As part of the Ten Commandments, we read in Exodus 20:7, “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.”  This is the first time the expression “the name of the LORD thy God” is used in the Bible.  LORD is, of course, the same as Jehovah.  How important is the Lord’s name?  It expresses who He is.  Jehovah means “self-existent one.”  God means “the supreme one.”  The Lord commands that His people should not take His name in vain.  Vain, in this instance, means “desolating, ruinous, deceptive, false.”

There are several ways a person can take the Lord’s name in vain.  To swear in the name of the Lord that a false statement is true is one way.  It could also include using profanity, cursing, making an oath and failing to complete it.  Let’s consider what the Bible says about using curse words.

Ephesians 5:3-4 tells us, “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.”  Here are things that should be avoided by the Lord’s saints.  NOT ONCE should we participate in this kind of behavior. 

  • FILTHINESS speaks of using any kind of profanity.
  • FOOLISH TALKING speaks of using wicked, corrupt, vain, idle, and unprofitable language.
  • JESTING speaks of using wisecracks in a vulgar sense. 

Let’s look at a few more verses that speak of using improper language.

  • Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
  • James 1:26, “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.”
  • Colossians 3:8, “But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.”
  • 2 Timothy 2:16, “But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.”

In many places, the Lord warns us about the language we use.  To use profanity dishonors the Lord and ruins the testimony of the believer.  It is quite possible that a believer can get into the habit of using profanity.  That doesn’t necessarily mean they are not saved.  They are most likely far from the Lord in their everyday lives.  Only the Lord sees and knows the heart of each person.  We can watch a person’s behavior and then get an impression if they are saved or not.  We read in Matthew 7:20, “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”  May we all do and speak the things that honor the Lord.  (CC)  (575.6)