Acts 2:20-21
“The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
“Are you praying?” That was the question I asked a man who had repeatedly used the phrase, “My God!”
He looked shocked and replied, “What do you mean?” I said “Well, you keep saying ‘My God’ and I wanted to know if you are calling on His name in prayer or taking His name in vain?”
As we continued the conversation he said that he was not even aware that he had used that statement. We had an extended conversation about how easy it is to establish a habit and not even being aware of it.
Calling upon the name of the Lord is a sacred thing. As we read today’s Scripture we see that it is by calling upon the name of the Lord that we are saved. To use the expression as an expletive constitutes profanity.
The third commandment, as found in Exodus 20, is to not take the name of the Lord in vain or misuse it in any manner. It goes on to say that the Lord will hold the offender guilty who profanes God’s name.
Using the expression “My God!” is wrong, and we need to stop the practice of doing so. In fact, we need to humbly bow before the Lord, confess it as a sin and ask for the Lord’s forgiveness.
Before we feel too spiritual, I want to drop another bomb. There are many Christians who would never use the expression, “My God!” but easily use a similar expression, “My Lord!”
Do you see the difference between the two? I don’t and I am sure that the Lord does not either. Using the Lord’s name in any manner that is not consistent with speaking to Him or calling out to Him is wrong. Stop it!
I pray that the Lord will convict us any time we misuse His name.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
— Pastor Cecil