You know Dennis Prager is a very nice guy . I've been on his radio program a number of times . It was called Religion on the Line back in the early 1990s , dennis Prager . Dennis Prager and a lot of Christians listen to what he says . He's not a Christian , he's Jewish . He doesn't quote Jesus when he talks about blasphemy . He doesn't quote Jesus when he talks about adultery . He speaks of adultery and Christians take notice because he's so eloquent and such a nice guy . He says adultery is wrong because it's detrimental to society . That's not why it's wrong . It's wrong because it's wrong in God's eyes . It's to sin against God . David didn't say have mercy upon me , oh God , because I've done something that's detrimental to society . He says I've sinned against you and Nathan when he said you've sinned against God . So , and it's the same with blasphemy . He says the greatest sin is to live in hypocrisy and it won't be forgiven . And that's what the Third Commandment addresses you should not take the name of the Lord , your God , in vain . That doesn't mean to use God's name as a curse word . And he does it and he makes light of it and he tells Christians it's not blasphemy to say hit your thumb with a hammer and say the name of Jesus or God or whatever , and Christians take notice of what he says . And he says that sin of living in hypocrisy will not be forgiven . It says it in the Third Commandment the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain . Jesus forgave blasphemers . Lord was a blasphemer . He was forgiven and we're forgiven in Christ . But Dennis Prager doesn't mention that . But he's . He had a lot of people quoting Christians , quoting Dennis Prager and saying Ray , you've got it wrong using God's name , and vain is not using this curse word , it's living a life of hypocrisy and discrediting God's name . And they've got that , it seems , from Dennis Prager .
Emeal ZwayneThis is Living Waters Breaking News . A strange sight was widely reported by multiple citizens of the European Union . Eyewitnesses claim that a little mustached Kiwi man with chocolate smudges all over his face was found stuffed in the overhead luggage compartment of a railway train . However , upon further investigation , authorities discovered that the exhausted little fellow who allegedly kept yelling yep right , yep , yep , yep , yep , yep , right when apprehended , had actually stuffed himself in the overhead luggage compartment and was enjoying a much needed snooze-a-roo . After being admitted as a permanent resident of the renowned Cuckoo Kiwi Club psychiatric ward , the down under bloke allegedly exclaimed I miss sleeping in the hole in my bed and this was the next best thing I could find , You're crazy , I'm so crazy . See this would be ridiculous if it wasn't true . But , ray , tell the people what you did .
Ray ComfortTell the people , tell the people , tell the overhead whatever you call it for luggage and slept because it was perfect . It was made for comfort . You couldn't do that on the seating and the train We'd be like . Why don't we go on 10 trains ?
Emeal ZwayneI would say 90% of people physically can't do that on the planet .
Ray ComfortWell , I could , so I did .
Emeal ZwayneTrain . Oscar , you weren't with us in the train . The luggage he slept up top .
Mark SpenceYou have to be under five feet and weigh less than 75 pounds . So there's no problem , and Ray needed a ladder .
Emeal ZwayneWell , we have a picture of it for proof too . Someone took a picture . Look at it . It's right here .
Oscar NavarroScotty .
Emeal ZwayneCarol probably has that picture somewhere . I remember that . You need to get that to us and he did it , and he slept on a train .
Ray ComfortLook , the Japanese do that sort of thing all the time in planes and trains and they just stuff them in .
Emeal ZwayneDon't the Japanese have these little micro like they're like ?
Ray Comfortadult compartments . It's because they're little people and they can do that .
Emeal ZwayneThey just sleep in there .
Ray ComfortThey got them wise . So I led the way for the Japanese Wise , or wide Wise . I led the way for the Japanese .
Emeal ZwayneThey saw it . They saw it . It was you that did it .
Ray ComfortYes .
Emeal ZwayneNow , Ray , why did you have chocolate smudges on your face in the article ?
Ray ComfortBecause we ate chocolate everywhere we went , because every we had all these people that love our ministry meet us in Europe and they . I don't know why they brought us chocolate , but they did . Maybe we asked for it Seriously .
Emeal ZwayneThat ain't something a bad thing , Mark . We were kind of on like chocolate overdose at some time and loving it .
Mark SpenceI absolutely love to raise point because America is terrible at making chocolate , oh , absolutely . Something called Hershey is chocolate , that's actually .
Emeal ZwayneYou know I have to back to differ . It's funny you say that , though , mark , because yesterday I was eating a Kit Kat and I thought we made good chocolate . What oh ?
Mark Spenceno , it tastes like a plastic .
Emeal ZwayneYou know like .
Mark SpenceJapan has like 150 different flavors of Kit Kat Stop .
Ray ComfortI can't believe that Kat Lovers haven't complained about that . The what , kat Lovers ? I'm eating a .
Emeal ZwayneKit Kat .
Oscar NavarroI got to go to a chocolate factory in Switzerland .
Mark SpenceIt was made of Wanka .
Oscar NavarroSo good .
Emeal ZwayneYeah , mr Wanka , do they have potato flavored ? Kit Kats ?
Mark SpenceI don't know , I think they do . Actually , I think they have like taro .
Oscar NavarroYou know , my favorite chocolate candy thing is is deep fried Oreo . Have you ever had deep ?
Emeal Zwaynefried Oreo . People keep talking about this . I don't think I have .
Oscar NavarroIt's a game changer .
Emeal ZwayneWhatever ?
Ray Comfortman , I'm telling you Anything deep fried is a game changer .
Emeal ZwayneOkay , but why is this , especially from the South , rave about fried stuff . Yeah , because it's fried , give me a break .
Oscar NavarroBreak me off a piece of that Kit Kat bar .
Emeal ZwayneThat was good , oscar so . Switzerland , I'm planning Germany have the best chocolates .
Oscar NavarroYeah , switzerland , for sure Switzerland .
