FAQs Mondays: What is the Third Commandment?

Last week, we answered the question, "What is the second commandment?".  You can view that post here.  This week, we tackle the question, "What is the third commandment?".

Which is the third commandment?

The third commandment is, "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name" (Ex. 20:7).

What is required in the third commandment?

The third commandment requires the holy and reverent use of God's names, titles, attributes, ordinances, words, and works.  Throughout the Scriptures we are called to, "Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness" (Ps. 29:2, ESV).  As we search the holy pages we are reminded that, "He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever.  Holy and awesome is his name" (Ps. 111:9, ESV).  David states, "I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word" (Ps. 138:2, ESV).  Concern God, Moses said, "For I will proclaim the name of the LORD; ascribe greatness to our God! The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice.  A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he" (Deut. 32:3-4, ESV).  Jesus stressed the holiness of God's name when he taught his disciples to pray, "Our Father in heaven, hallowed [regarded as holy] be your name" (Matt. 6:9, ESV).

We see the right response to God in Revelation 4:8, "And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come.'"  Revelation 15:3-4, also demonstrates the proper response, "And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, 'Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty!  Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations!  Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name?  For you alone are holy.  All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.'"

What is forbidden in the third commandment?

The third commandment forbids all profaning and abusing of anything whereby God makes himself known.  The LORD warns, "You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the LORD" (Lev. 19:12, ESV).  The Lord states,

A son honors his father, and a servant his master.  If then I am a father, where is my honor?  And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the LORD of host to you, O priests, who despise my name.  But you say, "How have we despised your name?" By offering polluted food upon my altar (Mal. 1:6-7a, ESV).

What reason is attached to the third commandment?

The reason attached to the third commandment is, that however the breakers of this commandment may escape punishment from men, yet the LORD our God will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgment. As the Lord warned his people, "If you are not careful to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and awesome name, the LORD your God, then the LORD will bring on you and your offspring extraordinary afflictions, afflictions severe and lasting, and sicknesses grievous and lasting" (Deut. 28:58-59, ESV).  Again he warns, "If you will not listen, if you will not take it to heart to give honor to my name, says the LORD of hosts, then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings.  Indeed, I have already curse them, because you do not lay it to heart" (Mal. 2:2, ESV).

Summary

It is clear that the third commandment forbids the misuse of the Lord's name.  The Lord's name is synonymous with his glory.  He will not allow his glory to be diminished, nor will he share it with another.  His name is to be revered as holy--sacred, and not used as a by-word.   Next week, we will answer the question, "What is the fourth commandment?".