June 24

It seems that every day I find out things that make me question what I’ve learned, and I’m speaking of biblical things. Just yesterday, I was made aware that the commandment about taking the Lord’s name in vain has nothing to do with using God’s name as a cuss word. I didn’t take this teaching lightly and did my own research, and this teacher was right! It’s about using God’s name for evil purposes, like personal financial gain. An example would be the false teachers who use God to grow their personal empire. This is an instance of how we don’t know what we’ve been mistaught until it’s pointed out. If the Holy Spirit makes you aware of a particular teaching, do a little research on the keywords in that verse, so you have a clearer understanding. Verse by verse, we will clarify the truth.

“‘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. Deuteronomy 5:11

You be the judge; this is what the concordance says about the word “vain”: 

H7723

שַׁו    שָׁוְא^o

shâv'    shav

shawv, shav

From the same as H7722 in the sense of desolating; evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjectively), uselessness (as deceptive, objectively; also adverbially in vain): - false (-ly), lie, lying, vain, vanity.

H7722

שֹׁאָה    שׁוֹאָה    שׁוֹא

shô'    shô'âh    shô'âh

sho, sho-aw', sho-aw'

From an unused root meaning to rush over; a tempest; by implication devastation: - desolate (-ion), destroy, destruction, storm, wasteness.