Ray ComfortHang on . Belgium was close too .
Emeal ZwayneOh yeah .
Oscar NavarroBelgium has good . Oh , that's a waffle .
Emeal ZwayneYeah , okay , I got to say , though In fact , I was telling you this in the airport yesterday , mark . By the way , friends , I'm jet-lagged , obviously . C's , c's they're always jiggling . C's candy is magical . No way , wow . I'm sorry , I couldn't believe what he said . Okay , oh wait , oh , you were like mocking me actually , yeah , when I told you that yesterday . You know that .
Oscar NavarroC . I didn't want to say that loud . There's a reason why they give it away for free out front .
Emeal ZwayneOkay , hey , mark , you bought a gift for someone while we were at the airport . What did you buy them ?
Mark SpenceC's candy , because I love them I see .
Ray ComfortC's candy is owned by Weight Watch , as you know , makes sense .
Emeal ZwayneThat's how they keep their clientele rolling in , rolling in . Wow , I love them . You guys are crazy . C's candy , in my opinion , is the best chocolate on the planet Okay , I'm sorry , the best Next to M&Ms .
Ray ComfortThe best Swiss chocolates no .
Mark SpenceGuys , this reminds me I have a gift for all of you , for one of our listeners , oh , oh Do you and .
Oscar NavarroI bring it in a bag . Is it ticking ?
Mark SpenceIt's not , it's because we're talking about food . It deals with food . Okay , why have we not been best friends since kindergarten ? Well that is Matt and Amy Holmes , and my daughter is dating . I just noticed that you made a mustache to my face on the mug On Oscar's mug .
Oscar NavarroI was waiting for someone .
Mark SpenceLet me see . And he blacked out one of Ezy's teeth .
Emeal ZwayneWhat are you doing there ?
Ray ComfortI just put it on my mug like that , not for free .
Emeal ZwayneWait , what did you do to Mark ? Wait , that looks normal . Give me a coat . I'm a Foo man , chew .
Mark SpenceSee how easy it is for us to get a .
Ray ComfortJust get on with it , I'm Mark .
Emeal ZwayneI'm excited here .
Mark SpenceGive me my gift
. So , matt and Amy Holmes , they listen to the podcast and they have just amazing kids , absolutely . In fact their daughter Lauren is dating a young man named Matthias who checks our water . He works for the Belflower Water Company . He always comes by , he listens to the podcast , are you serious ? Yeah , I am Dead serious . He wants to come in and check things out and I want to be able to do that , but Matt and Amy and your daughter is dating their son .
Emeal ZwayneYou didn't say that .
Mark SpenceYes , Made some Fig Jam . What Dude let's go . I love Fig Jam .
Emeal ZwayneGive it to me that's really good , and made it Let the knees are fake for now . You know what I'm going to take that right now . That's a good one . The podcast I will be the first .
Ray ComfortDaisy , you're going to have to lie . This is going to be a program that lie .
Emeal ZwayneI could tell it's good . Let's see here .
Ray ComfortYou're going to use your finger , yeah , good sound . Easy to be back in a few moments . Wow , this is good , this is homemade .
Mark SpenceThat is homemade , yeah , made so much so pumped , thank you guys . That's parents' garden .
Oscar NavarroOh , thank you guys . This is really good . I love Fig and I love Jam . Put it together and it's Fig Jam .
Emeal ZwayneFig Jam . Yeah , you know what's really good Teen , teen , teen is how you say , fig in Arabic .
Oscar NavarroHere I'll give you a hack Take sourdough bread , toast it , throw a cottage cheese on it and then your fig jam . Okay .
Mark SpenceI'm not going to lie , that actually sounds pretty good . It's amazing .
Emeal ZwayneThat is nice . Why do you guys eat weird things ? I ?
Mark Spencedon't eat anything . It says the guy who eats the weirdest things in the world Raw liver Arabs eat it .
Ray ComfortChanging the subject one of our chickens identified as a rooster .
Emeal ZwayneIt's happening everywhere . It happens on a .
Ray ComfortSaturday morning I thought he's got a sore throat . Oh , she's got a sore throat , but it was proper . Cockadoodle-doo Roosters are illegal in bellflower , which meant we had to get out the chopping block . I'm not kidding , Wait , stop it . And then , when we checked the internet , we thought yeah , that's a rooster . What do you mean ? A chopping block ? You killed the chicken . No , you have to kill chickens if you can't get rid of them . And I couldn't get rid of these roosters . Nobody wants a rooster . It's not a rooster .
Emeal ZwayneIt's a chicken with a sore throat .
Ray ComfortNo , it's a rooster . We looked up all the signs and they've got flamboyant clothing . They've got these long feathers .
Emeal ZwayneOh wait , you mean , you bought a chicken ? It turned out to be a chicken . No , no , I didn't buy it .
Ray ComfortDiane and Jeff gave us five chickens and said hope , none of them are roosters . Three of the five were roosters . No way Three of them . And I thought because I said can ham , I'd love to donate roosters to your zoo . He said we'll go to a big lizard and they'll eat them . They sent a picture of the big lizard and I checked around and nobody wants a rooster because the silly things don't know when to stop growing .
Emeal ZwayneYeah , so wait , you had three roosters .
Ray ComfortThree roosters What'd you do with them ? I thought I had to kill them . I did think Did you kill them ? No , hang on , I haven't finished the story . I did feel tempted because of the president of NOAA opening the window of his ark and letting birds out , of just driving the freeway with my windows down , and if the chickens or roosters got out wouldn't be my fault . Then I thought it could cause problems on the freeway and it wouldn't be good for the ministry if I was dragged through court . So we did a search and found this lady in an adjacent city who saves condemned roosters . She's got 200 of them , condemned roosters . Stop it , I'm not kidding . Her name was Deb . She was foul-mouthed when I talked to her on the phone not play on words and she said and I was talking to her , she was , as I said , foul-mouthed . And I said we're going to YouTube channel . You like YouTube ? She's yeah . So she watched Crazy Bible and I got a commentary on the whole movie via text while she was watching it . She got your rooster . No , she hadn't got him yet . I haven't even made an appointment with her . So she watched Crazy Bible and kept texting me how , what was going on in it and we made an appointment . Went there yesterday , sue and I , with our three chickens and a box in the car , and it turned out her assistant watches our YouTube channel and she's got an evidence by .
