Sound The Trumpet : The Third Commandment

Must Listen

Must Read

What Art Thinks

Pre-Millennialism

Today's Headlines

Sorry... Not Available

Locally Contributed...

Audio

Video

Special Interest

Commentary

17803

“The Third Commandment”
by Ian C. Kurylyk
December 2nd, 2012

“Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain” (Exodus 20:7)

There is a pattern that we can see from our study so far of the Ten Commandments. The first commands have to do directly with the obligation to give to God the honour that is rightfully His as God and Creator.

This is confirmed in the New Testament. Jesus summarized the whole of man’s responsibility into two great principles. “And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:29-31).

The Ten Commandments expand upon these two principles, first on how we relate to God and then on our relations to other human beings. The third commandment (quoted above from Exodus 20:7) shows us that man’s dishonour toward God is evident in the way God’s name is handled. The words we speak are the surest expression of our hearts and nobody can be loving God as they are commanded if their mouths are filled with blasphemy. There are many ways the third commandment is violated.

Many people profess to be atheists but use God’s name all the time (in a disrespectful way). This suggests that His existence is not really questioned, but that there is a refusal to give Him reverence. The psalmist who loved God said, “holy and reverend is his name” (Psalms 111:9). The careless or thoughtless use of God’s name so common in our culture is using it “in vain”. Saying “My God” or “Jesus Christ” as a common expression may not seem like anything, but that is just the point. His name should be something to the creatures He made. The tendency to downplay the seriousness of this is probably why God followed up this command with the assurance that He,“will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain”.

Taking oaths (swearing) without any real sense of the solemnity involved is a well known violation of this area of God’s law. Following up a statement with “by” and then God’s name in some form is a very serious thing to do. The implication is that there is a very solemn statement of truth or intention to be true and that it is made in God’s presence. It is inviting God to intervene in judgment if the oath is broken. Saying such things lightly does not mean that God takes it lightly.

The cursing we hear so often is also forbidden by the third commandment. To curse is an expression of hatred so great that the individual calls on God to “damn” the object of the curse. We are called to bless others by God’s law, not curse. There is a curse by God upon rebellion against His holy laws, but He is certainly not interested in joining in on petty human vengefulness and sinful hatred.

The sin of profanity is committed in an indirect way when we treat as common anything God has set apart as holy. There are some things established by God to be so directly a reflection of His holy person that to deal with them as common things is the sin of profanity. The later commandments deal specifically with such things as the sanctity of the truth, the sanctity of marriage, and the sanctity of the home.

Even the worship service in church may profane God’s name by including things that God forbids in His Word at the same time as going through the forms of worship. Unholy behaviour joined to God’s Holy name in this way is dragging down His name. It is taking His name in vain.

Wow, a lot of people must be in trouble in with God. We’re all in trouble if we are honest in the face of these teachings. But the good news is that there is forgiveness with God. God can forgive us for our failures to reverence His name and can change our lives. The law of God shows us our deep need of a Saviour. Jesus Christ always perfectly honoured His Heavenly Father. By His sacrifice on the cross He honoured God on our behalf. He faced the broken law and paid the price required for our sins in His blood. The resurrected Saviour now invites us to call upon Him in repentance and faith.

Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13