Struck a Vain
Some don't quite understand why we're so picky about keeping the third of the Ten Commandments. "Don't take the name of the Lord in vain." It seems so harmless at times, as when we're startled and say, "Oh, God!, or when we're mildly surprised and say, "My God!" Wouldn't it bother you, if someone called out your own name, excitedly and with a raised voice, and when you came running, you'd find that they didn't really mean to bother you at all? And then they did it time and time again!
We know it is wrong to say things like "God damn you!", as if God were our slave and we could order Him to condemn someone else. It's certainly wrong to just say, "Jesus Christ!" as a strong word said in anger, without being in prayer at all. I would think it's just as bad to say, "God bless you," when somebody sneezes if you really don't care if God blesses them or not.
God's name is special and holy. God longs to hear us call His name, to speak to Him as friend to friend. It is a good and joyful thing to call out to God at any and all times. Don't cheapen His name by using it in vain.
