This One Will be Tough

Week Three of the 10 Commandments:

"You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name."

Full disclosure right up front - this one will be really tough for me.  At least I think so.

What is considered 'wrongful use'?  I know society thinks of this commandment at "Don't take the Lord's name in vain."  So, I looked up vain.  There were no insights there.  All of the definitions I already knew - vainly.  It essentially boils down to saying something to show disrespect.

But is making 'wrongful use' and 'name in vain' the same thing?  I am not sure.  Can we make wrongful use of speaking of God but not do so as a sign of disrespect?  Maybe.  I will need to think about it.

But, I already know many of the phrases I use might be considered disrespectful towards God by some.  Here are a few of my favorites:
 - "Lord have mercy" - typically said in exasperation when someone does something...odd
 - "Good Lord" - again typically said in exasperation when I am feeling over-whelmed
 - "OMG" - does it count if I only say the acronym?
 - "Holy S***!" - not sure if that one even counts, but it might.

Those four phrases are a part of my everyday discourse, though I do try not to actually swear in front of my patients, with only limited success (you would be amazed at the things people say to me and do in front of me).

But, the more I think about it, it seems most of the time my perhaps questionable phrases about God are actually towards God, by which I mean prayer.  Maybe I am praying.  Again, I will need to think about it more. 

On Friday I will reflect on my week of trying really hard not to make wrongful use of the Lord's name.  I am pretty curious to see how this will turn out.

*A quick update on commandment two.  I think I finally really got it and put it into action.  I put away the scale.  It had become an idol.  I was practically worshiping the evil little device.  My life would bend to its will.  So, I put it away, only to come out once a week for my weekly weigh in.  No more twice (yes, I said twice - totally disgusting) a day.  Better late than never, but I finally got it.  Thanks be to God!