Taking the Lord's Name in Vain

What does it mean to that the Lord's name in vain? Most seem to think it's using His name in conjunction with a swear word - which is true, but that's not all there is to it. I've observed many Christians who refuse to say "Godda####" or "Jesus Christ" as an exclamation. They say that is taking the Lord's name in vain. It is. But many of those same people will also say, "oh my god!" with no hesitation... yet they won't say, "jesus christ" in the same way. Even though they believe (correctly) that God and Jesus are One.
I'm telling you today, that using God's name in any way other than directly speaking to Him or about Him is the same as using His name with a swear word or using "jesus christ" as an exclamation. Exactly the same.


The Third Commandment concerns the sanctity of God’s name. We are commanded by God to honor and respect His name: "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain" (Exodus 20:7
).
"Vain" means empty, useless, false, unreal, and worthless. In short, taking God’s name in vain refers to the abuse, misuse, blasphemy, cursing, or manipulation of the Lord’s name. 
According to The New Webster’s Dictionary and Thesaurus, the term "to honor" means "to treat with significance." To treat something with significance is the opposite of taking something "in vain."


So, use of God’s name in vain involves:

 - Trivializing His name by looking at it as being insignificant. "oh my god", "oh god", "god, that movie was great.". These are all examples of taking the Lord's name in vain. Think about it. Would you substitute "jesus christ" for the word "god" in any of these phrases? 

 - Using His name with profanity or blasphemy is an obvious violation of the 3rd Commandment. 

One of the rules around our home (and we have very few) is that we don't take the Lord's name in vain. I personally do not get offended by other swear words and sometimes there is a place for them. After all, those who don't swear at all, simply substitute other words for them, but the meaning is the same, so to me, they might as well say what they mean. The way I phrase the rule when my kids' friends are in the house and I hear them violating the 3rd commandment is this: "We don't take the Lord's name in vain in this house. Unless you're talking directly about Him or to Him, leave Him out of the conversation. If you must swear, be real. Fuck and shit are OK. They don't involve the Lord, and they really don't offend me or anyone else who lives here, but using His name disrespectfully is not OK. Don't do it" - Before you get all bent on that last few sentences, my kids are 20 and 25.