The third commandment guards how we speak, think, write, and live in relation to God’s holy name. The third commandment is:
“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.” (Exo 20:7 NAS)
The word “take” in this context is the Hebrew word “nasah” which meansto lift, carry, take, or bear. To lift something means to raise it to a higher position or level. David lifted his eyes and saw the angel of the Lord.
“Then David lifted up his eyes and saw the angel of the LORD standing between earth and heaven.” (1Ch 21:16 NAS)
To carry something means to support and move someone or something from one place to another.
“Save Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance; Be their shepherd also, and carry them forever.” (Psa 28:9 NAS)
To bear something means to carry the weight of and support something.
“Yes, it is He who will build the temple of the LORD, and He who will bear the honor and sit and rule on His throne.” (Zec 6:13 NAS)
The connotation of the word “take” is not merely using the Lord’s name improperly but to bear or attribute the name of the Lord to yourself in vain.
This command acts like a bridle, teaching us to faithfully represent God with reverence, faithfulness, and with godly purpose. God Himself warns in the very command that He will not “leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.”
What does the third commandment require?
The third commandment requires everyone to honor God with holy respect. That includes His name, titles, and attributes. This is seen at the beginning of the Lord’s Prayer.
“Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name.” (Matt 6:9 NAS)
God’s Word is God. We are to be reverent when we speak of God’s Word and His ordinances.
“Consider how I love Thy precepts; Revive me, O LORD, according to Thy lovingkindness. The sum of Thy word is truth, And every one of Thy righteous ordinances is everlasting.” (Psa 119:159-160 NAS)
“I will bow down toward Thy holy temple, And give thanks to Thy name for Thy lovingkindness and Thy truth; For Thou hast magnified Thy word according to all Thy name.” (Psa 138:2 NAS)
This includes being reverent when participating in the sacraments. God has ordained the Lords Supper as a Sacrament to be observed to remember the sacrifice Christ made for us. This is equally true when believers are being baptized. Christ’s sacrifice was not a trivial event.
“For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself, if he does not judge the body rightly.” (1Co 11:26-29 NAS)
Taking the Lord’s name in vain also refers to how we worship and pray.
“Worship the LORD with reverence, And rejoice with trembling.” (Psa 2:11 NAS)
“Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe.” (Heb 12:28 NAS)
Taking the Lord’s name in vain also involves times when we have to take an oath or vow.
“And you will swear, ‘As the LORD lives,’ In truth, in justice, and in righteousness; Then the nations will bless themselves in Him, And in Him they will glory.” (Jer 4:2 NAS)
“When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it, for He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow! It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.” (Ecc 5:4-5 NAS)
We must honor everything God does in creation, providence, redemption, and judgment with reverent gratitude and truthful praise. We are to refuse explaining God’s actions as “luck” or “just nature”; instead, we magnify what He has done.
“Behold, God is exalted in His power; Who is a teacher like Him? Who has appointed Him His way, And who has said, ‘Thou hast done wrong ‘? Remember that you should exalt His work, Of which men have sung.” (Job 36:22-24 NAS)
“O Lord, our Lord, How majestic is Thy name in all the earth, Who hast displayed Thy splendor above the heavens!“ (Psa 8:1 NAS)
We must honor His name in our thoughts, meditation, words, and our writing.
“Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; Speak of all His wonders. Glory in His holy name; Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.” (Psa 105:2-3 NAS)
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” (Col 3:15-17 NAS)
We are to make a clear profession of faith and live consistently with that profession; aiming at the glory of God and the real good of ourselves and our neighbors. Simply put, anything we say or do in our life must be glorifying to God’s name. God’s people represent God on earth and are to do all things to the glory of God.
“Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1Co 10:31 NAS)
“Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” (Phil 1:27 NAS)
“Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may on account of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.” (1Pe 2:12 NAS)
What does the third commandment forbid?
