Scripture to Read: Exodus 20:7
What a great week we’ve had examining God’s Truth about idolatry. We end today as we prepare to join other believers in worship, studying Exodus 20:7, where God said, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.” God’s name is incredibly powerful. People might ask, “Well, how powerful is God’s Name? It’s so powerful that God’s Word tells us in Philippians 2:9–11, “For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” One day, everyone will proclaim Christ as Lord. According to Pastor David Guzik on the Enduring Word website, “there are at least three ways this command is commonly disobeyed. First is profanity: using the name of God in blasphemy and cursing. Second is frivolity: using the name of God in a superficial, stupid way. Third is hypocrisy: claiming the name of God but acting in a way that disgraces Him.” Jesus also told the disciples how Holy God’s name is in the “model prayer” in Matthew 6. Jesus said in Matthew 6:9, “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.” We must always use our Lord’s Name in a way that honors Him.
Challenge & Application
· What did our Lord teach you about His name?
· How will you proclaim His name this week and help others to know that He alone is Lord?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!