The Third Commandment

"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."  Exodus 20:7

 

Does this Commandment mean more than just people using God’s name in swearing?

 

How do Christians use God’s name in vain?

 

What does God’s name mean?

 

What does it mean for God to ‘not hold people guiltless’ for taking his name in vain?

 

Does this Commandment operate for people who do not believe in God?

 

All the commandments deal with relationships, and this commandment focuses on a very real aspect of a relationship, and a very important aspect, which is the name of the Person with whom we have a relationship. It is bad enough to have one's name forgotten, but even worse, to have it abused or exploited.

 

Don’t rob God’s name of its meaning and power by using it to promote your own futile campaign. God does not count such harmful schemes as innocent (not hold him guiltless).

 

Seeking of endorsement for our own name is really the seeking of endorsement for the self -images that we have been building, according to the fault addressed in the previous commandment which was the making and serving of images.

 

It is the basic insecurity within every image-maker that does not trust in God that creates a compulsion to attach credibility to that image by borrowing the fame or success of someone else's achievement or reputation.

 

Click here to see a chart showing the progression of the Commandments