I'm posting something another commenter here said to me last month, because it changed the way I feel about this commandment.
In Judaism there's the concept of "Chilul Hashem" which means a desecration of G-d's name. Which I think is the commandment here. This is when you do disgrace to G-d's name, like a Jew who behaves immorally while presenting himself as pious. (Which should be everyone, but isn't). Same thing would probably apply to Christians who proclaim themselves as loyal followers of Jesus, but do things that would make Jesus embarrassed.
The opposite is Kiddush Hashem -- sanctification of G-d's name. Which is bringing honor or respect to G-d.
There was a story I read from a survivor in a Concentration Camp during World War 2. I can't remember the exact details. I'm going to mess up this story. The survivor tells about a man who was not particularly religious, who was given a small amount of authority over the other prisoners by the Nazis. When the Nazis issued ham sandwiches for the prisoners to eat on Yom Kippur, this man said to them: "Are you sure? Non kosher food on Yom Kippur?" So the Nazis shot him. The observer was astounded that such a non-religious man actually ended up giving his life for Kiddush Hashem
This makes a billion times more sense to me. Requesting Him to act in righteousness (damn a traitor, bless the sick, etc) is not taking His name in vain. Claiming He wants an action done on His behalf which is not righteous, is to take His name in vain, as it casts disrepute upon Him by deed, not just thought.
I'm posting something another commenter here said to me last month, because it changed the way I feel about this commandment.
In Judaism there's the concept of "Chilul Hashem" which means a desecration of G-d's name. Which I think is the commandment here. This is when you do disgrace to G-d's name, like a Jew who behaves immorally while presenting himself as pious. (Which should be everyone, but isn't). Same thing would probably apply to Christians who proclaim themselves as loyal followers of Jesus, but do things that would make Jesus embarrassed.
The opposite is Kiddush Hashem -- sanctification of G-d's name. Which is bringing honor or respect to G-d.
There was a story I read from a survivor in a Concentration Camp during World War 2. I can't remember the exact details. I'm going to mess up this story. The survivor tells about a man who was not particularly religious, who was given a small amount of authority over the other prisoners by the Nazis. When the Nazis issued ham sandwiches for the prisoners to eat on Yom Kippur, this man said to them: "Are you sure? Non kosher food on Yom Kippur?" So the Nazis shot him. The observer was astounded that such a non-religious man actually ended up giving his life for Kiddush Hashem
This makes a billion times more sense to me. Requesting Him to act in righteousness (damn a traitor, bless the sick, etc) is not taking His name in vain. Claiming He wants an action done on His behalf which is not righteous, is to take His name in vain, as it casts disrepute upon Him by deed, not just thought.
Hey, I think I wrote that! I'm glad it touched you!