There is taking the Lord's name in vain and then there is swearing by the Lord's name.
We know we are not to take the Lord's name in vain... Exodus 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
And we know we should not swear by the Lord's name. Right?
Leviticus 19:12 And ye shall not swear by my name...
See there! Oops. Wait. Stop being a Southern Baptist and finish the verse.
Leviticus 19:12 And ye shall not swear by my name FALSELY, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the Lord.
He qualified that swearing with the word FALSELY. Does that mean there are times when we can and should swear by God's name?
Swearing does not mean cussing... profaning the name of God, taking the Lord's name in vain. Swearing means to make a solemn statement or promise or affirm something.
Deuteronomy 6:13 Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.
Deuteronomy 10:20 Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name.
Jeremiah 12:16 And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, The Lord liveth; as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built in the midst of my people.
It sounds like we should swear by His name... in a way that is solemn and affirming not vain or profane.
Should we swear on the stand to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth? Are you affirming God or affirming your word? There is a difference. You affirm God when you give him credit for the things he has done. Is that what you're doing on the witness stand, though?
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