“But let your speech be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay; and whatsoever is more than these is of the evil one” (Matthew 5:37, ASV).

When my sons were small, I taught them that certain words should not be said. They all were forms of God’s precious name, so holy and glorious that the Israelites did not say it. Even today, devout Jews call God Hashem, meaning The Name.

The one that I did not teach my sons not to say is a by-word that many people say. It wasn’t around when they were growing up, but today, you cannot turn on your television without hearing it. It is a clue in crossword puzzles. It is spread across the face of magazines. Perhaps you know the one I’m talking about—those three words that are said and texted as three letters run together.

I hear Christians say it all the time, and I cringe. Don’t they know that God told the Israelites, “Thou shalt not take the name of Jehovah thy God in vain; for Jehovah will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain” (Exodus 20:7).  God’s name is not less holy because we are under a new covenant.

Do people take God’s name in vain, meaning in an empty and meaningless way, because they feel they will not be taken seriously unless they use God’s name? If so, what does that say about their character and speech? As Christians, we should be so committed to truthfulness that people respect us and the holiness of God.

May we use our mouths to worship God and sing His praises and not to use His holy name in vain. Getting into the habit of carelessness in our speech will cost us our soul. May we be an example in our words and in our actions.

Hymn: “Yield Not To Temptation”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Your name is holy, and you are to be worshipped and praised. May I never get into the habit of using Your name in vain. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

Donna Wittlif is the author of Christian fiction for young adults and adults. Her new book Finding Her Heart is about a young woman who is heartbreakingly lonely. Is it because she has been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome? See how God helps her find true love. www.donnarwittlif.com