Grace In The Law Of God – The Third Commandment

by Greg Mills

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 (ESV)

I. The third commandment specifically condemns the profanity that has become the socially accepted norm in our day.

Exposition With Application
I. The verb translated as take has the sense of use, or employ. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.

II. The name of God carries a host of meanings in Scripture.

A. His proper name
B. His titles: Creator, Judge, Savior, Shepherd
C. His attributes: holiness, wisdom, faithfulness
D. His Word, Psalm 138:2
E. His grace and mercy toward sinners, John 17:6
F. His majesty revealed in creation, Psalm 8:1

The name of God is either God Himself, or anything by which He is made known. Anything that pertains to God, His will or His worship is included in His name.

III. The primary meaning of the word translated vain is emptiness, worthlessness. It can also mean falsehood or wickedness.

IV. To take God’s name in vain then, is to use it in any irreverent, trifling, or wicked way.

The third commandment insures that everything God uses to make Himself known is treated with reverence.

V. In the first petition to the Lord’s prayer, Hallowed be Thy name, Jesus reaffirms the third commandment.

VI. This commandment is broken in two general ways.

A. Using God’s name in a trivial way.
B. Swearing by God’s name, either
1. To that which is untrue, or
2. When it is unecessary to do so

VII. There are legitimate reasons to swear by God’s name: courtroom testimony, marriage vows, oaths of office. God Himself sanctions swearing by His name when it is appropriate: Isa. 45:23; Jer. 4:2; Phil. 2:11

Christ’s injunction against swearing prohibits frivolous, unnecessary oaths and enjoins believers to cultivate a reputation for being true to their word.

VIII. God’s name is also used in vain when

A. Worship lacks the proper decorum, solemnity and reverence.
B. When preaching or teaching is vague, compromising, or speculative.

Application
I. The third commandment, like all the rest, has a deeper application than our outward words and actions. It extends to the thoughts and meditations of our hearts. (Mal. 3:16)

II. Un practice, anytime we use the name of God

A. Our purpose is to be His glory
B. Our speech is to be solemn, intelligent, informed and with forethought.

III. We never use God’s name

A. When it’s not necessary to do so
B. To sanction our own superstitions, or speculations.

IV. The tongue is impossible for the natural man to control. James 3:8. Profanity is the evidence of a polluted soul. Matt. 18:18-20.

The only way this stain can ever be removed is through faith in the finished work of Christ.

HT: http://5ptsalt.com