Reflection:  How should we demonstrate personal holiness? For a start, and at the very least, we must treat God’s name as holy. This is, of course, the third commandment (cf. Ex. 20:7). And Jesus laid stress on the point at the opening of the Lord’s Prayer (Mt. 6:9 [KJV] – “hallowed be thy name”).

In Australia today, the taking of the Lord’s name in vain is a sadly ubiquitous feature of everyday life. Millions do it daily and repeatedly (OMG!), and Christians are not exempt. Expletives are one thing, but the essence of this sin is co-opting God’s name to serve a “vain” or “worthless” cause. We prostitute his name whenever we use it to endorse something which does not align with his character.

It is salutary to recall that for centuries, across the West, blasphemy was a criminal offence punishable by the State. Those days are long gone, and rightly so – but that is the more reason for Christians to set a pure example, by worshipping his holy name (see, e.g., Ps 30:4, 97:12).

Question:  Have you ever taken God’s name in vain? Do you still do so from time to time?

Prayer:  Father, please forgive me for the times when I have misused your precious and holy name. Amen