Using God’s Name

Using God’s Name

You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.

Deuteronomy 5:11

You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.

John 14:13

On judgment day many will say to me, “Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.” But I will reply, “I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.”

Matthew 7:22-23

“Oh God!” “Jeez!” “Gosh darn!” These are some of the “acceptable” phrases our culture has come up with to add emphasis or express frustration using a vague form of God’s name. Though we may not mean it this way or think of it this way, these expressions take the holy name of God and make it common—even disrespected. And when we think about it that way, if we love God, we realize we don’t want to do that to his name.

There are other ways we misuse God’s name. When we pray using Jesus’ name and we’re really just trying to manipulate God’s power to meet our own selfish desires, we’re misusing God’s name. When we flash our spiritual credentials in situations where using God’s name will advance our agenda or put us in a positive light with someone we want to impress, we’re stealing God’s glory and misusing his name. Some people use God’s name by saying, “God told me . . .” just to make themselves seem more spiritual or to try to manipulate someone else. We always need to be examining ourselves, asking, Am I bringing glory to God’s name, or am I using God’s name for my own glory?

DISCUSSION STARTERS

What words do people use that are really a form of God’s name?

How can we know if someone who claims to have heard from God is authentic?

What are some appropriate ways we can use God’s name?