Is Swearing a Violation of the Ten Commandments? - No. - Well, maybe... ???

[Bob Estey]

I'm shocked.
You believe that saying "Father, we had bad weather!" to someone other than God would violate the commandment?

If they were observant, they might ask who you were addressing. Father? (who's father?)
Which proves they didn't think you were talking about God. Which isn't his name anyway.

]

People don't say, "Father, we had bad weather!" People say, "God, we had bad weather!" They know what the word "God" means.

 

[St. SteVen]

People don't say, "Father, we had bad weather!" People say, "God, we had bad weather!" They know what the word "God" means.

So, is that really a misuse of God's "name" (title?) according to the Ten Commandments?
Is that what God was informing the Israelites of in the wilderness?

As I recall, they weren't even allowed to speak the name of God.
That's why the OT uses YHWH instead of God;s actual name, which we are unsure of.

It seems that what you are restating is the modern take that I think is erroneous.

What do you make of all this? I appreciate your engagement in this discussion. BTW

]

 

[Bob Estey]

So, is that really a misuse of God's "name" (title?) according to the Ten Commandments?
Is that what God was informing the Israelites of in the wilderness?

As I recall, they weren't even allowed to speak the name of God.
That's why the OT uses YHWH instead of God;s actual name, which we are unsure of.

It seems that what you are restating is the modern take that I think is erroneous.

What do you make of all this? I appreciate your engagement in this discussion. BTW

]

Yes, that is a misuse of the Lord's name.
I believe that is what the Lord was informing the Israelites in the wilderness.
I don't address the Lord by his name - I address him as "Father" (as I mentioned before).
I don't believe I am erroneous in this matter.
Why would anyone need to invoke the Lord's name in statements such as, "God, the weather is awful!" Doesn't that seem disrespectful?
It's nice to be in a discussion which is a search for the truth.

 

[Bob Estey]

So, is that really a misuse of God's "name" (title?) according to the Ten Commandments?
Is that what God was informing the Israelites of in the wilderness?

As I recall, they weren't even allowed to speak the name of God.
That's why the OT uses YHWH instead of God;s actual name, which we are unsure of.

It seems that what you are restating is the modern take that I think is erroneous.

What do you make of all this? I appreciate your engagement in this discussion. BTW

]

Yes, that is a misuse of the Lord's name.
I believe that is what the Lord was informing the Israelites in the wilderness.
I don't address the Lord by his name - I address him as "Father" (as I mentioned before).
I don't believe I am erroneous in this matter.
Why would anyone need to invoke the Lord's name in statements such as, "God, the weather is awful!" Doesn't that seem disrespectful?
It's nice to be in a discussion which is a search for the truth.

... And when I talk about the Lord, I refer to him as "Lord" or "God," and not by his name.

 

[St. SteVen]

Yes, that is a misuse of the Lord's name.
I believe that is what the Lord was informing the Israelites in the wilderness.

So, you think the Israelites had a problem with saying "God" this... and "God" that...?

That seems very strange to me.

]

 

[Bob Estey]

So, you think the Israelites had a problem with saying "God" this... and "God" that...?

That seems very strange to me.

]

You don't some of them were vain?

 

[Phoneman777]

Be sure to inform your favorite pastor. Thanks.

If you'll inform your rainbow sympathizing ilk of their scheduled swim meet in Fire Lake.

 

[St. SteVen]

If you'll inform your rainbow sympathizing ilk of their scheduled swim meet in Fire Lake.

--- PARODY ---

The Welcome Wagon

Christian neighbor: Welcome to the neighbor. I brought you a plate of cookies.
New neighbor: Thank you, that's very kind.
Christian neighbor: We noticed while you were moving in that you wear rainbow T-Shirts and such.
New neighbor: Uh... yes, I suppose we do. ???
Christian neighbor: I need to warn you about the judgment of God.
New neighbor: Say what? !!!
Christian neighbor: LGBTQ people will burn in hell.
New neighbor: Here are your cookies back. We don't want them.
Christian neighbor: Was it something I said?
New neighbor: Ya think? !!!

/

 

[JBO]

Follow-up to the topic:

Is Lying a Violation of the Ten Commandments? - No. - Well, maybe... ???

The 9th Commandments reads: “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. - EXODUS 20:16 NIV Giving false testimony is perjury specifically, not lying in general. ??? perjury /pûr′jə-rē/ noun The crime of willfully and knowingly making a false statement about a material fact...

www.christianityboard.com

The common understanding is that "taking the Lord's name in vain" is what we have labeled "swearing", that is using the word "God" as an expletive. But is that what this commandment is referring to? In the same way we repackaged the commandment about not bearing false witness (perjury) as lying, we have repacked this commandment too. What does it actually mean?

