Gò0dNews for Men
Language or Lifestyle
T
by Brian Johnson
he language that’s allowed to be used on television
remain calm during tribulation, others see how God comes
has changed over the years. I’m amazed at some
through as we trust Him. That shows God for who He really
of the things I hear from time to time on regular
is, and we’re representing Him well.
channels, much less the stations that show movies. I’d like
Remember, we want to bring as many people as
to discuss one phrase in particular that makes the typical
possible to a relationship with God. Draw them in with
Christian’s skin crawl—that term we refer to as using the
the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
Lord’s name in vain.
gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.
Exodus 20:7 says, “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him
When we’re operating in the flesh, what differentiates us from the world?
guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” This is the verse that’s commonly used to talk about how wrong it is to say that skin-crawling phrase, but I submit to you that this verse has less to do with what we say and more to do with how we live. Every word of scripture is important. It says, “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD in vain; …” not thou shalt not say the name of the LORD in vain. When I married my wife, she took my name. She became Jennifer Johnson. Now, the way she lives affects and is a reflection on me. If she treats people poorly and acts horribly around others, it will hurt my relationship with them because she carries my name. People associate her with me. When you got saved, you became the bride of Christ. You took His name and became a Christian. If you
Don’t get me wrong—I’m not saying that it’s okay to
live your life in a way that brings dishonor to Him, you’ve
speak any way you’d like. That phrase isn’t one that should
taken His name in vain.
roll off of the tongue, but Exodus 20:7 is more about the
II Corinthians 5:20 says that “we are ambassadors for
way we live. Live like you’re carrying the LORD with you
Christ.” We’re His representatives. When we treat people
because you are. You will represent Him regardless of the
poorly, perform lazily at our jobs, or lose our minds every
way you act. Either you’ll be a good representation or a bad
time something negative happens in our lives, how does
one. Be a good one. Don’t take His name in vain.
that show a loving, good, and caring God? One that others Conversely speaking, if we treat others well, even when they’re not good to us, we work hard at our jobs, or we
12 // March 2022
About The Author
would want a relationship with. Brian Edward Johnson is a deacon at his church and a nurse by vocation. He wants to do the best he can to teach people to trust God, for their eternity and for each day.