Emeal ZwayneNo way , no way .
Ray ComfortAnd so I got to witness to her on camera , with all chickens or roosters in the background crawling through the whole thing .
Emeal ZwayneAre we going to have to bleep 90% of the interview ?
Ray ComfortNo , no , it's fine . She didn't cuss at all and ended up praying with her and gave her an evidence Bible and all ended up happy . That's amazing , but the whole Her sanctuary really is like the kingdom of God .
Emeal ZwayneWe have neighbors .
Ray ComfortWhat's that ? I haven't finished the analogy . Oh , go ahead . Her rooster sanctuary is like the kingdom of God . We were proud roosters crowing our own righteousness , condemned to the chopping block that the Lord took us under the shadow of his wings .
Emeal ZwayneAmen , wait , but does she have neighbors ?
Ray ComfortYeah Well , it's in an area that's .
Emeal ZwayneIt's like 200 roosters every morning it's in an area .
Ray ComfortI mean , she doesn't have a lamb clock either .
Oscar NavarroShe has 200 of them .
Ray ComfortYeah , 200 lamb clocks . Why did she can cross the road To get to the other side . I just made that up Because , anyway , I was able , in the witnessing session , to talk about one . Rooster was honored in scripture where it had the job of awakening Peter to his father . So roosters are good because they like our conscience when they speak to us . We should listen to them and wake up and awaken to righteousness . So you abandoned your roosters Ray .
Emeal ZwayneOh yeah , well it was either the chopping block .
Ray ComfortWe were happy to give them away because I thought one of you guys would have to kill them .
Emeal ZwayneDid you take them ?
Ray ComfortDid you take them to her In a box ? Wow , did they taste like chicken ? Yeah , they were really pretty bird . Seriously , they're nicer looking than the average chicken , but they were still yet small , right ? No , no , five months , which is like 19 , 20 weeks . They should have crowed earlier than what they did . They didn't recognize them as roosters before this . They can't until they grow up . That's why Jeff and Diane said we hope they're not roosters , but three of them out of five Right Roosters .
Emeal ZwayneCock-a-doodle-doo . All right friends . Here's a comment from EJJDHDJWKSJFI ABCDELG . I love this Creative parents . I love this , but have one question how do you spell his name ? Ez , yz , yz , yz , yze , l-o-l . It would be great if you could tell us how to spell it . Also , my name's Ethan . This podcast is awesome . It Spell L-O-L ? Ez . Don't forget the dots , because then it becomes as , which is what my substitute teacher called me as Junior Hein . I hated it , yeah . As Bob , as Don't tell us what you hate ?
Oscar NavarroEZ . Oh , you're right , I shouldn't Speaking of our listeners , making us amazing jam and leaving comments . I was talking to somebody the other day , a faithful Christian working for a secular company that makes calendars , and they got fired recently for taking a day off .
Ray ComfortYou held it to the podcast , Well you just did that pre-podcast , Good boy . Oscar Taking a day off that was good .
Emeal ZwayneThese are good ones . Oscar . I'm going to source for these dad jokes . All right , friends . You said dad jokes , dad jokes . All right , friends , this podcast is brought to you by . Let them Hear Moses . Do you guys like that new voice ? It's very good . Let them hear Moses looking to Moses to point people to Jesus .
Ray ComfortThis is going to be . It sounds like one of the TBNs To Jesus .
Emeal ZwayneRay Cumberland is here with us today . Yeah , this is going to be fitting today , friends , especially because of the topic we're dealing with , which you'll hear about in a moment . Don't forget the Living Waters mug and the evidence study Bible , all at LivingWaterscom . All right . What does it really mean to take God's name in vain ? I'm glad we're dealing with this , guys , because let me just say this at the outset I have been perplexed and somewhat shocked and deeply grieved by how often I've heard professing Christians and I do have to say , some legitimate Christians use God's name in vain . No-transcript . It happened recently and in fact it was the name of Jesus and this was . This was not like a person who's disconnected from the church , like this person knows and loves the Lord . Why did Mark do it ? That's why we're having this podcast today , for a true how do you ?
Oscar Navarrojust because you're bringing it up . What do you do in that situation ? Did you ? How did you ?
Emeal ZwayneYeah , and how you responded . Well , but this was a context where it I couldn't say anything at that moment . But it has happened . I mean rain , I there was one time we were out to lunch with someone again , a notable respect of Christian person who's in leadership and and they kept blaspheming the Lord's name and we talked to them , you know , and I'm trying to figure out what that dynamic is . What's behind that Is it ? Is it just they don't know , they don't realize . I'm saying these people love the Lord , they're serving the Lord , they're preaching the gospel , they're living , they know Christ , they're born again , but uh , but , but it happens . Um , we'll , we'll visit that a little more as the program progresses . But , ray , that blasphemy is serious and it's abundant . You often talk about how Not Not many other names are used in blasphemy .
