God is very clear about His name.  Not only are we to honor it, but we should never use it in a negative way. In describing Himself through the words of the Bible, He has used words like Alpha and Omega – the beginning and the end.  He is referred to as Creator, Holy – without sin, our Refuge, Jehovah, El Shaddai, Father and many names which speak not only of His character, but also hold a place of reverence.

Today, the word “god” is flung around like just another word, with no regard to the way we are verbally attacking God each time it’s used in a negative or impersonal way.  The second commandment is very clear about God’s name

“YOU SHOULD NOT MISUSE THE NAME OF THE LORD, YOUR GOD.”

Our first thoughts on that command are that we should place God’s name in a category of its own.  It should be above all others – revered and honored – sacred – divine – holy – a name like no other.  However there is so much more to this law than we see in the obvious

Every time God’s name is used flippantly we’re slapping our Creator in the face.  When we use it to swear an oath, but don’t really mean it – when we use it in connection with superstition – when we curse – when we lie – any time we use God’s name without the honor it is due, we’re disobeying this important commandment. Simple things like breaking it down into text form – OMG or simply saying “oh, God,” may not seem like a big deal, but it is.

He is supreme.  He deserves our complete honor and respect.  He already demanded that in the first commandment.  It wasn’t a suggestion, but a law, which has seemingly had its day and been replaced by self-love, love of material things and love of anything but the One who knit us together before our birth – who had a plan all mapped out for our lives before we came into the world.

When we use God’s name in vain, swear by it, curse and do things that show disrespect, we’re dishonoring God.  By the same token if we refuse to honor Him, we are denying Him as much as Peter did when he denied Jesus in the courtyard at His trial.  Every time we disobey God’s commandments, we are pounding the nails into His cross.

Our society today has no problem using the name of God in every which way but the right way.  We need to be more conscious of whose name we’re throwing around.  Like many other signs of devolution, we’re seeing blatant disrespect for God on a daily basis.  It can be blamed on a number of things like peers, family, media, etc., but it can be resolved by placing it in our children’s hearts from the beginning.  Let them know who God is.  Teach them that He is our Creator, our Father, our help in time of trouble.  He’s not just another word we throw around to make a point.

Besides, it’s the law – which has also devolved over time and turned into mere suggestions.