While eating lunch on one of our recent cruises I overheard a buffet worker talking with a guest as she was gathering up the dirty dishes from a nearby table. Her English was pretty good (most of the workers are foreigners) but what caught my attention was that she was spewing out the Lord’s name carelessly (and excessively) as she was talking about something they had in common. I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say that she must have said His name around 10 or 15 times in the course of 1 or 2 minutes. She was smiling and being very friendly but obviously had no idea she was taking the Lord’s name in vain, and for no good purpose; it was insanely repetitive and disrespectful. Not just to me or any nearby Christians, but to God.

I thought to myself that if she comes near our table that maybe I could strike up a conversation with her and then mention it politely to her that she was taking the Lord’s name in vain, and then ask her if she knew this was against one of the 10 Commandments. So as I was eating, I grabbed my iPhone and looked up the chapter and verse I wanted to share with her, and to use it as a reference: 

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. Exodus 20:7

After I finished copying the verse onto my notepad, I looked up but I didn’t see her anywhere. So then, I contemplated that when I saw her again that maybe I would just get up and go over to her to say something to her. 

I never saw her again. 

I left a little duck and a Living Waters 10 Commandments Coin on the table, hoping that she would be the one to clean our table, but I’ll never know for sure. In retrospect I wish I would have just gotten up and walked over to talk to her while she was still there, but I didn’t. I could have handed her the 10 Commandments Coin in person and pointed out the third Commandment to her, but I didn’t. Why didn’t I think of that in the first place? Probably because it’s much easier to leave some type of an evangelical message for random people to pick up than it is to actually walk up and speak to people in person. Ya think?

So, throughout the rest of that cruise and also the next one, I became a little extra sensitive in overhearing random people in different settings taking the name of the Lord in vain. Random people, casually throwing the name of our Lord around in common catch phrases, like “Oh my …” and “Oh …,” etc., although it wasn’t in repetitive excess like that buffet worker. 

And to be clear, this wasn’t the first time I’ve been sensitive about people taking the Lord’s name in vain. I’ve been sensitive to this ever since becoming a follower of Christ and learning that it’s a serious offense that God doesn’t take lightly.

I used to say His name in vain without a blink of an eye,

But, 

He changed me from inside out when He saved me by His amazing grace many years ago. I know, as a Christian, that God’s name should only be used with reverence and love. Throughout the Bible the names of the Lord God are clearly presented as Holy, precious, and powerful. Those who misuse His name in trite conversation and in blasphemous anger greatly misunderstand His greatness and glory. 

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness. Psalm 29:2

In Exodus 3:14 He chose to reveal His name to Moses as “I Am Who I Am” declaring His sovereignty, His self-sufficiency, and the fact that He is self-existent. 

In Exodus 34:6 He chose to reveal His glory to Moses by revealing His name to him: “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious.”

So, did I ever get around to saying anything to those people taking His name in vain on these cruises? No I did not, but, I am praying for God to give me more opportunities in the future and in His perfect timing. I pray for boldness, sensitivity, clarity, discernment, and strength to speak up when given the opportunity, and also for more creative ways to share the gospel and His word. 

And, in the meantime I’m doing what I often do when something weighs on my mind: I’m writing about it. Writing ✍🏻 is so much easier….

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. Proverbs 18:10