The Fourth Commandment
By dreamertink
@dfollin (24172)
United States
November 16, 2012 2:19pm CST
As I have had conversations before about my crazy landlord.The other night a neighbor mowed part of our grass and he was mad about it.
and he came inside and my teenage daughter was in the kitchen and he started yelling at her shoke his hand in her face,got in her face and yelled,"Who mowed my G-D lawn?They did it wrong!"Scared her really bad and she ran upstairs crying and telling me what happened.I went down stairs and asked him why he did that and he said,he was angry and that she'll have to get over it!I also asked him why he took the Lords name in vain,and did he broke a commandment.And he yelled at me that not taking the Lords name in vain is not a commandment,but he thinks it is somewhere in the bible.I told him that either way it is still God's word.He said that the bible was just written by all these pastors and ministers,just made up.lol
I researched and found a website that stated that G-d is not taking the Lords name in vain.It is basically saying the same things that are in Psalms where people were asking God to judge their enemies.
What do you think it means?
and he came inside and my teenage daughter was in the kitchen and he started yelling at her shoke his hand in her face,got in her face and yelled,"Who mowed my G-D lawn?They did it wrong!"Scared her really bad and she ran upstairs crying and telling me what happened.I went down stairs and asked him why he did that and he said,he was angry and that she'll have to get over it!I also asked him why he took the Lords name in vain,and did he broke a commandment.And he yelled at me that not taking the Lords name in vain is not a commandment,but he thinks it is somewhere in the bible.I told him that either way it is still God's word.He said that the bible was just written by all these pastors and ministers,just made up.lol
I researched and found a website that stated that G-d is not taking the Lords name in vain.It is basically saying the same things that are in Psalms where people were asking God to judge their enemies.
What do you think it means?7 people like this
15 responses
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
16 Nov 12
I was taught that taking God's name in vain was using God's name as a curse. I've also heard arguments that putting God's name on something God would clearly not be in support of is taking God's name in vain. I believe both are true.
I think it's a knee jerk reaction to say, "Oh my G--" when something goes wrong or you're upset, and I've caught myself doing it multiple times. It's just so casual in our culture, it has lost all of its shock value. So this would be one of those commandments I have trouble with.
2 people like this
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
18 Nov 12
I would agree with lotterylover, most of the time I hear it, it's not in a situation where I think it's calling on God. Sometimes, like in an intense or bad situation, I can see that, but the majority of the time I feel like it's being used as a curse.
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
16 Nov 12
Taking God's name in vain is belittling or blaspheming God. So the land lord was blaspheming God because God is holy and you have to treat His name with reverence. It is in the 2nd commandment. So you can thank God for things going right, or when you get something good unexpected,swear to tell the truth in a courtroom, but you certainly cannot use HIS name in a curse.
Another thing there are many words to use when something goes wrong. Why use God's name that way? God brings good not evil.
2 people like this
@dfollin (24172)
• United States
17 Nov 12
Hi Ricki,This is a townhouse with a living room,half bath and eat in kitchen on the main floor.On the upstairs floor is the master bedroom and full bath(shower)that is mine and the medium bedroom is my daughter's.The smallest bedroom is a young ladies and her cat.Before we moved in I found out that they talked her into paying more money per month(the co owner told her that it was not fair to ask me because I was on social security,so the young lady agreed.But,what she didn't know was that she had already tricked me into paying more)And the young lady also asked me about if I had a problem with her boyfriend spending the night sometimes.So,instead of her and my daughter sharing the other full bath upstairs,my daughter shares mine.In the basement is a huge room with a seperate entrance that is the owners room,there is also a half bath there and a big laundry room that has a washer and dryer that don't work great.
.It is also a utility room and some storage area down there.The cat litter box is down there.When we first looked at the house he said that he was going to put a shower in that half bath,which he has never done.And that he would only come up to use the kitchen and he would keep his shelf food downstairs.He keeps his shelf food down stairs and comes up to get food from the fridge and uses microwave.But,then he started bring his computer and boom box into the living room.He is a slob,makes a mess and makes us so uncomfortable that we just stay in our rooms!
There is not anything I can do about this till I come up with enough money to be able to move again.
.It is also a utility room and some storage area down there.The cat litter box is down there.When we first looked at the house he said that he was going to put a shower in that half bath,which he has never done.And that he would only come up to use the kitchen and he would keep his shelf food downstairs.He keeps his shelf food down stairs and comes up to get food from the fridge and uses microwave.But,then he started bring his computer and boom box into the living room.He is a slob,makes a mess and makes us so uncomfortable that we just stay in our rooms!There is not anything I can do about this till I come up with enough money to be able to move again.
@STOUTjodee (3572)
• United States
16 Nov 12
Sounds like you landlord is disrespectful and ungrateful. 
First, off he shouldn't have cursed in the Lord's name at your daughter or putting his hand in her face. Secondly, he should be grateful that some one mowed his lawn!
So ,in content to what he said and the way he was using it, your landlord was cursing in the Lord's name. I don't like it when people curse in the Lord's name. It also doesn't matter what he thinks about how he used the Lord's name, it's the point that you're teaching your daughter not to curse in the Lord's name!
First, off he shouldn't have cursed in the Lord's name at your daughter or putting his hand in her face. Secondly, he should be grateful that some one mowed his lawn!
So ,in content to what he said and the way he was using it, your landlord was cursing in the Lord's name. I don't like it when people curse in the Lord's name. It also doesn't matter what he thinks about how he used the Lord's name, it's the point that you're teaching your daughter not to curse in the Lord's name!1 person likes this
@dfollin (24172)
• United States
17 Nov 12
Hi STOUTjodee,My landlord is a fool and God knows what he did.He heard him.
@STOUTjodee (3572)
• United States
17 Nov 12
I believe what goes around comes around!
