Freedom is Good News Part 162

“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.”  I believe we have established the reality that taking God’s name in vain is not so much about the words that come out of our mouths but the actions that come from our hearts.

When talking to the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus had this very concept on His mind; in Matthew 15:7-9 He said, “You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”  This is an important scripture that Jesus quoted from the book of Isaiah 29:13.  It very nicely ties together these three words that we have been considering (lips, hearts and vanity), with our honoring of God.

If what is in our hearts is not in line with what comes out of our mouths then we are worshiping God in vain!!  If I have taken the name of God upon myself and proclaim that I am a Christian; yet I do not do those things that honor God, I am worse than a fool; I am an empty worshiper and God will not hold me guiltless.

The prophet Malachi puts it this way, “If you will not listen, and if you will not set your heart to honor my name, I will send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings.”  I don’t know about you, but I do not want God to curse my blessings.  I need to get down on my knees and ask God to examine the motives of my heart and give me correction if I need it.

Please note, I mention that God examines our hearts.  We as humans are quite incapable of examining ourselves.  Jeremiah tells us this, “Cursed is the man who trusts in humanity, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD …. But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD whose confidence is in Him.  He will be like a tree planted by the water …. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green …. And never fails to bear fruit.”   He goes on to say, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.  Who can understand it?  I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind to reward a man according to his conduct.” (Jer. 17:6-10)   

Yes, our hearts can lead us astray.  We must align ourselves tightly with our God and with His Son.  We take upon us the name of God, we honor Him with our words and with our thoughts and with our deeds, and so we grow to trust in Him with all of our hearts.  Then we will never fail to bear fruit that will glorify our Father.  “If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you.  For this is to my Father’s glory that you bear much fruit and so show yourselves to be my disciples.” (John 15:7-8)  Note that this is contingent upon His words abiding in us.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” (Prov. 3:5-6)  I know I have brought this scripture up before, but a reminder is good, for we all desire straight paths.  Good news indeed!!