Playing the God card

Recently I posted some words on the bad language used on Face Book. Since then I listened to a sermon from my Pastor and it gave me more to think about.

Exo 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.

Ever use the God card? By that I mean using God 's word to manipulate others to get what you want?

I think about the times I would justify some of my actions by the word of God. Like Adultery, wasn't King David a man after God's heart and he committed adultery. We can incorrectly use the word of God to justify sinful actions.  Or when a parent or minister says to their kids, when they do something bad, how can you do this to me. How will this look for my kids to do such and such. The kids may be in a mess and hurting to boot and we are worried about how we look to others. Christians do not like to think about spiritual abuse, but it happens. I suppose you could have called me a goody two shoes in days gone by. I remember times when I used Church as a crutch to not do some family stuff I should have done but just didn't want to. Blame it on Church, it was an easy way out and it sounded so good, maybe even spiritual. I remember a person that had a scripture reference as part of their legal signature. I won't mention their name, but it would be like me signing a legal Document "Leon Vilhauer, II Cor. 5:8". I don't remember exactly what verse that person used as reference so don't look it up. It impressed some people, wow they must be spiritual.  But where the rubber meets the road, when we want to look spiritual, we probably are not. False humility, I once heard about a guy that tried to show how humble he was by crawling up to the pulpit to preach. Even in Jesus day, the priest would wear scriptures on their clothing. The trouble is God really does see into our hearts and these theatrics don't fool him. We might as well be honest and tell God how it really is.   We may fool people but we will not fool God. I grew up in a legalistic church. We did not go to movies, professional sports games, dances etc. They also taught against strong drink. I know a young man one time raised in this environment. When he was grown, his girlfriend wanted to go to the movies, but he didn't. He said My Dad taught me not to go to the movies, then he went and sat in a tavern all night. I don't think he fooled his girlfriend. He certainly didn't fool God. We cannot clean ourselves up to be good enough for God. It's like someone once said you can't clean a fish until you caught him. God has to do the cleaning of our hearts, after we come to him just as we are. We must open our hearts to him when he knocks on our hearts door. I have played the God card in the past, may I never do it again. God is worthy of honor and respect. God bless. LVZ.