Have You Broken This Commandment? The Third Commandment…

I have. I have broken at least one of the Ten Commandments: "'You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.'" (Exodus 20:7 NKJV)

As a little girl, I heard adults talk about how God doesn't like it when we state, "Oh God." For example, saying to someone, "Oh God, how could you be so out of line?" or "Oh God! I didn't know that." So, as a child, I made a mental note to never say those two words, thinking that if I avoided them, I'd be fine and wouldn't misuse God's name.

However, it was years later that I realized what this commandment really meant—it's about relationship!

You see, I was at a point in my life where God had healed me from many years of anorexia. When this healing took place, people came to me and marveled: "Wow, you must have a really deep relationship with God because of how He's healed you!" And I beamed and answered, "Yes, God and I are very close." But that wasn't true because honestly, my parents had been the ones interceding and fighting on my behalf. I myself didn't have a deep relationship with Jesus at the time.

Have you ever felt like someone "used" you for something you're good at? Did that person feign a relationship with you when truth be told, there was no real relationship—because he/she didn't actually want it? That hurts—a lot. It's abuse.

When I look back today, I recognize that I did the same thing with the Lord because I was insecure. I couldn't believe that Jesus wanted a relationship with me, Déborah, just as I was. I didn't believe it, and that's why I abused His name. I spoke His name in vain rather than out of love that comes from a real relationship.

I believe that if we trust His love for us 100%, we won't take His name in vain.

When I realized my error, it frightened me, but that's also when my honest and deeply personal journey with God began—and it's the most beautiful relationship I could ever have.

I'd like to ask you today…is there a real relationship behind the words you say about God? Or do you just say these words without much thought or because it's what's expected of you?

The Lord desires a real, sincere relationship with you!

You are a miracle!

Déborah