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

Although many people believe taking the Lord’s name in vain refers to using the Lord’s name as a swear word, there is much more involved with a vain use of God’s name. As a culture, we have lost our natural sense of reverence in general, and a sense of reverence for God’s name in particular. We have lost the sense of the power of God’s name, the fact that God’s name is sacred.

I recall a video by Fr. Mike Schmitz that I share with our youth in PSR that addresses the scaredness of God’s name. Fr. Mike says to imagine that you are God and you are going to reveal to people the things they need to do and the things they need to avoid in order to live well. Only, you limit yourself to ten things. Clearly, they would be important (The 10 Commandments). Don’t kill. Don’t steal. Don’t commit adultery. “You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain!” Keeping God’s name sacred ranks right up there.

Let us not forget that Jesus reinforces this point when he teaches the disciples how to pray, “Hallowed be thy name”. It is right up there again! Our Catechism explains ways in which we might take the Lord’s name in vain. This includes both false oaths and oaths made lightly, perjury, magical use of the divine name, and blasphemy -- a word we hear and read in scripture but fail to correlate to daily living.

Basically, blasphemy is “uttering against God – inwardly or outwardly – words of hatred, reproach, or defiance; speaking ill of God; failing to show respect toward God in one’s speech; misusing God’s name. The prohibition of blasphemy extends to language against Christ’s Church, the saints, and sacred things. (CCC 1246)

When we are talking about the “Lord’s Name”, we are dealing directly with the names God has revealed as His own “personal” names. This refers most clearly to the sacred YHWH and the holy name of Jesus Christ. But blasphemy also includes “speaking ill of God” and “language against…sacred things”. Common phrases we hear all the time, like “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph” or “Oh my G-d” are disrespectful and considered blasphemy as well. The Catechism (CCC 2148) continues that “Blasphemy is contrary to the respect due God and His holy name. It is in itself a grave sin.” Remember how serious grave sin is? We must know the action is a grave sin and freely choose to do it. This is at the level where it can kill the life of grace in our soul. Kind of a big deal!

The name of the Lord is holy, as He is holy. The name of the Lord is a representation of His glory, His majesty, and His supreme deity. We are to esteem and honor His name as we revere and glorify God Himself. To do any less is to take His name in vain.