The Third Commandment

The Third Commandment

“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold guiltless anyone who takes His name in vain.” Exo 20:7 Using God’s name as a curse word, or to invoke an oath, or to validate a statement, or carelessly when we sneeze; whether the name “God” or “Jesus” or any form or part of those names, is a great sin.

“The Lord will not hold him guiltless”

Do you forget an insult? If someone insulted your husband or wife, would you forget it? If they called your children a “name”, how would you feel, what might you do?

Using God’s name is a vain, in a thoughtless or flippant way, or worse, as a curse, is a direct attack on God’s character and person; it is an insult to his person.

“If only You would slay the wicked, O God! O violent men, depart from me. For they speak against You with malice, and Your enemies take your name in vain.” Psa 139:19-20

That aspect of the commandment is pretty straightforward, but there is another aspect, namely saying we are Christians, but not acting like Christians.

“Two things I have required of you; do not deny me them before I die: Remove vanity and lies far from me— give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me; lest I be full, and deny You, and say, “Who is the LORD?” or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.” Pro 30:7-9

In the Army, they would say to you, “You are a United States soldier, son, act like one.”

“ … lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.”

A Christian must act like a Christian, otherwise they are taking the name of Christ to themselves in vain.

“ … that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, pleasing to all, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God,” Col 1:10

“ … that you would walk in a manner worthy of God, who has called you to His kingdom and glory.” 1Th 2:12

We Christians are supposed to walk consistent with our calling. We are to act like Christ. That is why we are called Christian, we act like him. To not act like him, and yet call ourselves Christians, is to act contrary to our calling, it is to take his name in vain.