As a child I remember being told “Don’t take the Lord’s name in vain.” Not something you hear much anymore. Today, God or Jesus have become our culture’s exclamation point, or preface to using curse words in disgust. Why do we do that? Do we somehow feel like breaking the 3rd commandment will make a situation better? Is it an act of rebellion against God? What’s even more strange, many ppl throw God’s name around who don’t even believe in him?!?! Weird. Why not yell “unicorns” or “Sasquatch”???

Well, when I was told as a kid not to take the Lord’s name in vain, my understanding of that was not to say God (or Jesus) unless I was praying, or talking about him in a good way. That’s a good place to start, but it’s a limited understanding. There’s a reverence that goes with the use of God’s name. Below is a great (and short) article on the subject:

http://www.ligonier.org/blog/what-does-it-mean-take-lords-name-vain/

And another, Why It’s Wrong to Take God’s Name In Vain:

https://www.crossway.org/blog/2016/01/why-its-wrong-to-take-gods-name-in-vain/