Ray ComfortNot many , I can't think of any . You know , uh , uh , the name of Jesus is used in blasphemy , the name of Jesus Christ . When you want it to even stronger , and if you want it to be even stronger , you throw a cuss word in between Jesus and Christ . No , and it's just horrific . And they don't even think . Why are you doing that ? No , why don't ? Why don't you take the name of an evil person and use it as a cuss word , but you take the name that's been given above all names . The Bible says God has honored Jesus with a name above all names , and you take it and use it in place of a cuss word . You know , dennis Prager is a very nice guy . I've been on his radio program a number of times . It was called religion on the line back in the early 1990s . Dennis Prager , dennis Prager , yeah , and a lot of Christians Listen to what he says . He's not a Christian , he's Jewish . He doesn't quote Jesus when he talks about blasphemy . He doesn't quote Jesus when he talks about adultery . He speaks of adultery and and Christians take notice because he's so eloquent and such a nice guy Um , he says adultery is wrong because it's detrimental to society . That's not why it's wrong . It's wrong because it's wrong in God's eyes . It's to sin against God . David didn't say I have mercy upon me , oh God , because I've done something as detrimental to society . He says I've sinned against you . And Nathan , when he said you've sinned , you've sinned against God . So , and it's the same with blasphemy . He says the greatest sin is To live in hypocrisy and it won't be forgiven . And that's what the third commandment addresses you should not take the name of the Lord , your God , in vain . That doesn't mean to use God's name as a curse word . And he does it and he makes light of it . Yeah , and he tells Christians it's not blasphemy to say hit your thumb with a hammer and say the name of Jesus or God or whatever . And Christians take notice of what he says . And he says that sin , living in apocrisy , will not be forgiven . It says it in the third commandment . The law will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain . Jesus forgave blasphemous . Paul was a blasphemer , he was forgiven and we're forgiven in Christ . But Dennis Prager doesn't mention that , but he's . He had a lot of people quoting Christians , quoting Dennis Prager and saying Ray , you've got it wrong . Using God's name and vain is not using this curse word . It's living a life of apocrisy and discrediting God's name . And they've got that , it seems , from Dennis Prager .
Emeal ZwayneYeah , and I want to explore that together and look at all facets of of that . But Dennis Prager isn't he the one that that was saying pornography Isn't isn't wrong , Was it ?
Mark Spencehim . Mark it was . Yeah , he was being interviewed by somebody and I think he was a Catholic guy that was talking to him . Pines of Aquinas , I think , was the guy that was talking to him . Tony's Aquinas Podcast . I could be off on who he was actually talking to , but he but he did say that and the guy stood firm and just said you are way off . Oh good terribly .
Emeal ZwayneYeah , that's really bizarre . Yeah , you know . On that note , guys , I want to get your thoughts on this . Do you guys sense like there's this emerging trend where Christians are just like Almost fully accepting as though they were Christians in terms of the way they quote them and follow them , those that are friendly toward Christianity , though they're not believers like like Dennis Prager , like maybe .
Ray ComfortJordan .
Emeal ZwaynePeterson , yeah , jordan Peterson . Uh , his name is capes .
Oscar NavarroAll right , our other Jewish friend with the where they are , guys , I don't know where , guys with Ben Shapiro , of course .
Do you guys see that happening ? Yes , yeah , it's because they're eloquent .
Mark SpenceIt's disturbing . I mean , patriotism and nationalism has Replaced Christianity in the Bible and we're listening to commentary that is Unscriptural because we're fed up with what's happening inside of our country .
Emeal ZwayneYeah , yeah , and again , obviously there's nothing wrong with listening to new sources and you know and and appreciating things you can Glean , but it's drifted into almost like oh , they know , god , right , you know like , oh they're , they must be and each of those guys is really likable very .
Oscar NavarroYeah , I like the way mark just said it , though I think that it's really and I know this isn't exactly the topic of the podcast . But just to reiterate what he just said , I think oftentimes we don't understand , we cannot distinguish the difference Between our patriotism , our nationalism , our positions on politics . We don't know the difference between that , in our faith , right , and certainly they overlap to a degree . But if you can't distinguish the difference , that's a problem , and I think a lot of people who quote those guys , who fervently follow those guys , often fall into that category .
Emeal ZwayneYeah , and and friends , I just want to encourage you to be careful again . Understand me clearly . I'm not saying there's anything wrong with listening those guys . They have a lot of positive stuff to contribute . But be careful that that you don't take what they say like scripture .
Oscar NavarroYou will set positive things . Oprah yeah .
Ray ComfortAt some one blesses the man who walks , not in the council of the ungodly yeah , amen , yeah amen , especially when it comes to something like that .
Mark SpenceSo all right , friends , so exodus sorry good .
Emeal ZwayneExodus 20 , verse 7 . 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 . And so what I wanted to do , I'll let you chime in , oscar , but you know , unless you were going in that direction . But you could say what you're gonna say and we can go into this . But I want to talk about first of all , the name of god . What does that mean ? What does that represent ? What are we talking about ? Okay , the name of god . What's a big deal ? It's a big deal , and we'll get into that .
Oscar NavarroBut , oscar , Let me jump on that real quick . In the sense that gods One . I think we look to the old testament and we look to Jewish tradition to be able to understand the way they viewed god's name . And , uh , there should be something to be said about the fact that they wouldn't even speak god's name in public because of the Great honor that it held . They wouldn't write the fullness of the name of god , they would use initials , and so there was something honoring , glorifying , good About that name . And I think in our day we lose a sense of that . Our first names , you know , get thrown away this , that and the other and we don't really think much of them . Our last names Sometimes hold a kind of honor . Certainly , in antiquity , the last name held great honor of somebody , the last theme , your last name , you would stand up for it . I actually think that we do get a sense of blasphemy , because it's kind of funny . You know people , uh , if you blaspheme the name of their favorite politician , you blaspheme the name of their favorite celebrity . Wouldn't you say blaspheme , even speak , speak ill of speak , ill of right ? Uh , they will come to the defense very quickly , right ? You cannot Question the name of people that they would honor very well . And yet often , when people blaspheme the name of jesus , using it as a cuss word , they they think it's much to do about nothing . And that's actually one of the points that I wanted to make is that the few times that I've I've heard somebody do that and I and I will remind them Of god's word on this subject often the first response is something to the effect of oh . When I say like I'm not really meaning anything by it . No , and I point them to the reality of what the scripture says to blaspheme , to take the lord's name in vein , vein is empty , fervorless , insincere , pointless . In other words , when you say no , it doesn't mean anything . That's the point exactly . It doesn't mean anything when it comes out of your mouth .
