“But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.” – Hebrews 2:9

  My husband and I were having a discussion on swear words a while ago.  How did our Savior’s name come to be one of those words that slip out of people’s mouths when they are frustrated or angry?  I really don’t get it.  But lots of people, unbelievers and believers alike, use a number of God’s names to express their negative feelings.
  Someone hits their thumb with a hammer and they mutter, “Jesus Christ.”
  Some event catches them by surprise and “Oh my God” just pops out.
  How did this happen?  Why does this happen?  People aren’t even thinking about Jesus or God when they’re uttering their names.   
  We have a friend whose fraternity, when he was in college, decided to use his name as their swear word for a time.  It was a joke and all the men took it as such, but after a few weeks Mark really got tired of hearing, “Anderson!” when his “brothers” were mad about something that had nothing whatsoever to do with him.
  I also recently taught the 2^nd commandment in Sunday School and had to work through “taking the Lord’s name in vain.”  “In vain” isn’t a phrase we use on a regular basis in our modern language.  I don’t think that phrase, “in vain,” really resonates with our modern English.
  I know “vain” means to use in a disrespectful or irreverent manner, but I was intrigued to see the dictionary’s #2 definition of vain is “lacking substance or worth.”  Isn’t that what we’re doing when we call out God’s name at those moments?  His name at that point is lacking worth.  It is empty and hollow.  It means nothing.  We have taken the name of the creator of the universe and made it weak and worthless.
  My Savior is loving and kind.  He gave his life for me.  He created my beautiful children and has blessed me in so many ways.  His character is worthy of so much more honor and respect and awe then to empty his name of all it’s meaning and glory.  In Hebrew, the word “honor” literally means “weight.”  When we honor God, we give weight and meaning to him and to his name.   The exact opposite of using it “in vain.” 
  I mean really, if we’re going to take a name, empty it of meaning, and use it to express extreme dislike, shouldn’t we use the name of someone who deserves it?  So to speak?  So I have a new swear word (not that I swear that often).  I played with a few, but my favorite is Mao Zedong!  It’s great.  You could say a quick, “Mao!”  Or if I’m really angry, I can let all 3 syllables role off my tongue. 
  Of course the next time I’m having a terrible day and am frustrated and upset, maybe the answer isn’t a quick “Mao” but an emotional “Jesus Christ,” said not in vain but in prayer, with all the weight and honor it deserves.

Ask the Lord

Heavenly Father,
I honor, worship, and adore you!  Thank you for all you have done for me and help me to remember the full glory and weight that your name deserves.  Let me be a witness to your grace and power in my life and speech so that others may view you through my eyes with reverence and awe.
Amen
 

By Valerie Johnson

Portland, OR