciate your engagement in this discussion. BTW
]
Bob Estey
Well-Known Member
Yes, that is a misuse of the Lord's name.
I believe that is what the Lord was informing the Israelites in the wilderness.
I don't address the Lord by his name - I address him as "Father" (as I mentioned before).
I don't believe I am erroneous in this matter.
Why would anyone need to invoke the Lord's name in statements such as, "God, the weather is awful!" Doesn't that seem disrespectful?
It's nice to be in a discussion which is a search for the truth.
Bob Estey
Well-Known Member
... And when I talk about the Lord, I refer to him as "Lord" or "God," and not by his name.
So, you think the Israelites had a problem with saying "God" this... and "God" that...?
That seems very strange to me.
]
Bob Estey
Well-Known Member
Phoneman777
Well-Known Member
- Jan 14, 2015
- 8,124
- 2,765
- 113
- Faith
- Christian
- Country
- United States
If you'll inform your rainbow sympathizing ilk of their scheduled swim meet in Fire Lake.
--- PARODY ---
The Welcome Wagon
Christian neighbor: Welcome to the neighbor. I brought you a plate of cookies.
New neighbor: Thank you, that's very kind.
Christian neighbor: We noticed while you were moving in that you wear rainbow T-Shirts and such.
New neighbor: Uh... yes, I suppose we do. ???
Christian neighbor: I need to warn you about the judgment of God.
New neighbor: Say what? !!!
Christian neighbor: LGBTQ people will burn in hell.
New neighbor: Here are your cookies back. We don't want them.
Christian neighbor: Was it something I said?
New neighbor: Ya think? !!!
/
I believe that the common understanding of that commandment is wrong. It is not about swearing. It is about taking up God's name in the process of committing evil. It is about doing evil in God's name. Examples might be the advocating of slavery, such as was done in the early years of the nation, and claiming that it is with God's acceptance. Or it is the lying, stealing, murder of infidels as proclaimed by Muslim adherents to Islam who say they are doing so in God's honor.Follow-up to the topic:
Is Lying a Violation of the Ten Commandments? - No. - Well, maybe... ???
The 9th Commandments reads: “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. - EXODUS 20:16 NIV Giving false testimony is perjury specifically, not lying in general. ??? perjury /pûr′jə-rē/ noun The crime of willfully and knowingly making a false statement about a material fact...www.christianityboard.com
The common understanding is that "taking the Lord's name in vain" is what we have labeled "swearing", that is using the word "God" as an expletive. But is that what this commandment is referring to? In the same way we repackaged the commandment about not bearing false witness (perjury) as lying, we have repacked this commandment too. What does it actually mean?
It is the only one of the ten commandments that carries with it a stated punishment; Exo 20:7 "........for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain." That is just how serious God considers disobedience of that commandment to be. Surely, God would not consider swearing worse that murder.
I believe it is very close to the same idea that Jesus expressed in condemning the blaspheming of the Holy Spirit (Matt 12:31).
That's an interesting view. Did you know that slavery was common in ancient times?
- Ephesians 6:5
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.
- Ephesians 6:9
And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.
- Colossians 3:22
Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.
- Colossians 4:1
Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
- 1 Timothy 6:2
Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare of their slaves. These are the things you are to teach and insist on.
- Titus 2:9
Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them,
- 1 Peter 2:18
Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.
]
But none of those passages condone slavery generally or condone Christians owning slaves. All are little more than recognition of the existence of slavery.
And by the way, slavery is not uncommon in parts of the world today. Some obvious examples are China and North Korea even if it is state operated slavery and not personal ownership of slaves.
These two seem to condone slavery generally and condone Christians owning slaves. They remind Christian masters that we ALL are slaves.
- Ephesians 6:9
And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that
he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.
- Colossians 4:1
Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
Agree.
]
You are positing some of the faulty arguments given by the early American slave holders. I won't bother to go through the counter arguments here. You can look that up on your own and then make up your own mind which is best.
Phoneman777
Well-Known Member
- Jan 14, 2015
- 8,124
- 2,765
- 113
- Faith
- Christian
- Country
- United States
Isaiah 58:1 KJV
[1] Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.
Ezekiel 33:6 KJV
[6] But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.
Wick Stick
Well-Known Member
I don't think Commandment #3 is about swearing at all. It's about prophecy. False prophecy.Follow-up to the topic:
Is Lying a Violation of the Ten Commandments? - No. - Well, maybe... ???
The 9th Commandments reads: “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. - EXODUS 20:16 NIV Giving false testimony is perjury specifically, not lying in general. ??? perjury /pûr′jə-rē/ noun The crime of willfully and knowingly making a false statement about a material fact...
The common understanding is that "taking the Lord's name in vain" is what we have labeled "swearing", that is using the word "God" as an expletive. But is that what this commandment is referring to? In the same way we repackaged the commandment about not bearing false witness (perjury) as lying, we have repacked this commandment too. What does it actually mean?
Exodus 20:7 NIV
“You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
Deuteronomy 5:11 NIV
“You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
Matthew 5:34-37 NIV
But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne;
35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.
36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.
37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.[a]
James 5:12 NIV
Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else.
All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.
]
If we say some something "in the name" of someone, we are acting on their behalf, as their representative. "In the name of King Richard, I command you..." is valid if you're an ambassador of King Richard.
When we say or act "in the name of God" we are presenting ourselves as His representatives - we usually call those prophets. If you're legitimately a prophet, or if God has given you a message, that's valid.
But if God didn't give you a message, and you're telling someone something "in God's name," then you're in violation of #3.
David Lamb
Active Member
Although I agree that the commandment is not about using expletives, there are plenty of references in Scripture to making sure that our speech is pure. For example:
“Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” (Col 4:6 NKJV)
“Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.” (Jas 3:5-10 NKJV)
I don't think it is possible to hold that the Scriptures are OK with bad language.
Yes, you are correct; that commandment is not about swearing. It is about doing evil and claiming it is being done in God's name. A prime example of that is all the evil perpetrated under the Islam identity. All the evil that is carried out against the "infidel" in the name of "Alah" is called out by that commandment.
It is interesting to note that the commandment to not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, is the only one of the Ten Commandments for which a punishment for failure to obey is stated.
Exo 20:7 "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.
That seems to make it all the more egregious in disobedience. It doesn't make any sense at all that God would consider swearing worse than stealing or murder. But He does, in that commandment, seem to consider evil done in His name worse that stealing or murder.
It reminds me of the "unforgiveable sin" that Jesus spoke of (Matt 12:31; Mark 3:29).
Lambano
Well-Known Member
The concept of taboo words (cue the George Carlin tape) is culturally-dependent. I told the story elsewhere (when you get old, you repeat your stories), but one of my Korean vendors told me that Korean doesn't have taboo words, so those in Korea who are bilingual use the English ones when they need to blow off steam. Cussing: One of America's most in-demand exports.
"But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell." -Matthew 5:22
Jesus's point is not that "raca" is the Aramaic equivalent of the F-bomb (the commentaries say it's closer to calling someone empty-headed); what is being highlighted is our practice of using our words to tear down one another as the James 3:5-10 quote makes clear. It's not the word itself; it's the heart issue behind the words. And that issue crosses all languages and cultures.
And if you disagree with me, raca!
Similar threads
