The Ten Commandments
Commandment No 3
THE TEN COMMANDMENT THIRD COMMANDMENT ( Taking the name of God in vain) Exodus 20:7 'You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name'. We shall deal with this commandment in two parts; 1. A negative expressed, that we must not take God's name in vain, cast any reflection or dishonour on his name. 2. An affirmative implied. That we would take care to reverence and honor his name. We speak God's name in vain; a) when we speak slightly and irreverently of his name. Deuteronomy 28:58 If you do not carefully follow all the words of this law, which are written in this book, and do not revere this glorious and awesome name-the LORD your God- Luke 24:19 'What things?' he asked. 'About Jesus of Nazareth,' they replied. 'He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. - Thus when the disciple when speaking about of Jesus, hallowed his name - When we mention the names of Kings, and other important people in our lives, we give them some title of honor, as excellent Majesty, honorable. - Therefore we should speak the name of the lord with sacred honor that is due to unmeasured majesty of heaven. - When we speak slightly of God or his works, God interprets it as a contempt and taking his name in vain. b) When we profess God's name but do not live answerable to it, we take it in vain. Titus1:16 They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good. - When men's tongues and lives are contrary to one another. When they lie and are unclean. They are taking God's name in vain to abuse him - Simulate sanctitas duplex iniquitas ( Pretended holiness is merely double wickedness). Romans 2:24 As it is written: 'God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.' - When the heathen saw the Jews, who professed to be God's people, to be scandalous, it made them speak evil of God, and hate the true religion for their sakes. c) When we worship him with our lips, but not with our hearts. God calls for the heart. Proverbs 23:26 My son, give me your heart and let your eyes keep to my ways, - The heart is the chief thing in religion - The heart is the incense that perfumes our holy things. - The heart is the altar that sanctifies the offering (Jesus) - Therefore when we seem to worship God, but withdraw our hearts from him, we take his name in vain. d) When we pray to him, but do not believe in him. - Faith is a grace that greatly honors God. Abraham was strong in faith, giving glory to God. Romans 4:20. - When we pray to God, but do not mix faith with our prayer, we take his name in vain. - A question of whether God hears or not is taking God's name in vain - A statement that God helps that that helps him/ herself is taking God's name in vain. e) When we speak scornfully of his word, - Where is the promise of his coming - Speaking scornful of scripture is taking God's name in vain. f) That speak jestingly. Such are they who sport and play with scriptures. - This is like playing with fire. - They make scriptures a harp to drive away the spirit of sadness - To play with scriptures shows a very profane heart, Proverbs 1:26. g) That bring scripture to countenance any sin. - The word written to suppress sin has become a defence of that particular sin. h) That adulterate the word and wrest it in a wrong sense. - Such are heretics, who put their own mind upon scripture to make it speak that which it doest mean. Deuteronomy 5:8. i) When we swear by God's name. - Many mention God's name in oaths, for which sin the world mourns. Matthew 5:33, Deut.6:13, Heb.6:16.
Bishop Silas; www.churchforallnations.co.ke
