Chapter Five – The Third Commandment — “You Shall Not Take the Name of the Lord in Vain…”

Next Part The Real Importance of God’s Name

God was now ready to give the THIRD COMMANDMENT: “YOU SHALL NOT TAKE THE NAME OF THE LORD YOUR GOD IN VAIN; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that takes His name in vain” (Ex. 20:7).

There is much, much more to the Third Commandment than meets the eye. When taken strictly at face value, it would seem that God is merely forbidding the speaking of His name in a careless or disrespectful manner. But there are considerably more implications within this command. They weigh heavily upon anyone who is serious about obeying the Third Commandment. When God declares, “…for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that takes His name in vain”, we should be afraid to take this subject lightly.

The Third Commandment is tied directly to the first two. It describes the careful reverence with which God wants His name to be used at all times. The meaning of this commandment is that when people even reference the true God, they should be very careful how they do it (Psa. 111:9). They should think about the purpose—the reason—for which they mention His most holy name.

The Weight of Words

God places a great deal of importance on what we say. This is not something to be taken lightly. Christ said, in Matthew 12:36-37, “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned.” And Colossians 4:6 states, “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt.” The words we speak affect others, positively or negatively, and one day we will have to answer for what we say.

Are you prepared for that? Perhaps a better question would be, “are you preparing for that?”

Words have an impact on those who hear them. The book of Proverbs contains many vital instructions concerning what we say. In Prov 17:28, Solomon was inspired to write, “Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is counted wise: and he that shuts his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.”

Proverbs 15:4 states, “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.” And chapter 10 states, “The mouth of the just brings forth wisdom: but the forward tongue shall be cut out. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaks forwardness [perversity]” (Prov 10:31-32). A person’s righteousness, or lack thereof, is reflected in his conversation. Christ stated in Matthew 12:34, “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”

Do your words reflect righteousness? Do you show love toward God and neighbour when you speak? When seeking to comply with this commandment, one must make a conscientious effort to speak words that reflect reverence toward God and genuine concern toward other people, and this includes how they are hearing you reference and honour God.

What Does It Mean?

People generally associate taking God’s name in vain with obscene language. This is a correct view, but only part of the meaning. God has revealed His many names to all who carefully examine the scriptures. These names define who He is, and God expects His people to revere Him and all His attributes. When a person uses the name of God in a way that denies His true meaning and character, he is breaking the Third Commandment. In this day and age, people like to talk about God, but they are not in awe of His power or His name.

What about you? Are your words uplifting to others? Do you ever find yourself using God’s name carelessly in conversation? Are you unwittingly using euphemisms, which may seem less offensive and even harmless?

A euphemism is often merely a substitute for profanity. It is, however, no less offensive, and considered just as serious, to God. Remember, we must obey God in the spirit of the law, and not just the letter. “Who also has made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter kills, but the spirit gives life” (II Cor. 3:6).

If a person uses euphemisms—and there are a near infinite number common today—he is merely trying to “soften the blow” of the more abrasive words that go through his mind, either consciously or subconsciously. Christ said, “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart [mind]; and they defile the man” (Matt. 15:18). As the saying goes, “It is the thought that counts.” Our thoughts can count for us—or against us!

Are Your Words “Apples of Gold”?

A Christian follows Christ’s example. I Peter 2:21 states, “For even hereunto were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.”

One example that Christ left us is that of controlling His tongue. Continuing in I Pe 2:22-23: “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth: Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judges righteously.”

The ultimate goal of a Christian is to become like Christ, “the Author and Finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:2). We are exhorted to “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5).

Are you letting Christ live in you? Christ stated that a person will be known “by [his] fruits [what he does and says]” (Matt. 7:16-20). Are you learning to control your tongue?

Solomon was inspired to write, in Proverbs 25:11, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver” (NKJV). When you speak, do your words set “golden apples on a silver platter”—that is, do your words reflect careful forethought with the intent to uplift and edify others? Or do the words you use open a tomb full of poisonous asps (Rom. 3:13)?

With the many pressures we face today, it is easy to let areas such as habitual wrong use of language go un-addressed, especially if we feel such matters are not as important as others. But to God, sin is sin. We may try to “sugar-coat” foul language, but Galatians 6:7 states, “God is not mocked.”