Folks, there's something that's been weighing heavily on this old country preacher's heart.
We live in a time where many people think taking the Lord's name in vain means using God's name as a curse word. Now don't misunderstand me — using the holy name of God carelessly is wrong. The name of the LORD ought to be spoken with reverence and fear. But I believe the meaning of that commandment runs far deeper than just profanity.
The Bible says:
"Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain…" — Exodus 20:7 (KJV)
That word "vain" means empty, false, worthless, hypocritical.
In other words, one of the worst ways a person can take God's name in vain is to claim they belong to Him while living like the devil himself.
That's strong preaching, but it's the truth.
You see, when a man or woman calls themselves a Christian, they are taking the name of Christ upon themselves. They are telling the world:
"I belong to Jesus."
"I follow Jesus."
"I represent Jesus."
But what happens when somebody wears the name of Christ and then lies, cheats, hates, mocks, curses, mistreats people, lives in immorality, refuses forgiveness, and walks in pride?
Friend, that is taking the Lord's name in vain.
This old world expects sinners to act like sinners. What confuses people is when those who claim to follow Jesus act no differently than the world. Sometimes they act worse.
I've lived long enough to see folks shout in Church on Sunday and then tear somebody apart with their tongue before they even get to the parking lot. I've seen people sing "Oh How I Love Jesus" and then refuse to speak to family members for twenty years. I've seen people post Bible verses online and then fill the next breath with bitterness, cruelty, and hatred.
Brethren, these things ought not so to be.
Jesus said:
"Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" — Luke 6:46 (KJV)
That verse ought to shake every Church in America.
We got plenty of people wearing crosses around their necks, but very few carrying one on their backs.
Nowadays, Christianity has become fashionable in some circles. Politicians wave Bibles for cameras. Celebrities thank God while living wickedly. Churches fill stadiums while holiness and repentance disappear from the pulpit.
But Jesus never called us merely to admire Him.
He called us to follow Him.
And following Jesus means something.
It means forgiving your enemies when your flesh wants revenge.
It means telling the truth when lies would benefit you.
It means walking humbly in a world drunk on pride.
It means loving mercy in a hateful generation.
It means standing for righteousness even when the crowd mocks you.
And Church, let me say something else plainly.
Be careful when political leaders claim to support Christianity while openly dishonoring the teachings of Christ by their actions. A man may hold a Bible in his hand and still have no fear of God in his heart. A leader may speak the name of Jesus and still walk in pride, cruelty, dishonesty, vengeance, and arrogance.
The danger is not only in the leader.
The danger is what happens to the followers.
Association influences people.
When Christians continually defend behavior they would condemn in others simply because it comes from "their side," something dangerous begins happening to the conscience. Little by little, wrong no longer seems wrong. Pride becomes strength. Cruelty becomes boldness. Mockery becomes entertainment. Hatred becomes justified. And believers slowly begin reflecting the spirit of the world instead of the Spirit of Christ.
The Bible warns us:
"Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners." — 1 Corinthians 15:33 (KJV)
Who we follow matters.
Who we defend matters.
Who influences our thinking matters.
No political party ever died for your sins.
No president ever shed his blood for your salvation.
No earthly kingdom is the Kingdom of God.
Christians must never become so loyal to earthly leaders that they excuse behavior that dishonors Christ Himself.
The Apostle John wrote something plain enough for anybody to understand:
"He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar…" — 1 John 2:4 (KJV)
Now that doesn't mean Christians never stumble. Every child of God fights battles. Every believer falls short and needs grace. This old preacher still has to kneel and ask forgiveness. But there's a difference between struggling against sin and making peace with it.
There's a difference between weakness and rebellion.
A true Christian may stumble, but they will grieve over sin. They will repent. They will desire to walk closer to God. But a person who proudly lives contrary to Christ while still claiming His name is bringing reproach upon the Gospel.
And friends, that may be one of the greatest sins in America today.
The world ain't rejecting Christianity because they've carefully studied Jesus. Many are rejecting Christianity because they've watched Christians who don't act anything like Him.
They hear sermons about love while seeing hatred.
They hear sermons about truth while watching dishonesty.
They hear sermons about holiness while seeing compromise.
They hear sermons about humility while seeing arrogance and pride.
No wonder people are confused.
The Church does not need more celebrity preachers.
The Church does not need more political power.
The Church needs repentance.
We need old-fashioned conviction again.
We need tears at the altar again.
We need believers who fear God more than public opinion.
We need Christians who live holy Monday through Saturday instead of merely looking religious for two hours on Sunday morning.
Jesus said:
"If ye love me, keep my commandments." — John 14:15 (KJV)
That is still true.
Folks, the name of Jesus is holy.
We ought to carry it carefully.
When people look at our lives, they ought to see something different. Not perfection — but sincerity. Not hypocrisy — but humility. Not hatred — but the Spirit of Christ shining through broken vessels saved by grace.
This old country preacher believes that one of the greatest revivals that could ever happen in America would begin if Christians started living as if they truly belonged to Jesus.
May God help us not to take His holy name in vain by the way we live.
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