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TEXT: James 1:26
SUBJECT: Baxter on the Tongue #3
Today, with God's blessing, we'll continue our study of Richard Baxter on the Tongue. Thus far, we've considered his General Directions for Governing the Tongue. He gives fifteen rules to improve our speech.
Now he comes to particular examples of sinful speech. The first of which is: Taking the Lord's name in vain.
DEFINITION
What does this mean? Baxter says it means either of two things:
"In the grossest and most heinous sort, it is perjury or calling God to witness to a lie".
In other words, swearing to a lie in the name of God. This is an awful sin, of course, but it's not very common--at least in my experience. We won't say anything more about it today. The other abuse of God's name is much more common. It is
"When [God's Name] is used lightly, irreverently, contemptuously, jestingly, or without just cause".
People use God's Name to express their surprise, anger, sorrow, or happiness. They also use it to fill space in their conversation--the way others say "you know".
This is the way we'll use the term today. Using God, Lord, or Jesus Christ in a thoughtless way.
If you're in this habit, how do you get out of it? If you're not, how do you stay out of it? Baxter gives five good pieces of advice.
BE CONVERTED
"For avoiding all this profanity and taking the Lord's name in vain, use all directions for conversion. And observe how great an evidence this sin is of a graceless, ungodly, miserable soul. If you had any true grace, it would teach you how to fear and honor God more. To make light of God is inconsistent with godliness, for they are directly contrary".
He's not mincing words on this one. He says the regular abuser of God's Name is unsaved. This sounds laughable to us, but that only proves how degraded our culture is. And how much we believers share in it. It's abused so often we get used to it.
But God doesn't. He "will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain". The silly or thoughtless use of God's Name is not compatible with grace or godly fear.
If this is a big problem with you, I can only say,
"Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and He will have mercy on Him; and to our God and He will abundantly pardon" (Isaiah 55:6).
THINK OF HOW EVIL IT IS.
"It would never be so easily committed by you if you did not think it small".
What a rebuke to this Age of Sensitivity. We have to be so careful about what we call ethnic groups or women or the handicapped, and so on. But nobody cares about how we refer to God! But of course we don't. It's no big deal. Or is it?
Baxter says it is. For eight reasons.
1."Consider who that God is whose Name you abuse. Is He not the great and terrible Majesty, who made the world, orders it, and upholds it by His will? The governor and judge of all the earth, infinitely excelling the sun in glory? A God most holy and in holiness to be mentioned. Know God, and you will sooner tremble at His name, than irreverently abuse it".
2."Consider who you are to profane the holy name of God? Are you not a worm, unable to resist Him? Can He not tread you into hell? And are you now a person fit to despise this God and abuse His name?"
3."Consider you are more impious than those who profane holy things consecrated to God. Was Belshazzar punished with loss of kingdom and life for carousing with the cups dedicated to the Sanctuary? And do you not know that the Name of God has a higher degree of holiness than any utensils of His worship have?"
4."Consider how unworthily you requite God for giving you your tongue and speech. He gave them to you to honor Him, and is this your thanks, to use them to dishonor Him by taking His name in vain?"
5."Your infectious words corrupt others. They tend to bring God into contempt when they hear His name so used".
6."Taking God's name in vain is a greater sin because it is [so pointless]...It brings no honor, no sensual pleasure, and not a penny of profit".
7."You forget how tender and jealous God is to the honor of His holy name".
8."How terribly you draw God's vengeance upon yourself".
You won't remember all the details, of course, but keep the big idea in mind: Taking the Lord's Name in vain is not what most people think it is--a trifling thing. It is one of the greatest sins. For it dishonors God, hurts other people, and puts your soul in grave danger.
STAY IN FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD
"Remember God's presence, and keep His fear upon your heart, and remember His judgment to which you are hastening, and keep a tender conscience, and a watch upon your tongue, and then you will easily escape such a sin as this. Dare you to abuse God's name before His face?"
On the Day of Judgment, no one will take God's name in vain. Why? Because everyone will be awestruck by His Divine Majesty. Well, He is no less glorious and powerful and loving and just right now. If you thought about that; if you craved His Presence, you wouldn't dare abuse His holy Name.
FIND WAYS TO REMIND YOURSELF OF HIS MAJESTY AND YOUR DUTY.
"Write over your doors or bed, where you may most often read it, the Third Commandment, and other passages of Holy Scripture. Think well on these texts."
This idea is borrowed from Deuteronomy 6. The Letter of this Law has passed away. But it's spirit has not. Find ways to remind yourself of God's Majesty and Your duty. Placing several Bibles around the house helps me. Marking your Bible may be helpful. Listening To Christian music may be good. Family Radio has an excellent Bible reading program. Be creative. Use what works for you. But whatever that is, find ways to remind yourself of these things.
LOVE AND HONOR GOD FROM THE HEART
"Love God and honor Him as God, and you will not despise and abuse His name. You will reverence and honor the name of that person whom you love and respect. It is atheism and no love for god that makes one so profane His name".
This is the most important thing Baxter says. In the long run, it's not discipline or Bible-verses on the wall that will keep you from dishonoring the Name of God, but a heart filled with love and respect for Him. "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks"
To help you love and honor God more than you do, read the Bible. This sounds terribly cliché'--I know--but it's still true. It is hard to read His coming to Mount Sinai, and not tremble along with Moses. It is hard to read of the crucifixion, and not melt with love and gratitude. Stay with it! Keep reading the Bible. And read it more carefully than you have. And ask God to impress you with it. Psalm 119:18.
Recall God's mercies to you. The many prayers He has answered; the countless jams He has gotten you out of; your conversion. And more. Ponder these things, and His Name will become very precious indeed.
As much as possible befriend people who love and reverence Him. "He who walks with the wise will be wise, but a companion of fools will be destroyed".
Pray for more love and reverence. He wants you to love and fear Him more than you do. What His law demands, His grace gives. In answer to prayer. I John 5:14.
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