In More Than Just Words

A person can take God’s name in vain by more than just the words he speaks. As the saying goes, “Actions speak louder than words.” Matthew 7:21 states, “‘Not everyone who says unto Me, “Lord, Lord,” shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father in heaven’” (NKJV). And in Matthew 15:8-9, when speaking to the Pharisees, who did not “practice what they preached,” Christ said, “This people draws near unto Me with their mouth, and honour Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me. But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”

These are strong words!

In the end, hypocrisy is the ultimate form of taking God’s name in vain. If one claims to be a Christian, but argues that “the law was nailed to the cross,” then he is taking God’s name in vain in the worst possible way! Christ plainly stated that He did not “come to destroy but to fulfil [the law]” (Matt. 5:17). And in Luke 6:46, He asked, “And why call you Me, Lord, Lord, and DO NOT the things which I say?”

If a person claims to be a Christian, but does not live “by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4), then he is directly breaking the Third Commandment. When someone breaks any of the Ten Commandments, he automatically breaks the Third Commandment. James 2:10 states, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend [stumble] in one point, he is guilty of all.”

Proverbs 30:9 shows that even one who steals food when he is hungry profanes God’s name: “...lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.”

A Christian should constantly examine himself. Paul instructed, “Examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith; prove your own selves” (II Cor. 13:5). Personal examination should include analyzing areas of your life that need improvement. Remember: taking God’s name in vain can be done in actions or words. To measure spiritual growth and character development, we must analyze areas such as misusing language—expletives, euphemisms and other vain phrases that violate the Third Commandment. Realize that one can never break the habit of using foul language unless he abhors anything that can cut him off from God. All sin must be eliminated.

What If…?

We ask again: what if the whole world kept the Third Commandment? The most obvious change would be the end of profanity and the misuse of God’s name. This would include all euphemisms and other vain phrases. Foul language in movies, music and television would disappear. From military drill sergeants to college football coaches, people would find new and better ways to express themselves. Even the wording of legal formalities would be rephrased.

Vain repetitions in “prayers” would stop. Also, there would be no more sermons (or “gospel” music) misusing God’s name while preaching contrary to His truth. False messages about God would no longer be aired on television or radio or posted on the Internet. False Christianity and every brand of false religion would be effectively “muzzled.” God’s name would only be used as taught by His true servants, and with the utmost respect. What a truly different world we have already described, and this is if just the first three commandments were universally observed!