A man went down to the local used horse lot to buy a horse. The salesman pointed to one and said, “Here’s a fine filly with low mileage, and only one owner. It was owned by a preacher who only rode it once a week to church.”

“I’ll take it,” said the man.

“Just one thing,” the salesman warned. “When you want this horse to go, instead of saying ‘giddy-up’ say ‘praise the Lord.’ When you want him to stop, say ‘amen.’”

The man purchased the horse and took her for a ride. He was very impressed with the horse’s speed. He rode faster and faster. He suddenly realized that he was heading straight toward the edge of a cliff. The man shouted “whoa” and pulled back on the reins, but the horse didn’t even slow down.

“Whoa, whoa, you dumb animal!” he shouted to no avail. He was within feet of the edge of the cliff when he remembered the correct command. “Amen,” the man said firmly. The horse stopped just inches away from the edge.

From up in the saddle, the man looked over the edge at the hundred-foot drop. Knowing how close he was to death, he wiped his brow and let out a hearty “Praise the Lord!”



The man in the story definitely wasn’t thinking when he uttered those words. Many times, we say things without thinking. Most Christians would say that we would never take God’s name in vain. Most of us think of taking God’s name in vain, as in uttering those curse words which are all too prevalent in today’s society. But how many times have we used the term “Oh, God” as a mere exclamation, or worse yet, to signify our displeasure about something. We should think before we speak, and only use God’s name in a manner that is truly glorifying to Him, otherwise, we’ve used it in vain.

Exodus 20:7 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.