Do not take the name of the LORD your God in vain

Ten Commandments | The third commandment | Ian Goodman
“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.” This was the subject of the sermon, the 3rd commandment.

In today's world names don't mean anywhere near as much as they did in Bible times. Names carried great meaning. They carried the honour and power of the persons attached to them. This is especially the case when it comes to the name of God. To take the name of God is to take it with all the power and authority, all the blessings and promises, all the warnings and threats, that are true in God Himself. So, to take His name “in vain” (that is to take it without proper reverence or proper relationship) was a very dangerous thing to do. Like the people in Matthew 7 who say to Jesus “Lord, Lord, did we not do many mighty works in your name.” But to them he says, “depart from me for I never knew you.” This is illustrative of the disaster of taking God’s name in vain.

To take the Lord’s name in vain means far more than simply to use His name as a swear word (evil as that is). Any use of God’s name that is an improper use, an empty use, or an unproductive use, is to take His name “in vain.” Those who do so would be far better to learn from the people of God of old who feared to even mention the name of God lest they be guilty of dishonouring His name.

There is also an implied command in the 3rd commandment which is very positive. God wants us to take His name, but to do so properly. For it is in God’s name that we receive blessings from Him. In Numbers 6 it was said of Aaron and his sons “So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.” Having God’s name is a blessing, but taking it in vain carries a heavy penalty.