Untitled article by Henry Nicola

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · September 17, 1867

TAKING THE LORD'S NAME IN VAIN.

By Henry Nicola

That name which should only be spoken with reverence and awe is very many times taken in an irreverent and thoughtless manner by the thoughtless and profane.

For the sake of those who mean well but do not always consider before speaking, I will here try to point out some of the ways in which his name is taken in vain.

In using it lightly or rashly in exclamations and appeals in common conversation.
Hypocritically in our prayers, thanksgivings, &c.
Superstitiously, as when the Israelites carried the ark to the field of battle, to render them successful against the Philistines. 1 Sam. iv, 3, 4.
Wantonly, in swearing by him or creatures in his stead. Matt. v, 34–37.
By perjuring ourselves, or attesting that which is false. Matt. iii, 5.
Blasphemously, reviling God or causing others to do so. Rom. ii, 24.

God's name is impiously, unfeelingly, ungratefully singled out as the object of irreverence, contempt, and thoughtless levity. It is used indiscriminately to express anger, joy, grief, surprise, impatience, and what is still more unreasonable than all, as a mere unmeaning expletive, which being excited by no temptation, can have nothing to extenuate it, and causing no emotion, can have nothing to recommend it, except the pleasure of sin.

There is yet another way in which his name may be taken in vain, of which I must speak, and in which some of the readers of the Review may probably be in more danger, than in respect to any of the other ways I have mentioned; that is, in relating the conversation of wicked and profane persons and using their language entire. I would suggest that if a story cannot be told so as to give the meaning without uttering those awfully profane expressions, it had better be left untold. It makes me feel worse to hear the man of God repeating the blasphemous expressions of another than it does to hear the ungodly man make them. It sounds to me like taking the Lord's name in vain; and the Lord has said that he will not hold him guiltless that takes his name in vain. Are we all clear in this matter?

HENRY NICOLA.

Pilot Grove, Iowa.