Dear Preacher

The Bible warns against taking the Lord's name in vain. "You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name" Exodus 20:7 (NIV).

The Israelites were allowed to use God's name in swearing solemn oaths, 'Fear the Lord your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name' Deuteronomy 6:13. But they were not to use God's name to swear oaths that were intended to bring harm to an innocent person.

To call on one's name is to command the power of the one named. Therefore, the name should not be treated lightly. So taking the Lord's name in vain is to call the name of God for no purpose or for trivial reason. It is to mention the name of God as a byword or as meaningless ritual or repetition.

There is more to it that just the frivolous use of God's name. There is also the hypocritical and deceptive use of God's name. This includes making a commitment and not abiding by it. It includes pledging to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth while having the intention to give false testimony.

Taking the Lord's name in vain would also include using the Lord's name in witchcraft practices and using the Lord's name for personal gain and prestige.

Did you know ...?

That the Roman Catholic Church gave Father John Peter Sullivan a mandate to establish an organisation that would lend money at a lower interest rate, which gave birth to the credit union movement in Jamaica?

By 1944, the Roman Catholics had 178 Credit Unions Study Groups and Saving Unions in Jamaica, and their activities were extended to 20 other Caribbean territories.