44. How do we fear and love God in keeping the Second Commandment?
First, we fear and love God by not using His name
A. to swear thoughtlessly or meaninglessly (in vain) or as a "curse" word;
Exodus 20:7 For the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.B. to try to manipulate God for our purposes in sorcery, as a magic charm, or to curse others;
James 3:8-10 No human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.Read Acts 19:11-20: the sons of Sceva used Jesus' name superstitiously as a magical formula. In Luke 9:51-55, Jesus rebuked the disciples' desire to curse a village so God would punish it; and in Acts 23:12-15, the chief priests swore an oath to kill the apostle Paul. Read Deuteronomy 18:10-12: God's people do not cast spells, call up spirits, tell fortunes, consult the dead, or engage in other occult practices.
C. to lie to others or deceive them by speaking or teaching falsely about God.
Matthew 7:21 Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord," will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in Heaven.Jeremiah 23:31-32 Behold, I am against the prophets, declares the LORD, who use their tongues and declare, "declares the LORD." Behold, I am against those who prophesy lying dreams, declares the LORD, and who tell them and lead My people astray by their lies and their recklessness, when I did not send them or charge them. So they do not profit this people at all, declares the LORD.
Read Matthew 26:69-74: Peter swore that he did not know Jesus (also Leviticus 19:12; Matthew 5:33-37).
Second, we fear and love God by using His name to
A. seek from Him all good things for ourselves and others;
John 16:23 In that day you will ask nothing of Me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He will give it to you.1 Timothy 2:1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people.
Luke 11:1-4 tells how our Lord regularly called on His Father in prayer and taught His disciples to do the same.
B. call upon Him in times of trouble;
Psalm 50:15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.Read Isaiah 36-37, where King Hezekiah prays to God when the overwhelming armies of Assyria are surrounding Jerusalem. See also Matthew 27:28-49, where Jesus calls on God in His darkest hour.
C. acknowledge in thanks and praise that all good things have come from Him alone;
Psalm 150:2 Prise Him for His mighty deeds; praise Him according to HIs excellent greatness!Psalm 118:1 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!
Read Psalm 136; 138: Mary's Magnificat in Luke 1:46-55; and Zechariah's prophecy in Luke 1:58-79.
D. speak and teach truthfully about God in accordance with His Word.
Jeremiah 23:28 Let him who has My word speak My word faithfully.Read John 17:11-19, notice the connection between God's name and truthfully teaching His Word.
Eventual commentary - focus on Psalm 136
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