Mark SpenceIt should mean Something when you speak the lord's name you know , I was looking up the different meticulous writing procedures that scribes would go through Before they would write or copy Different texts and I found this a couple of them to be interesting before writing the name of god , a scribe must reverently Wipe his pen and say I am writing the name of god for the holiness of his name . And then some scribes , after they would write the name and to your , they would leave out , uh , you know the , the vows . We don't know exactly right what it would it be , but after they were done writing what they would perceive to be the name of god , they would then go and cleanse themselves and then come back and continue to write . Wow .
Ray ComfortThat was a 40 day cleansing .
Mark SpenceTook a long time can be yeah , and and again it's .
Emeal ZwayneIt speaks to the fact that god's name is . I mean seriously , I , I , I have this deep sense of , of just awe right now and a bit of A terror as I , as I talk about the name of god almighty , you think of the things that we're in awe of as human beings . You know , we peer into what appears to us to be endless space , you know , and we try to wrap our our heads around it . We talk about the billions of galaxies , the billions of stars in each galaxy , and we just , we're , we're breathless at that . And you think of the God , who , who spoke all of that , and no existence whom heaven and the heaven of heavens can't contain , who spans the universe with his hand . And you get guys like Dennis Prager and others , just so ignorant , to say , oh yeah , it doesn't matter , you could do it . That's not what it are . You kidding me ? You're trying to tell me that , oh yeah , don't live this way , which of course it involves how you live and we'll get into that but you , you mean to tell me that God doesn't care when you take his holy name , but the then effable , splendid , like majestic God of the universe , and just throw it around like it means nothing in the midst of of profanity .
Mark SpenceIt's just , it's insanity to me yeah , movies were not like
this . You know , we we back in the in the time . What is it the ?
Ray Comfortthe uh hey movie ran out at half time and during the movie and said that blaspheme time changer , time changer blaspheme .
Emeal Zwaynethe name of the Lord , stop this .
Ray ComfortYes , the guy was taken from what the 1930s and brought up , you know , from the 1800s , 1800s , 1700s brought up 1600s , 1300s , 1300s , 1200s sold to the man in the back . And he found himself in a movie theater enjoying a story and suddenly the name of God was blaspheme and he ran out of the theater into the lobby screaming they blaspheme the name of God . And it was very moving .
Emeal ZwayneYeah , it was like , I mean that's in a movie .
Ray ComfortYeah , it's called time changer . Yeah , it's a Christian movie , it's a Christian movie .
Emeal ZwayneOh , that makes sense and and really what the point that was being made was . You know this , this would have been shocking in those days , Like it's kind of like someone just murdered this person . I mean , that's like the degree that it was at like do something about it , and it's almost in a small degree .
Ray ComfortWe get that feeling when someone blasphemes the name of Jesus . It's just like a horror beyond words . What are you ?
Emeal Zwaynedoing Right . And look , god showed the severity of this at level , because 24 , 16 , and whoever blasphemes the name of the Lord shall surely be put to death . All the congregation shall certainly stone him , the strangers as well as him who was born in the land . When he blasphemes the name of the Lord , he shall be put to death . I mean , this was not some light thing .
Ray ComfortAnd and so Blessed , when he's mentioned 55 times in the New Testament . Yeah , so it's . It's obviously a big issue .
Emeal ZwayneYeah , for sure , Mark . Let's talk about the name of God . Like when we say the name of God , what does that represent ?
Mark SpenceI think , dealing with anything with God , the character of God , anything that represents God in any way she performed . This is what Ligon Duncan said in in essence to what you're asking here . He said to take up God's name in vain means any frivolous or insincere or thoughtless or unsubstantial use of his name . It might mean irreverent humor which mocks God in speech or mocks others with his name . It might be blasphemy or cursing or a broken oath , but it means more than that . It could mean professing faith in Christ and claiming to be a Christian and receiving baptism and yet walking in worldliness . So we know from this , really , that blasphemy is so much more than just using God's name . I mean , even a mute could use God's name in vain through actions , through anordinate affection or ideas and thoughts about God himself . It's attributing anything other than absolute , perfect holiness to the Holy One .
Emeal ZwayneYeah , and this is because we bear God's name right as Christians . We are His people , we represent Him to the world . And so , of course , and again , it's important to understand that , yes , it's two-sided , there is that . We're going to talk about it , but make no mistake about it . Using the name of the Lord flippantly , using the name of the Lord like it's a common word , that means nothing , is blasphemy . It's the violation of God's commandment . You have to understand that . And oh , I didn't use , I didn't say you know God's name . I didn't say Yahweh or Jehovah , I just said God . And so what's it ? Okay , which God ? Well , any God . Okay , so you're summoning the names of false deities . Like , what do you mean ? You know ?
Ray ComfortSo often I hear people say God is not His name , so it's not blasphemy . You're wrong , right and just continually . But if I speak ill of the governor of our state without mentioning His name , I'm speaking ill of the governor without mentioning His name because governor and Newsom are synonymous .
Emeal ZwayneYeah , and my question is why would you even want to do that ? Why , Like , is it that hard to say ? I'm not even going there ? Let's say you assume you're definitely , you know , you think you're really right . Well , if there's even the slightest chance you're wrong , Like just from that perspective , that's not why you shouldn't do it . But just think about it . Yeah .
Mark SpenceYou know , and people that use euphysm right With OAM GOS yes .
