"Thou Shalt Not"

One unbelief that I've had has to do with our ten commandments. It seems rather silly seeing as they are pretty self explanatory but it took those on higher grounds to help elevate my understanding of one in particular.

7 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

Seems simple enough. Don't take God's name in vain. No "gosh darn-its!" and so forth. Well, this simple commandment may have a lot more to it than I have ever realized. I recognize that it is bad and disrespectful to pronounce his name along with some curse words. His name should be revered. He is the God of all living. We should honor Him with our conduct and words. What has never occurred to me is that maybe, just maybe God doesn't want us speaking in His name when He is not the author of those words. Interesting isn't it? I've thought about this a lot. I've thought about how many things I may have said in Elder's quorum and elsewhere saying the Lord says this or that He wants this etc. I hope the Lord will forgive me for ever speaking in His name when what I was speaking was either incorrect, false doctrine, lies or not approved by the Holy Ghost. I realize how serious a thing this is!

Why would this be such a serious thing? What about if the speaker,, being wrong, is sincere in his words?

Let's look at what Christ had to say in Matthew:

13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

The scribes and pharisees were the religious leaders of their time. How often do you suppose they spoke in the Lord's name? When we say we speak in the Lord's name is it possible that we are misleading each other into false paths? It appears, according to Christ, that this indeed is possible. How many times have I ended a talk or lesson in Christ's name? Were my words approved by Christ or were they the words of just a man? It probably occurred in both instances but in the future if I am not teaching directly from the scriptures and or the Holy Ghost I think it would be unwise to say such things in His name. I am not His authorized servant. I am trying to become His servant.

How often do leaders within our own Church speak their own wills and do so in His name? Should they be careful of this?

When writing this blog I am trying my best never to say that the Lord means this or that. If I do, discard it unless a scripture is cited or the Holy Ghost confirms to you a witness of the truth. Even then my interpretation could be incorrect. I am in no way trying nor pretending to speak in His name. My objective is to cast off this veil of unbelief that currently blinds me. I am hoping along this journey I will do so and I will be able to better help those who are trying to also. Forgive me if I use the Lord's name in vain. Call me out and I will seek to be corrected.