I believe that the common understanding of that commandment is wrong. It is not about swearing. It is about taking up God's name in the process of committing evil. It is about doing evil in God's name. Examples might be the advocating of slavery, such as was done in the early years of the nation, and claiming that it is with God's acceptance. Or it is the lying, stealing, murder of infidels as proclaimed by Muslim adherents to Islam who say they are doing so in God's honor.

It is the only one of the ten commandments that carries with it a stated punishment; Exo 20:7 "........for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain." That is just how serious God considers disobedience of that commandment to be. Surely, God would not consider swearing worse that murder.

I believe it is very close to the same idea that Jesus expressed in condemning the blaspheming of the Holy Spirit (Matt 12:31).

 

[St. SteVen]

I believe that the common understanding of that commandment is wrong. It is not about swearing. It is about taking up God's name in the process of committing evil. It is about doing evil in God's name. Examples might be the advocating of slavery, such as was done in the early years of the nation, and claiming that it is with God's acceptance. Or it is the lying, stealing, murder of infidels as proclaimed by Muslim adherents to Islam who say they are doing so in God's honor.

It is the only one of the ten commandments that carries with it a stated punishment; Exo 20:7 "........for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain." That is just how serious God considers disobedience of that commandment to be. Surely, God would not consider swearing worse that murder.

I believe it is very close to the same idea that Jesus expressed in condemning the blaspheming of the Holy Spirit (Matt 12:31).

That's an interesting view. Did you know that slavery was common in ancient times?

• Ephesians 6:5
  Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.
  
  
• Ephesians 6:9
  And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.
  
  
• Colossians 3:22
  Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.
  
  
• Colossians 4:1
  Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
  
  
• 1 Timothy 6:2
  Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare of their slaves. These are the things you are to teach and insist on.
  
  
• Titus 2:9
  Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them,
  
  
• 1 Peter 2:18
  Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.

]

 

[JBO]

That's an interesting view. Did you know that slavery was common in ancient times?

• Ephesians 6:5
  Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.
  
  
• Ephesians 6:9
  And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.
  
  
• Colossians 3:22
  Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.
  
  
• Colossians 4:1
  Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
  
  
• 1 Timothy 6:2
  Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare of their slaves. These are the things you are to teach and insist on.
  
  
• Titus 2:9
  Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them,
  
  
• 1 Peter 2:18
  Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.

]

But none of those passages condone slavery generally or condone Christians owning slaves. All are little more than recognition of the existence of slavery.

And by the way, slavery is not uncommon in parts of the world today. Some obvious examples are China and North Korea even if it is state operated slavery and not personal ownership of slaves.

 

[St. SteVen]

But none of those passages condone slavery generally or condone Christians owning slaves. All are little more than recognition of the existence of slavery.

These two seem to condone slavery generally and condone Christians owning slaves. They remind Christian masters that we ALL are slaves.

• Ephesians 6:9
  And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that
  he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.
  
  
• Colossians 4:1
  Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

And by the way, slavery is not uncommon in parts of the world today. Some obvious examples are China and North Korea even if it is state operated slavery and not personal ownership of slaves.

Agree.

]

 

[JBO]

These two seem to condone slavery generally and condone Christians owning slaves. They remind Christian masters that we ALL are slaves.

• Ephesians 6:9
  And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that
  he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.
  
  
• Colossians 4:1
  Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Agree.

]

You are positing some of the faulty arguments given by the early American slave holders. I won't bother to go through the counter arguments here. You can look that up on your own and then make up your own mind which is best.

 

[Phoneman777]

--- PARODY ---

The Welcome Wagon

Christian neighbor: Welcome to the neighbor. I brought you a plate of cookies.
New neighbor: Thank you, that's very kind.
Christian neighbor: We noticed while you were moving in that you wear rainbow T-Shirts and such.
New neighbor: Uh... yes, I suppose we do. ???
Christian neighbor: I need to warn you about the judgment of God.
New neighbor: Say what? !!!
Christian neighbor: LGBTQ people will burn in hell.
New neighbor: Here are your cookies back. We don't want them.
Christian neighbor: Was it something I said?
New neighbor: Ya think? !!!

Isaiah 58:1 KJV
[1] Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.

Ezekiel 33:6 KJV
[6] But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.