Ray ComfortG's G's is the euphemism for . Jesus , it's from the 1900s .
Emeal ZwayneYeah , and friends , look , some people may take this as come on , you're going overboard , you're extreme , whatever . Yeah , yeah , fine , whatever . We want to go the extra mile to guard ourselves from dishonoring our Lord in any way , shape or form as far as it relates to the way that we live . This is powerful . Proverbs 37 through 9 says two things I request of you deprive me not before I die . Remove falsehood and lies far from me . Give me neither poverty nor riches . Feed me with the food allotted to me lest I be full and deny you and say who is the Lord , or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God . Well , so that's where blasphemy , too , would relate to the way that we live . And , oscar , there's a lot of that going on , yeah absolutely .
Oscar NavarroI'm glad we're going there as well , because , honestly , I mean , it's so easy for me to look to other people and be like , oh , that guy's using the Lord's name in vain , he needs to repent . But I think that the scriptures , as usual , go to a point where I then needed to turn to myself and recognize the areas of which I need to repent . And you bring up a great verse I'm thinking of Numbers , chapter six , in which it's a benediction . It says the Lord bless you and keep you . The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you . The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace . And then it says and it's talking to the priests here so shall they , the priests , put my name upon the people of Israel and I will bless them . The name of the Lord is then put upon God's people . And in Romans 6 it says don't you know the meaning of your baptism ? Don't you know that the name of Christ was placed on you ? And so I think about that like , let me just turn . Let me turn the law upon myself for a minute here . And I think about , like all the times I go to work and I don't think of the name of the Lord . I think about all the times I have conversations about politics and I get caught up in the anxious age and I don't think about the name of the Lord . I think about all the times I come to a disagreement and I'm not considering the name of the Lord as placed upon me . I need to come to a place of repentance as well . We need to come to a place of repentance because our actions can blaspheme the name of the Lord along with our words . That's a yes , and yeah .
Ray ComfortSo Paul in Romans , chapter 2 , speaks to the Jews . He said because of your hypocrisy , the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles , because of you , and so by living in hypocrisy we can cause . You know , that guy calls himself a Christian and he does this and that , and then they blaspheme God's name , counted as worthless because it's not worth living for .
Emeal ZwayneYeah , you know , I wonder if there was a distinctly noticeable mark upon us where everybody knew that we were a Christian . You know , like there was some kind of mark on our forehead On seven .
Ray Comfortseven on the forehead .
Emeal ZwayneYeah , that raised first tattoo is coming .
Oscar NavarroThis is the true confession . This is the reason why I don't put Christian bumper stickers in the back of my car .
Ray ComfortNo , we're talking about the forehead , not the car .
Emeal ZwayneNo , but seriously though I mean because I was thinking about it in this , in this vein , if a police officer was off duty but still wearing his uniform , you can be sure that he's going to behave differently in public . Then he would if he wasn't wearing that uniform . You know , or whatever you know , if you can relate it , a military officer or whatever . They're representing something greater in themselves , it would affect their behavior . I think for us as Christians , oftentimes , because there isn't as distinguishing mark on us , it's easy for us to forget we represent the name of God . I think the To be in situations where we're not like thinking like you're talking about Oscar , saying like I forget , you know , I forget I bear God's name , and we need to think about that . Whether people see us or not , we're the light of the world .
Oscar NavarroI think that through our actions and our decisions we do , we should bear the name of the Lord . You know I think about . I used to work with a guy who was a professional bodybuilder . He's won a handful of awards , and so when he wasn't weightlifting he was in the financial industry . And it was so interesting to me because every where we went you know we were taking a break together we'd be walking around the hall , hallways , in the office and everywhere we went , everybody wanted to talk to him about fitness , about what he was eating , about their diet , about the last time they worked out , about how much they should be doing this and the other . There was something about this man's disposition that people knew what he was all about . Do you have a great physique ? Oh , he was a monster .
Ray ComfortI get some . I get some of the things , sure yeah .
Oscar NavarroI bet you do . What are you Monster ? And so , in that same way , our life , our lives , our character , our disposition , the way we speak , the way we treat others , people should know there's something different about us and they can't help but wonder . But ask . But see the name of the Lord upon your life , yeah .
Emeal ZwayneWell , we've talked about this before , where one of the most common mantras you'll hear unbelievers say is something to the effect of oh , I know what you Christians are like , you know , or Christians are , the are the worst , this or the worst that you know . Oh , this guy has a fish on his you know logo for his company or whatever , but I see what he does and how he acts . I mean , look , I think of what it says in Ezekiel 36 , 22, . Therefore , say to the house of Israel , thus says the Lord I do not do this for your sake or house of Israel , but for my holy names sake , which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went . Whew , he's telling his people , you've profaned my holy name . How could they profane as holy name ? They're his people , they bear his name , and as they went among the pagans , they were acting like them and dishonoring God . You know , look , mark and I were we're kind of talking about this because we just returned from from a trip abroad . We were in Puerto Rico . I'd speak into the conference there and it was just wonderful for those Puerto Rican brothers and sisters listening . We love you all and we're just touched by your love for the Lord , and how many people there love the ministry ?
Ray ComfortYou got over 800 people showed up .
