The phrase ‘In the name of Jesus’, is used by probably ninety percent of Christians out there for all kinds of different reasons. Most often toward the end of a prayer. Others out there use his name as a curse word. I thought it would be a good idea to discuss some of these reasons people use the name of Jesus, where this practice comes from, and check out what the Lord has to say about it.
As so often happens when I intend to write about something, the Lord has better plans and causes for me to have to break it up into several different posts. This time around has been no exception, and I am going to have to break this into a couple of posts, dealing with different matters under the topic of using the name of Jesus. The Lord is definitely going to be dealing with some of us with this post, so keep on reading.
To get it out of the way quickly, let’s begin with how we should not be using the name of the Lord. Although it is the way not to use his name, it’s by far the most popular among believers and non-believers alike. And that would be to use the name of the Lord in vain.
Using the name of the Lord in Vain
What’s in a name anyways? Well, Biblically speaking, the answer would be that there is quite a bit when it comes to the name of the Lord. But are people today that say things and do things in the name of Jesus, using his name properly, or having the right mind about them when doing so? As far as the Body of Christ goes, I suppose the answer to that question (at least for the majority) would land between those who are using his name and the Lord himself. But there is an obvious disrespect and dishonor done by people all the time, every day, and seems to be going on all around the world concerning the name of Jesus that I would like to start off with in this post.
The aforementioned people out there that toss the Jesus’ name around all the time, do so without a care in the world about who they are going to have to answer to when they meet their end. These being those who most likely are not saved and washed by the Blood of the Lamb, and have no idea about who they are talking about, never mind any idea about what it is they are actually doing by using his name in vain. Is it by coincidence that Jesus Christ is used by much of the population as a swear or curse word? Should it be any surprise to us, that his name is used to punctuate emotions; being spoken in frustration, fear, trouble, anger, surprise, etc.?
Ephesians 2:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
The answer to all of that clearly would be no, it’s not something that should surprise us at all. As believers in Christ, and followers of his Word, we know who is in charge of this world and it’s structure. The earth is the Lord’s, but this world, for now, is under Satan’s charge. There’s not much of what the Lord wants us to keep from doing that isn’t popular in this day and age to go ahead and do. In Kingdom of Darkness in a Fallen World, the book speaks on the strategies and tactics used by the enemies of God to either lead people away from, or keep people away from, having full knowledge of the Lord, and choosing eternal life or eternal death unhindered.
2 Corinthians 4:
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
Using the Lord’s name in vain is no different. This is a tactic that’s gone on for quite awhile, and the purpose behind it is to associate the name of Jesus with things that are bad, or to keep Jesus in mind in a negative light during times of trouble. In the paragraph above I listed several different negative emotions that one would feel as they would use the Lord’s name as a curse word. Having one’s mind established in such a way to use the Lord’s name as a curse word during times where one would be scared, startled, shocked, angry, etc., eventually causes the Lord to (in that person’s mind or outlook), shrink and lock arms with, these reasons they are using his name to begin with.
It feels Good to Blaspheme
It sure does, doesn’t it? Blaspheming can really make you feel good, or perhaps more comfortable with a situation. So what’s wrong with feeling good? Clearly as far as feeling good, nothing is wrong with that. The problem rests with WHAT is making you feel good. In this case, there’s nothing wrong with feeling good, it’s blaspheming that’s the problem!
It’s just stupid to do, and it sounds stupid, yet so many do it anyways. That said, I can prove that it is a sinful thing to do just by our carnal response. Have you ever noticed, trying to use someone else’s name as a curse word doesn’t have the same feel to it? That doesn’t even come to mind, say when you wack your thumb with a hammer, or something to that effect. But cursing out the name of Jesus has a satiating effect, as your flesh is more satisfied with doing what is sinful, than doing what isn’t.
The Apostle Paul gives us a complex and yet thorough understanding to this in Romans. Quite some time ago, I posted a Bible study that may help us out with this understanding as to why we commonly feel better from a physical standpoint, when we do something that the Lord would rather us not have anything to do with. It’s called Self vs Spirit, and I’d like to encourage you to go and check that out, as it deals with this part of our fleshly nature to want to do what’s wrong.
Removing Reverence from the Name of Jesus
By throwing around the name of the Lord as a swear or curse word, all reverent fear of the Lord is eroded away from our thoughts and our hearts, placing the name of the Lord along side with common, fleshly things. Us who are called by his name, and abide in Christ should know better, and probably do. But if you are called by his name, being a Christian, saved and washed by the Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, any you find yourself using his name in a manner that is unintended by the Lord, you may want to try to get that practice out of your system.
2 Corinthians 11:
3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
Here are a couple of verses that might help to break this habit of using the name of the Lord in vain. And I do understand that it is a habit, and it is a learned thing to do that must be unlearned. We learn things that gratify the flesh from the world. But when it comes to breaking out of these things, it takes the power that the Lord has placed in his Word, for the renewal of the mind, having been set on things that are above, to wash these learned traits or habits out of our systems.
Exodus 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.
Matthew 12:
36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
Matthew 15:
18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
Romans 14:
11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Biblical Remedy
As with everything, there is a remedy to this that the Lord gives us (which I brushed upon above), and it is by way of being in Christ Jesus himself, having him in you, and feeding yourself in the Word of God. Take these scriptures as an emergency shot to the arm, and take them seriously, find them in your Bibles and remember them. Apply these to your lives and your daily situations.
Romans 8:
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Matthew 22:
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Romans 12:
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Ephesians 4:
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Conclusion
Becoming renewed in the spirit of your mind comes by way of reading, remembering, understanding, and applying the Word of God to your lives. If using the name of the Lord in vain is a problem for you, this is the way to be rid of the problem. And these words that you’ve read will be brought to your remembrance every time you screw up and allow your face to utter the things that the Lord would rather you not do.
Matthew 12:
35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
Ephesians 6:
6 Not with eye service, as men pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
Doing what is suggested above won’t prevent you from stumbling right off the bat. You screw up, then are reminded about how the Lord feels about it, what you’ve absorbed from his Word, etc., then ask for forgiveness and help to not do it again. Rinse, repeat. Rinse, repeat. Until there’s no more need of it. Aside from forgiving you, the Lord will honor your effort to renew your mind concerning this, as he weighs our hearts more than our works.
Matthew 5:
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
This concludes this post about using the name of the Lord in vain. I feel that without a doubt that it has tinkered with some minds via the Holy Ghost somehow, perhaps convicting to the heart, as I really felt lead in this direction by the Lord. Understanding how large of an issue this is these days, is a type of spiritual barometer, filling us in on the spiritual condition of the world out there.
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Thank you for reading this post, and another will follow soon that will discuss a different way that people use the name of the Lord, not necessarily in an incorrect fashion such as this was. Please share, re-post, etc., by using the social outlets of your choice found at the bottom of the screen, or to the right hand side of the screen (the plus sign). Keeping in synchronization with the title, I’d like to say God bless you all in the name of Jesus!