Bearing the Name // Rev. Matt Kennedy // Jul 26 2026

Do you ever get a word or phrase stuck in your head and it drives you a little batty? Or maybe there's a word or a name that "triggers" you because you associate it so closely to a bad memory. The Bible frequently warns us that words can be dangerous and that names are important. This is why the story of Exodus includes a story about God's name (Exodus 3:13-15) and a warning that this name carries serious weight (Exodus 20:7).This week we turn to the third commandment, traditionally translated, "Do not take the LORD's name in vain", but maybe more accurately, "Do not bear the LORD's name for evil." The third commandment is more than just a prohibition on swearing, but a reminder that God's people  have a responsibility to represent the Almighty well! There are times in the Biblical story God's people use his name like "magic words", a spell, or a talisman that gives cover to their evil conduct (Jeremiah 7:1-15). The commandments tell us that using words about God for selfish or vain reasons confuses and disparages a precious and awesome gift: God shares his name and reputation with people because he longs for a covenantal-partnership, an unbreakable relational bond.