Emeal ZwayneYeah , it was amazing . It was in the largest church in the south of Puerto Rico and they were so just , welcoming , hospitable and have a passion for the lost . But Mark and I were traveling , we were in the airport . We were treated very poorly by one of the ladies at the desk there at the airlines . No yeah , I can't even believe it . Shocking , and you know I don't do well . What was her name ? You know , Gisabel . I think I don't do well in those situations . I mean , one of my biggest struggles in life is rude at people , Whatever anyway so . And this lady was very rude and I mean honestly it was ridiculous . I'm not going to get into the circumstances , but Mark and I held our peace , we gave you know , left them with a tract and stuff and and we walked away . And we're talking about this . I'm thinking , man , you know I can get upset in the moment . I could say something rude , I could , and again , that's my past right . I have a sharp tongue and I don't do well with . Yes , look With people . Support that can get through a story . But , man , we have to think we represent the name of the Lord and I it was . It was an itch , right , and the temptation is to scratch that itch by saying something cutting and harsh and whatever . But okay , I do that and what ? What happens ? I walk away with this person not getting the gospel Forget . Whether they know I'm a Christian or not , this means I , obviously I , I shouldn't give them a tract after that point . Right , I mean how terrible . But okay , so I withhold the gospel from someone . What , if ? What if she looks me up and recognizes that I'm in ministry , I'm a Christian or whatever , to dishonor the name of the Lord ? For for my my , you know , frustrations , we have to be careful , so I give the testimony .
Ray ComfortShe obviously knew she was being rude and you were kind back to her and that might cut her to the heart . She just don't know .
Emeal ZwayneYeah , and that's the hope . You know , I remember one time being treated horribly at a fast food place and I wouldn't put ketchup on . They put onions in my food and I gave . I gave the . I think it was a . Was it a subway or something anywhere ? But that was your first mistake . Yeah , I gave them like a 20, . I just said , hey , this is for you , it was 20 bucks . And they just stood there like dumbfounded because they knew they were being . It wasn't like one of those . They . They weren't intentionally being rude , you know . And so we have to think about that , because we represent in the name of the Lord , have you let's ?
Mark Spencelet's explore this a little bit . I mean , when we talk about not honoring God , is it possible and I'm throwing this question out there because I don't have it figured out right Is it possible to blaspheme God by not sharing the gospel with people ? And what I mean by that is this that we are given an opportunity to share the gospel , we don't share the gospel with them ? And , in essence , through our actions , we're saying God , I'm okay with you damning that person to hell . God , condemn them . I can't even put the word dam in the midst of that right . God condemn them to hell , I'm okay with it . Just just a weird word picture association with that when we don't share the gospel through knowing what we need to do , whether it's handing the tracker , engaging inside of a word Boy , what a , what a
weird twist . I mean , what are you guys' thoughts on that ? Is that over stretching , over thinking ?
Emeal ZwayneWell , you know what I think , mark . It's a good thing to explore and to think on . I don't know if I have a fully clear answer . I could just say that it's tragic , no question , you know , and I think about that , you know , and I'm about to leave a person that I'd spent a good amount of time with , that I didn't know , or on in whatever situation , to leave that and to think I'm a representative of God , I'm an ambassador for Jesus Christ , I know the way of salvation . This person is on their way to hell . How could I not ?
Mark SpenceIs there anything more selfish ?
Emeal ZwayneIt really it is , and and may God quicken us .
Ray ComfortWe're going to go to the pendulum quote in a minute .
Oscar NavarroYeah , yeah , seriously , what is that ?
Emeal ZwayneRay .
Ray ComfortI can't remember .
Emeal ZwayneYeah , yeah . Well , I'll share it . You know , penn Gillette for those of you that don't know is a world renowned atheist and he's a guy that makes the shaving cream . And he did a video one day that was really famous , where he talked about how this man came up to him after one of his performances Again , he's a magician and gave him a Bible and he went on about this guy's demeanor and his kindness and his sincerity and then he said look , and Penn Gillette's an atheist , a renowned atheist . He would tear Bibles up , he would blaspheme God to no end with mock Christian spirit , and he talked about how much he admired this man . And then he said I don't respect anyone who believes in heaven and in hell , that these are real , that someone can go to hell or avoid heaven and not tell people how they can be saved . He said I have no respect for that , for people who don't proselytize or who don't evangelize . And he said how much do you have to hate someone ? He said if there's a truck coming on someone , it's bearing down , it's about to hit them and you see them there , there comes a point where you tackle that person , that's . And he said these words that's how important it is An atheist saying he has no respect for Christians who claim to believe what they believe and don't share their knowledge .
Ray ComfortAnd then we discovered that the Bible he was given was an evidence Bible , and the whole story is in a movie called the Fool .
Emeal ZwayneYeah , by someone who follows our mystery . And then Ray got to tell Pendulette that story on the streets of DC and he said , penn , I'm tackling you now . Penn goes , huh , and Ray reminded him of what he shared about the vehicle coming . And he goes , okay , and then he takes off across the street . We hear the screeching of tires . I was there , I witnessed . We look up , we see Penn and his friend penned against a bus that was in front of them and they had nowhere to go because the car was coming . And he later said on that program , remember that the car hit his friend's pant leg . That's how close it was .
Mark SpenceRight after Ray reiterated that illustration for him it's quite amazing yeah so the patience of God , yeah we're talking about blasphemy and I read a quote by Spurgeon .
Ray ComfortI had to read it twice to figure what he was saying Typical Spurgeon . But he said you guys will hear it once and know what he said . He said the ungodly are not half so restrained in their blasphemy as we are in our praise . Wow , isn't that powerful . And you listen to it Can you say it again , the ungodly are not half so restrained in their blasphemy as we are in our praise . Wow , and it's so true because so many people have talked to it . Do you ever use God's name ? I mean all the time .
Oscar NavarroYeah .
Ray ComfortIt's like they've got a zeal to blaspheme God's name , and you know , the scriptures say that we're enemies of God in our mind through wicked works . What greater evidence that we're enemies of God than that we use his holy name as a caskwood when he gave us life ?
Emeal ZwayneYeah , it's a horror beyond words , mark , it's interesting to me that there's not a pause Like why is it the unbeliever doesn't stop and say why do I do that with Jesus' name ?
