The Third Commandment (No. CB72)

The paper The Ten Commandments No. CB17 is the summary paper which should be reviewed prior to this series on each of the commandments. It includes a general overview of the purpose of God’s Laws and a brief description of each of the commandments.

Introduction

God and His Law have always existed. God is all knowing, all loving and very precise with all things. As we have reviewed in the The Ten Commandments No. CB17, and in the papers on the First and Second Commandments, the ten commandments are grouped into Two Great Commandments.

Matthew 22:36-40: Master, which is the great commandment in the law? ³⁷Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ ³⁸This is the first and great commandment. ³⁹And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets. (RSV)

The first four of the Ten Commandments teach us how to love God with all our being and the next six commandments teach us how to love our neighbor. The third commandment is the third component of the First Great Commandment and will continue to teach us ways in which we show our love for God.

The third commandment is found in Ex 20:7:

Exodus 20:7 "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. (RSV)

Exodus 20:7 Do not misuse my name. I am the LORD your God, and I will punish anyone who misuses my name (CEV)

Meaning of the Third Commandment

First off, there is absolutely nothing wrong with saying the name of God. The Bible has many names/titles for God the Father. Eloah is the name for God. It is a singular word and the plural form is elohim which usually refers to God’s angels or the physical creation when they are acting for God. “El” is used for the One True God when it is combined with other words like El Shaddai (God Almighty) or El Elyon (God Most High). HaElohim also refers to God the Father. If we are ever confused about who is being referred to in the Bible, we can always look up the Hebrew or Greek word since there are many words that are translated as God.

There are numerous scriptures that reference the name of God in prayers and thoughts.

Psalm 86:6 Give ear O Lord to my prayer and give heed to the voice of my supplications (RSV)

Psalm 61:1-4 Hear my cry, O God; Give heed to my prayer. From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a refuge for me, A tower of strength against the enemy. Let me dwell in Your tent forever. (RSV)

1John 4:8 He who does not love does not know God; for God is love. (RSV)

Revelation 3:12 Those who bear the name of God are destined for the New Jerusalem; which will come down (to earth) from heaven. (RSV)

Not only are these examples of people using God’s name in prayer or describing God which does not break the third commandment, but we also see that in the future we will bear the name and authority of God.

What the third Commandment does teach us is that we are not to use God’s name in the wrong way. God will not hold us guiltless if we do. It is important for us to understand exactly what taking God’s name in vain is if we are to obey this command.

What does vain mean? The Wordsmyth Dictionary defines it as: lacking significance or value; not leading to a desirable or lasting effect. The Hebrew word vain means empty, meaningless, thoughtless, senseless, worthless.

What does guiltless mean? The Wordsmyth Dictionary defines it as: without guilt; sinless; innocent.

So we can see that taking God’s name in vain can mean using God’s name in a thoughtless, insincere way or without a specific purpose. This is why we don’t use the word “God” unless we are talking to God or about God. God does not take it lightly if we do. We are responsible for every word that comes out of our mouths, whether it is good or bad.

1John 2:4 But if we claim to know him and don't obey him, we are lying and the truth isn't in our hearts.(CEV)

Matthew 12:36 I promise you that on the day of judgment, everyone will have to account for every careless word they have spoken. (CEV)

Ways in which we take God’s Name in Vain

We need to learn not to throw the name of God around verbally or in writing or symbolism. Think about what OMG means. It stands for Oh My God, but are we talking to or about God? No, it is an example of using God’s name in a thoughtless and insincere manner. What about TGIF? Are we really thanking God in prayer that it is Friday, or again, is that just another example of using God’s name when we are not talking about Him or to Him?

For sure we should never use God’s name in frustration or profanity. Sometimes when people are really frustrated they might yell, “For the love of God….” or “Oh God!” when it is obvious that they are not really referring to God’s love or God at all. Over time, sayings that involve God’s name have crept into our culture without regard to whether or not we might be breaking the third commandment. We have to really pay attention and work to keep these sayings out of our minds and replace them with other words that don’t involve using God’s name in vain.

The same holds true for the name of Jesus Christ, our High Priest. Even though we do not pray directly to Jesus Christ, he is the son of God the Father and our High Priest. It is disrespectful when people yell “Jesus Christ” when they are frustrated. We are to give honour to God and Christ and we dishonour their names by using them in a useless or profane way.

Ephesians 5:6 Don't let anyone trick you with foolish talk. God punishes everyone who disobeys him and says foolish things.(CEV)

Proverbs 15:2 Knowledge is dropping from the tongue of the wise; but from the mouth of the foolish comes a stream of foolish words. (BBE)

Psalms 100:4 Come into his doors with joy, and into his house with praise; give him honour, blessing his name. (BBE)

Other ways we might yake God’s Name in Vain

There are some people who claim that God the Father is a trinity which the Bible teaches us is not true. The Bible tells us there is only One True God and one of His names is Eloah.

In Deuteronomy we clearly learn God is one and we are to love God with all our being.

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 “Listen, Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord one and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your being, and all your might.”

As we referenced above in this paper, in the New Testament we see Jesus Christ quote the shema emphasizing that God is one and the importance of keeping the commandments. Jesus clearly knew the Old Testament and helped tie the Old Testament to the New Testament.

If some churches are praying to “God” but believe that means God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, then they would be using God’s name in vain. God’s name is reserved for God the Father only.

Who is to obey this Commandment?

All of God’s commandments are given to each one of us individually. How we use God’s name and how we treat God’s name is a big concern to God. It is up to each one of us to avoid using the Lord God’s name in vain. We must never use God’s name in an insincere way. God’s name should always be honoured. This Commandment is directed to each of us. It is directed to every human on the Earth and all the spiritual beings as well.

Ecclesiastes 10:12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are sweet to all, but the lips of a foolish man are his destruction. (BBE)

Isaiah 8:13 I am the one you should fear and respect. I am the holy God, the LORD All-Powerful! (CEV)

How long was this Commandment to be in force?

For as long as we live we are to obey all the Commandments. No one who has ever lived, who is living now, or who ever will live is ever to misuse God’s name. No person of any period of history is to misuse or take God’s name in vain. This is what God demands. This Commandment is in force as long as we live and as long as God exists. God’s Law is eternal.

Numbers 35:29 These rules are to be your guide in judging through all your generations wherever you may be living. (BBE)

Deuteronomy 5:32-33 Take care, then, to do whatever the Lord your God has given you orders to do; let there be no turning away to the right hand or to the left. 33 Go on walking in the way ordered for you by the Lord your God, so that life may be yours and it may be well for you, and your days may be long in the land of your heritage. (BBE)

Conclusion

So, in conclusion, we need to be aware of our speech. We need to be careful how we use God’s name. We should use it in a comforting, kind-hearted manner with the utmost respect for God Himself. We need to not only watch how we use God’s name but also we need to be aware of our speech in general. As it says in Titus 2:7-8:

Titus 2:7-8 Always set a good example for others. Be sincere and serious when you teach. ⁸Use clean language that no one can criticize. Do this, and your enemies will be too ashamed to say anything against you. (CEV)

The third commandment is designed to protect the power of the name of God and all activity undertaken in His name, teaching, praying or any aspect of the Church. All we do and say should reflect God’s power, might and authority.

PO Box 369, WODEN ACT 2606, AUSTRALIA