How is it that you arrived at the name of your child/ren? Did you use a book with alphabetical lists? How about Biblical ones (Methuselah, Noah)? Or those passed down through the family?
William Shakespeare’s asked in Romeo and Juliet:
“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.”

We’ve all received a text message with the letter OMG (Christian version: oh my goodness). Or laughed at a meme with the abbreviation OMG somewhere on the page that left us thinking if we should be laughing. But is what is being referred to in the third commandment (Exodus 20:7) “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain” meaning anything more than the use a casual tag?

This command follows instruction to love God wholeheartedly and not to worship idols. So it’s weighty in its context. God lists this command among other serious transgressions including idolatry, Sabbath breaking, disrespecting parents, killing, adultery, stealing, lying, coveting neighbor’s spouse and/or possessions.

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain” is about reverencing, honoring and protecting the name of the Lord.

How do we do that? How do we not do that?…