Mark SpenceBoy , because they are in darkness . It just flows from their mouth like honey . It is who they are . I follow an Instagram account that I really really like . It's by a woman named Hasty Gomez and biblical and Reformed , if you were to look it up on Instagram . But she tells the story how she went to get her eyebrows done and she had said something to the woman who was doing her eyebrows and the woman responded with Jesus , like that . And Hasty responded back with is Lord , the lady in our eyebrows stopped . She started laughing while nodding and she said yes , yes , yes , I'm sorry , yes . And Then hasty tells the crowd she said bring up his name in my presence and I'll declare that he is Lord .
Ray ComfortWow , I like that actually that's a good idea to be quick-minded Whenever you hear someone boxing to say is Lord so let's sing it together .
Oscar NavarroI had I was playing basketball and a guy on my team he's a Christian and he is a faithful Christian , but he is a new believer I thought I heard him say Jesus after he missed a shot , but I wasn't entirely sure . And then , sure enough , he missed another shot and I heard him say Jesus and as we're running down the Court , I like bumped him and I was like , hey , man , it's not his fault , like it's not his fault , you missed that shot . And later on , after the game , you know , we had a chat and he was like ah , man , you're , you're right .
Ray ComfortHe's amazing how powerful the conscience is when you bring up the morality of using God's name as a customer , almost everybody goes yeah , I know it's wrong . No , there's that intuitive understanding that this is wrong , right , but they don't realize the consequence .
Emeal ZwayneYeah , and and people are gonna give account for every idle word spoken .
Ray ComfortI mean , that's not gonna go .
Emeal ZwayneYeah , and . And you know the thought that scripture tells us out of the abundance of the heart , the mouse speaks . Yeah , you know that's , that's a reality . And and and again . Philippians 2 , 9 to 11 , which talks about Jesus name being above every name . One day , every knee will bound , every tongue will confess that he is Lord .
Ray ComfortGlory of God and Mark was talking about the young lady or the lady he was quoting . He said I really really like and you missed it what I really really like this .
Emeal ZwayneTV show Our buddy Alan from Paris , let me kind of .
Oscar NavarroI think acts 3 gives us a good , a good indication of where the gospel is in the midst of the Lord's name and taking it in vain . And before I go there , let me also kind of reflect back to my early days as a Christian . There was this band singer was an atheist and I used to really enjoy them , gone to their shows . As an atheist , I go to their shows . And who are they ? I don't want to name the name , okay , I don't think it's necessary , but I was a big fan of these guys when I first became a Christian . I would still listen to their music , knowing how he would blaspheme the name of the Lord . Beyond that , I mean hit . The words were just so blatantly anti-Christian , anti-jesus , and in my mind at that time I was trying to rationalize and I was wrong . I was trying to rationalize . In my mind I was like , well , you know , I'm listening because the drummer and his time signature changes are so good , there's so much talent here . I'm listening for that and not for the lyrics . And one day I'm in my car as a new believer I think I'm headed the church and I've got this is CDs back in the day . For those who don't know what it is , google it . I saw I'm listening to the CD and it and I kind of this like aha moment came upon me . And the aha moment was like I love my mom and I love my grandma . And if anybody out there ever wrote a song Like be littling my mother or be littling my grandma , there was no way I'd put it on and be like , oh , but man , they're really talented . It would be so offensive to me and I hit the eject button and like have never put that .
Emeal ZwayneCD back in , never listened . I appreciate you Well yeah , oh sorry .
Oscar NavarroAnd just to circle back to the gospel in acts three , there's this moment where Peter and John meet this crippled beggar outside the temple and Peter says to him acts three , verse six I have no silver and gold , but what I do have I give to you In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth . Rise up and walk . And after that moment , after that healing , the crowds get Furious . They're angry at this healing . And Peter says to them why do you stare at us ? As though our own power , piety , we have made him walk by faith in the name of Jesus . This man was made strong later on , in verse 12 . He says there is Salvation in no one else , for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we Must be saved . It is in the name of Jesus that we are forgiven of our blasphemous ways , and it is in the name of Jesus that we can repent from our blasphemous waves for his glory .
Emeal ZwayneSo , my man , yeah , and we cannot forget the way that Christ taught us to pray . Matthew 6 , 9 . Our father , who is in heaven , hallowed be your name . God's name is holy , and friends , I'd encourage you to do a study on all the different names that God used to refer to himself . I mean , they're amazing names . You know all throughout the word . We don't have time to get into them here , but now time is up . I had them listed , but but just beautiful names that describe God's nature and God's character . You know El Shaddai , god Almighty , elohim the creator , emmanuel . You know Jesus name . God with us On and on all that .
Oscar NavarroYou know the Jehovah I don't remember where on and on is .
Emeal ZwayneYou've never heard that one , oh yeah from the land of on he's , he's always going on and on . Jehovah Nisi , the Lord , our banner , the Jehovah Rafa , the Lord , our healer , jehovah Rohe , the Lord , our shepherd , and on and on . Study the names of God , study the character and the nature of your God , and don't ever use his name in vain , verbally or through your life . He's worthy of the honor that he deserves . Amen , amen , all right friends . Uh , we are done . You're
raising your hand right .
Ray ComfortYes , uh , wayne's wonderful daughter , who interviewed me yesterday for a podcast , said that she just gets so Disappointed when you go serious at the end and don't go silly .
Emeal ZwayneShe looks forward to I know , sometimes it's just not appropriate . Right , we said that , yeah , but friends , don't forget , let them hear . Moses Is looking to Moses to point people to Jesus . Don't forget the living waters , monk . They're in the study bible , all living waters calm , and please don't forget to podcast the living waters calm with your thoughts and your comments and your discrimination against Ray , mark and Oscar and I remember , friends , the ratings and all that good stuff still at five stars , uh , with millions of downloads Because of you . Thank you for joining us , friends . We'll see you here next time on the living waters podcast the ultimate cure for insomnia . We should get some real snoring , we should .