The Third Commandment Explained
“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.” — Exodus 20:7
The Meaning of the Commandment
The Third Commandment calls for reverence in both speech and attitude toward God. It is not only about avoiding careless words; it is about honouring the sacredness of His name.
When God gave this instruction, He said, “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).
The phrase “take in vain” means to use something emptily, falsely, or without purpose. God’s name represents His character, authority, and presence. To misuse it is to treat lightly the very essence of who He is. This commandment, therefore, teaches that the way we speak about God reveals the way we regard Him.
The commandment is not only a prohibition; it is a protection. It preserves the holiness of God’s identity. Every name by which God reveals Himself — whether “Lord,” “Father,” “Almighty,” or “Redeemer” — carries meaning and power. To use these titles irreverently or without sincerity is to misrepresent the One who bears them.
Why God’s Name Matters
In ancient times, a name was more than a label; it described the nature and reputation of a person. When God revealed Himself to Moses, He said, “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14). This name expressed His eternal and self-existent nature, that He depends on no one and that all things depend on Him.
To speak God’s name, therefore, was to acknowledge His divine reality and authority. When Israel invoked His name in prayer or covenant, they did so with deep awareness of its holiness. To misuse that name — whether in false oaths, empty promises, or careless speech — was to deny His truth and diminish His glory.
The psalmist captures this reverence when he writes, “O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth, who have set Your glory above the heavens!” (Psalm 8:1). God’s name is a reflection of His majesty. It is to be spoken with awe, not treated as common or used for personal gain.
Forms of Misusing God’s Name
The misuse of God’s name can take many forms. One obvious form is false oath — swearing by God’s name to make a lie sound true. Leviticus 19:12 warns against this plainly: “And you shall not swear by My name falsely, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the Lord.” To attach God’s authority to deceit is to profane His holiness.
Another misuse is careless or empty speech. This happens when God’s name is used casually, as a filler in conversation or a reaction of surprise or anger. Such habits dull the sense of reverence that should accompany His name. Jesus later expanded on this principle, teaching that “for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment” (Matthew 12:36). The commandment reminds us that words carry moral weight because they reveal the condition of the heart.
A further form of misuse occurs when people claim to speak or act in God’s name without His authority. The prophet Jeremiah warned against this, saying, “And the Lord said to me, ‘The prophets prophesy lies in My name. I have not sent them, commanded them, nor spoken to them.’” (Jeremiah 14:14). To invoke God’s name falsely for personal or political purposes is a grave distortion of truth.
The Heart of Reverence
Reverence is more than avoiding certain words; it is an attitude of honour toward God in every expression of life. The commandment calls us to speak of Him, and to Him, with sincerity. This includes prayer, worship, and daily conversation.
Jesus taught His followers to begin prayer with reverence, saying, “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.” (Matthew 6:9). The word “hallowed” means holy, set apart, and worthy of worship. Before any request or confession, Jesus placed God’s name in the position of honour.
Reverence also extends to how we live, because actions can honour or dishonour God’s name just as much as speech. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” (2 Timothy 2:19). To bear God’s name as a Christian means to represent His character. When behaviour contradicts that identity, the name of God is taken in vain through hypocrisy.
Thus, this commandment calls believers to consistency — that their words and their deeds should both reflect the holiness of the One they serve.
The Commandment’s Positive Teaching
Every commandment contains both a warning and an invitation. The warning in this one is clear: God will not overlook the misuse of His name. Yet the invitation is equally strong — to use His name rightly.
The proper use of God’s name includes worship, thanksgiving, prayer, and witness. “Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.” (Psalm 29:2). The believer honours God’s name when it is spoken in truth, love, and gratitude.
To use His name rightly is also to trust in it. “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10). Here the name of the Lord symbolises His power and protection. It is not a formula to be repeated but a reality to rely upon. Calling on His name is an act of faith that brings comfort and strength.
Why This Commandment Still Matters
In a culture where language is often careless and reverence rare, this commandment remains vital. It confronts the modern tendency to treat everything as ordinary, even the sacred. God’s name is not a slogan, nor is it a casual expression. It carries divine weight.
When people speak His name lightly, they lose sight of His majesty. When they invoke His name falsely, they distort His truth. The Third Commandment calls each generation to recover the reverence that gives faith its depth. “Holy and awesome is His name.” (Psalm 111:9).
The commandment also reminds us that God listens to how He is spoken of. He takes His name seriously because His name represents His presence. Every careless word about Him diminishes our awareness of His holiness; every word spoken rightly deepens it.
Living the Commandment
To live according to the Third Commandment is to let reverence guide both language and life. It means thinking before speaking, ensuring that God’s name is honoured whenever it is mentioned. It also means recognising that our conduct reflects His reputation.
This awareness should shape prayer, conversation, and worship. Whether in church, at work, or in private, the believer’s words should reflect the respect due to God. The more His name is honoured in our hearts, the more it will be honoured in our speech.
The commandment therefore shapes not only vocabulary but also attitude. It teaches humility before God and mindfulness before others. It invites believers to treat every mention of His name as sacred, not through fear, but through love and gratitude for who He is.
Summary
The Third Commandment reminds us that the name of God is holy and must never be used carelessly, falsely, or without purpose. It calls for reverence in every word and sincerity in every action. To misuse His name is to misunderstand His holiness; to honour it is to recognise His greatness.
Through this commandment, God teaches His people that words matter because truth matters. His name represents His nature — pure, faithful, and eternal. To keep this commandment is to live with awareness of that holiness in every thought, word, and deed.
Scripture References
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.”
Exodus 3:14 – “And God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ And He said, ‘Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, “I AM has sent me to you.”’”
Psalm 8:1 – “O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth, who have set Your glory above the heavens!”
Leviticus 19:12 – “And you shall not swear by My name falsely, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the Lord.”
Matthew 12:36 – “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.”
Jeremiah 14:14 – “And the Lord said to me, ‘The prophets prophesy lies in My name. I have not sent them, commanded them, nor spoken to them.’”
Matthew 6:9 – “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.”
2 Timothy 2:19 – “Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and, ‘Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.’”
Psalm 29:2 – “Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.”
Proverbs 18:10 – “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”
Psalm 111:9 – “He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever: holy and awesome is His name.”