I just hope your daughter doesn't pick up on his bad behavior.
I just hope your daughter doesn't pick up on his bad behavior.1 person likes this
@dfollin (24172)
• United States
17 Nov 12
Oh no,she won't.She is mature enough to see that what he is doing is wrong.
@dfollin (24172)
• United States
17 Nov 12
Hi edvc77, I know other people that say that,but this man a supposably a christian.
@danishcanadian (28953)
• Canada
16 Nov 12
First he needs to be punished for verbally abusing your daughter!
Secondly, he did take God's name in vain.
Not in vain =
"OMG" in the sense that you're inviting God into a conversation, or praying.
In vain =
Blasphemy. God infront of words like "damn" or use of Jesus, Christ, or any combo of G, J, or C to swear, intimidate, or threaten someone.
1 person likes this
@dfollin (24172)
• United States
17 Nov 12
Hi danishcanadian, I got really mad at him for yelling and cussing at her and he told me ,"Well she'll just have to get over it." I agree,"OMG" is not in vain,but saying GD,like he did is in vain.
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
16 Nov 12
How old is your daughter? If she's a young teenager, you, as the parent, are well within your rights to file assault. Just because his lawn was not mowed to his specifications? Maybe he should have been outside mowing the lawn HIS way, instead of verbally assaulting your daughter. I hope she feels better. 
I've always been taught that saying g*dda*mit was taking the Lord's name in vain; I did not know that it what breaking a Commandment. You learn new things every day.
I've always been taught that saying g*dda*mit was taking the Lord's name in vain; I did not know that it what breaking a Commandment. You learn new things every day.1 person likes this
@dfollin (24172)
• United States
17 Nov 12
Hi scorpiobabies, My daughter is 15.I called the police yesterday and asked them about that and was told that it is up to each individual policeman.Therefore if it happens again I can call them,they will send an officer out and the decision will be made by him or her.
@laydee (12798)
• Philippines
17 Nov 12
I think it's the 3rd commandment and not the fourth.
You were right when in understanding that he did break the 3rd commandment. However, these days, people are not so religious and don't even see God as important in their lives - therefore, you cannot debate them on the matter. But he did. You should teach you kids to respect the commandments even if other people don't. We all know that God exists, most are just there to contradict for the sake of contradicting. They expect God to be who they expect Him to be, one can only feel God's love if we allow Him in our lives.
Have a great mylot experience ahead!
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
17 Nov 12
I think that given the description of what took place here, that I'd not be very concerned as to whether or not he took God's name in vain. I'd let God be the judge of that. What would matter more to me would be that he yelled at and upset your daughter. He has no business to come into your place and intimidate her like that and if that were my daughter, I'd be all over him for that. He verbally abused your daughter whether he cursed or not.
@chrystalia (1208)
• Tucson, Arizona
17 Nov 12
Taking the Lord's name in vain actually covers falsely swearing oaths, and any other form of disrespect-- though some groups do NOT include using it as a swear, most do. The most fundamentalist view is that if you pray to Christ, or the Lord, yet do not follows God's Law, you are taking His name in vain.
Whether it is the third or fourth commandment depends on 2 things: which version of the Bible, and whether you are reading Exodus or Deuteronomy, by the way
@veganbliss (3895)
• Adelaide, Australia
16 Nov 12
Whether it's a commandment or not is besides the point. Remember how Jesus cleared this one up in Matthew 5:37?
"Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." (NIV)
The previous verse is also relevent. There's no justification for swearing; he should have appologized & shouldn't need to rely on whether it's in the Bible or not to be a good moral teaching on how to behave. The guy should "grow up"! The lawn can grow back again, but the damage he did that day is more difficult to undo.
But this is all "in hindsight". In a practical sense, we've gotta make sure he doesn't do this again & get away with it. Make a "swear jar", or preferably a "swear tin" & stick the Bible verse on it. Then you can also write on there the verse where Jesus paid his taxes with a coin, convert it to US dollars & insist it be paid! Landlords hate anything that hits them in the hip pocket. Just watch him try to wriggle out of it & be prepared to back your arguments! Oh - and don't leave the jar/tin empty either (fill the tin up with steel washers!) or it implies everyone else is perfect rather than asking for the offender to contribute their share.
All The Best.
1 person likes this
@dfollin (24172)
• United States
17 Nov 12
Hi veganbliss,Thanks for your opinion.However as far as putting out a jar he would be the last person to even put a penny in it.He is a huge tightwad.He walked this house with the back of his shorts ripped out,big time.Till I laughed at him then he finally went and bought another pair,but I doubt he threw the others out.He only has 2 pair of socks and they both have major holes in them.The repairs he does around here are not even done half way,so he can save money.
However as far as putting out a jar he would be the last person to even put a penny in it.He is a huge tightwad.He walked this house with the back of his shorts ripped out,big time.Till I laughed at him then he finally went and bought another pair,but I doubt he threw the others out.He only has 2 pair of socks and they both have major holes in them.The repairs he does around here are not even done half way,so he can save money.
@Gretchen522 (715)
• China
17 Nov 12
Maybe you should move to another place don't stay with this landlord any more, he would brought you unhappy mood at any time.
@xtianadam (62)
• Philippines
17 Nov 12
you should have called the cops on him, so they can pick him up and throw him in jail for intruding into your home
@GardenGerty (157555)
• United States
17 Nov 12
I think in the Bible, people were actually talking to God as the deity. Your landlord was not talking to God, he was talking to your daughter. He was using his expletive as an adjective, to describe his yard. It is totally different. You can find a website that says anything. Your landlord was not calling down curses on the person who mowed his lawn wrong, he was just being a bully to your daughter and to anyone else who was in hearing. He is a mean person and a nut.
