“Therefore God exalted [Jesus] to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is LORD, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11)
“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise — the fruit of lips that confess his name.” (Hebrews 13:15)
“…so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:11b)
I was jolted the other day when a woman beside me in a crowded room said to someone else, “JE-sus Christ, that must’ve been rough!" No, it certainly wasn’t the first time I’ve heard my Savior’s name spoken in vain. But for some reason it struck me just how nonchalantly the words rolled off her tongue. Because of the circumstances, I didn’t get the opportunity to say, “Hey, excuse me, but that name you just said — Jesus Christ? — is much more than a curse word, you know, and I’d love the chance to tell you what it means to me.” In that moment I could only do what a friend once told me he did whenever he heard Jesus’ name spoken as a cuss: I said, quietly, “Be praised.” It didn’t take away the sting of hearing the name of One so dear to me used in such a casual and derisive manner. (Imagine if you overheard someone speaking your child’s or spouse’s or mom’s name in the same way.) But it did provide an opportunity to lift up the name that is above every name — the name before which, eventually, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that He is LORD.
Jesus Christ…be praised. I will keep your glorious name on my lips today. My tongue will freely confess that you are LORD — my LORD — and I will speak of the glory and power that is due Your matchless name. Amen.
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Corrie Marvin of the Maryland Farms YMCA adds this helpful thought to this topic:
I used to struggle with this – ALWAYS correcting my grandmother…it did not help! And then one day one of my friends said “Corrie, God does not need us to defend Him, he is quite capable of that – he needs us to PRAY for that person…” and that was so wise! So now, when I hear things like you did, instead of becoming offended, I pray…that they come to know Christ. Maybe this will help you when you feel the urge to attack. Silence that evil with good!
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