The Power of the Name of Jesus

What's in a name? A whole lot when it's the name of God. Your reputation, your character, and your authority are all represented by your name. When God's name is misused we defame His reputation, His character, and His authority.

Titus 1:16 Such people claim they know God, but they deny Him by the way they live. They are despicable and disobedient, worthless for anything good.

God's name was not meant as a tool to impress. Religious cliche's are just that words. Our lifestyle can either lift up the Lord's name or drag it through the gutter. Our walk needs to match our talk. Let your life, not your words, be your witness before man.

Isaiah 29:13 And so the Lord says, "These people say they are mine. They worship me with their lips, but their hearts are far away. And their worship of me amounts to nothing more than human laws learned by rote.

Each Sunday as I sit in church services I hear parishoners recite the Lord's prayer. It's a methodical almost mechanical recitation of words that seem to have no real meaning to those speaking them. What may be surprising to many is that you take the Lord's name in vain when you just recite words in His name by just going through the motions. Instead this should be an act of worship in which we pray these words lovingly and carefully. Praying to Him when your mind is a thousand miles away is impulsive and has no meaning. Take the time to talk to God in a way that expresses true worship.

Intimidation. That's a word that you would think has nothing to do with God's name, but everytime you claim God has given you direction for something of your own making, that's exactly how you're using His name. To intimidate. "I've prayed about this and God wants me/us to..." Sound familiar. Many people use these words when they want others to cooperate with a plan. But is it their plan or God's plan. Be careful and make sure that God is the leader because when you claim God's approval on something that is clearly not His will, you are breaking the third commandment.

We should use God's name reverently. We must treat His name with the utmost respect being careful at all times not to misuse it because He will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name. Exodus 20:7.