The Lord's Name (i)

One Yale professor has said this, ‘in truth, there is probably no country in the Western world where people use God’s name quite as much, or quite as publically or for quite as many purposes as Americans do. The 3rd commandment not withstanding, few candidates for office are able to end their speeches without asking God to bless their audience or the nation or the great work their undertaking. Athletes thank God in television after the winning TD, politicians like to thank God, because He was on their side.’

So how do you use God’s name?

At the beginning of verse 12 James says ‘above all, brothers,’ above all! This seems to mean that james wants our attention of this if nothing else. It’s like an exam review, you can skip all the classwork, as long as you pay attention to the review, you’ll have it pretty good. This is the beginning of the end of the letter, and James is eager that we don’t miss what he wants to tell us about the Christian life. he wants our attention, he wants us to get it. Above all, of all the important things that James has shared, this is at the top, about all brothers, do what? Do not swear, either by Heaven or by Earth or any other oath.’

Do not swear. James isn’t talking about profanity here, that’s covered elsewhere, he’s talking about how we use the Lord’s name. do not swear by Heaven or by Earth. Don’t take the Lord’s name in vain. In the OT, ppl made oaths all the time. The spies made an oath not to kill Rahab after she helped them, David made an oath to do good to Jonathan’s family. But we don’t really do that any more. What do we do? We casually and frequently take God’s name in vain. Have you ever said ‘I swear to God?’ you've taken God’s name in vain. Have you ever said ‘oh my God?’ you’ve taken God’s name in vain. Have you ever used the name Jesus out of context? You’ve taken the Lord’s name in vain. Do not swear by God’s name is the restriction. When I was growing up I wasn’t even allowed to say ‘oh my gosh,’ because everyone knew what I meant. You might be thinking. We’’ I don’t mean anything by it.’ That’s exactly what James is addressing. We’re too casual, too lazy with our God talk to mean something by it. You don’t mean anything by using God’s name? That’s almost the very definition of taking God’s name in vain!

How do you use God’s name?

Maybe verbally you don’t have a problem with it, but non verbally you do. How do you non verbally take God’s name in vain? You goof off in worship. You don’t pay attention to the reading and preaching of His Word. You ignore the work that the Holy Spirit wants to do in your life. you say, ‘ God told me to,’ when the truth is, you wanted to. You try to pass off your will, your plans as God’s will and God’s plans. Don’t do this, James says, don’t swear by Heaven or by Earth, don’t use His name to justify your desires.

Instead, James instructs us, ‘but let your yes by yes and your no be no.’ just tell the truth! When you say yes, do it! When you say no, don’t do it! Make life simple for yourself by keeping your word. Sometimes the Bible is had to apply, and sometimes it’s really easy…this is one of those easy times. Let your yes mean yes and your no mean no.

I can’t be the only one that thinks the more someone insists on something the less likely it is to be true. You know what I mean, if someone keeps telling you something is true, they’re determined to convince you and wear you down about it, you’re a bit less likely to believe them right? Don’t be like that, let your yes mean yes, and your no mean know. If people trust you, if you’re of good character, you won’t need to ‘swear to God,’ or make an oath. People will know you’re telling the truth because you always do. Christians, more than anybody, should be known as truth tellers. Jesus said, I am the truth,’ right? Jesus is the truth, His people must be reliable and trustworthy in every area of life.

Are you? Do people trust your word?