THE POWER & REVERENCE OF GOD’S NAME
Exodus 20:7 — “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain…”
(NLT) “Do not misuse the name of the LORD your God…”
Why is God’s name so sacred?
Because a name represents:
1. Reputation – what comes to mind when you hear a name.
2. Character – who a person is.
3. Authority – the power behind the name.
To misuse God’s name is to mishandle His reputation, character, and authority.
HOW GOD REVEALED HIS NAME
Old Testament Names of God
Jehovah • Elohim • Adonai • Jehovah-Jireh • Jehovah-Rapha • Jehovah-Nissi •
Jehovah-M’kaddesh • Jehovah-Shalom • Jehovah-Shaphat • Jehovah-Sabaoth •
Jehovah-Tsidkenu • Jehovah-Raah • Jehovah-Shammah • The Lord our Creator
Each reveals a dimension of who God is.
“I AM THAT I AM” — Exodus 3God reveals Himself as the Eternal, Self-Existent One — omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient.
Hebrew idiom: “When you get there, I will be there.”
YHWH (Yahweh / Jehovah)
So sacred that by Jesus’ day it had not been spoken aloud for 300+ years.
But God did not forbid speaking His name — only misusing it.
THE NAME REVEALED IN THE NEW
TESTAMENT
Matthew 1:21 — “Thou shalt call His name JESUS…”
The name Jesus includes and surpasses every OT name.
It is the redemptive, saving, supreme name of God.
Colossians 1:14–19; 2:9
Jesus is the image of the invisible God;
by Him all things were created;
in Him all the fulness of the Godhead dwells bodily.
JESUS = “Yahweh is Salvation.”
OT Shadow → NT Fulfillment
Isaiah 45:22–23 — Every knee shall bow…
Philippians 2:10–11 — Every knee shall bow at the name of Jesus…
Jesus Declares “I AM” (10 times)
Bread of life (Jn 6:35)
Light of world (Jn 8:12)Door (Jn 10:9)
Good shepherd (Jn 10:11)
Resurrection & life (Jn 11:25)
Way, truth, life (Jn 14:6)
If you believe not that I AM, you will die in your sins (Jn 8:24)
Before Abraham was, I AM (Jn 8:58)
To soldiers: I AM (they fall back) (Jn 18:5–6)
To the high priest: I AM (Mk 14:62)
Jesus openly identifies Himself as YAHWEH.
THE IRONY OF THE CROSS
John 19:19–22
Pilate unknowingly proclaims the truth:
“JESUS OF NAZARETH, KING OF THE JEWS.”
What man meant for insult, God used as revelation.
(1 Corinthians 1:27)
FIVE WAYS PEOPLE TAKE GOD’S NAME IN VAIN
1. To Insult
Using God’s name in profanity.
Swearing signals emotional immaturity.2. To Indulge
Using God’s name to excuse sinful decisions.
Leviticus 19:12 — “Do not swear falsely by My name…”
Blending secular ideology with Scripture is misuse of His name.
3. To Imitate (Manipulate)
Claiming “God told me” to justify personal desires.
This is spiritual forgery.
Exodus 20:7 warns God will not hold this guiltless.
4. To Impress
Religious clichés with no lifestyle to match.
Titus 1:16 — “They profess…but in works they deny Him.”
5. To Use Impulsively
Saying God’s name casually, thoughtlessly.
Even worship can be vain when the heart is absent.
Isaiah 29:13 • Matthew 6:7
The name Jesus makes angels stand at attention and demons tremble —
how can we say it casually?
HOW TO HONOR GOD’S NAME
1. Reverence His name continually.
Psalm 29:2 — “Give unto the LORD the glory due unto His name…”
2. Represent His name clearly.Your life lifts or drags His name.
2 Timothy 2:19 — depart from iniquity if you name His name.
“Jesus” is our family name—we must reflect our Father.
3. Rely on His name completely.
We pray, baptize, preach, and live in Jesus’ name.
Colossians 3:17
Acts 4:12
Acts 2:38
THE BLESSING OF HONORING HIS
NAME
Psalm 61:5 —
“Thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear Thy name.”
(Living Bible: the blessing reserved for those who reverence His name.)
Use His name intentionally, gratefully, and worshipfully:
“Jesus.”
“Jesus.”
“Jesus.”
The name that heals, delivers, saves, and sustains.