God rejects those who bear His name, yet, live careless, ignorant, irreverent, profane, superstitious, or wicked lives. The third commandment forbids people to deceive others by posing as His servant when they are not. They discredit the faith by living an inconsistent, unwise, unfruitful, and offensive life, dishonoring the name of God.
First, living a life contrary to your profession breaks the third commandment.
Whoever claims the name of the Lord and does not sincerely believe in Him has no right to claim to be His servant. It is saying you believe while displaying unfaithfulness.
“They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient, and worthless for any good deed.” (Tit 1:16 NAS)
“But to the wicked God says, “What right have you to tell of My statutes, and to take My covenant in your mouth? “For you hate discipline, and you cast My words behind you. “When you see a thief, you are pleased with him, and you associate with adulterers. “You let your mouth loose in evil, And your tongue frames deceit. “You sit and speak against your brother; You slander your own mother’s son.” (Psa 50:16-20 NAS)
God forbids hypocrisy from those who are supposed to be His servant. Taking the Lord’s name in vain is professing faith while living contrary to the very beliefs you claim.
“Even so you too outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” (Matt 23:28 NAS)
“You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God? For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” just as it is written.” (Rom 2:22-24 NAS)
We take the Lord’s name in vain when we publicly claim His name but live in ways that deny Him, so that outsiders end up blaspheming God’s name.
In recent years, several high-profile church leaders have been imprisoned for serious sex-crime offenses. In 2019, a federal jury in Ohio convicted Toledo pastor Anthony Haynes of the Greater Life Christian Center of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of a minor, sex trafficking, child exploitation, and obstruction. In 2022, Naasón Joaquín García, leader of the La Luz del Mundo megachurch in California, pleaded guilty to multiple felonies for sex abuse involving minors. In 2023, a Northern Ohio jury found former Catholic priest Michael Zacharias of St. Michael Catholic Church guilty on five counts of sex trafficking involving three victims.
When leaders wear Christ’s name yet commit evil, they make their profession a lie and cause outsiders to blaspheme God and hate the church.
Second, swearing in God’s name breaks the third commandment.
The third commandment forbids anyone to swear in God’s name, make a solemn statement, a promise to do something, or affirming that something is the case falsely in God’s name. This includes oaths and vows. Those who make an oath or vow and willfully breaks the oath or vow commits perjury.
“But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but let your yes be yes, and your no, no; so that you may not fall under judgment.” (James 5:12 NAS)
“Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore, let your words be few.” (Ecc 5:2 NAS)
Because swearing in God’s name and breaking the oath is such an egregious sin, Jesus said to make no oath at all.
“Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not make false vows, but shall fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ “But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. “Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. “But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; and anything beyond these is of evil.” (Matt 5:33-37 NAS)
An example is the Episcopal and PCUSA churches. Both the Episcopal Church (USA) and the Presbyterian Church (USA) authorize same-sex marriage and divorce based on state law and not the Bible. The Episcopal Church approved gender-inclusive marriage rites in 2015 and in 2018 guaranteed access to these rites in every diocese. The PC(USA) in 2015 amended its Constitution to define marriage as a covenant between “two people, traditionally a man and a woman,” giving ministers and sessions discretion to host same-sex weddings.
Allowing Oaths and Vows that are contrary to what God has established in His Word profanes His name and takes the Lord’s name in vain.
Third, claiming to be a servant of God for monetary gain breaks the third commandment.
God’s people are to serve God reverently without the intent of monetary gain. A man named Simon tried to pay the Apostles money for the Holy Spirit.
“Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, “Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! “You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.” (Acts 8:18-21 NAS)
Those who use God’s name as a means for monetary gain ruin God’s reputation. They are not believers but spiritual grifters who destroy the church for their own gain.
“Shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness.” (1Pe 5:2 NAS)
“But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.” (1Ti 6:9 NAS)
An example of using God as a means of monetary gain is the prosperity movement. The prosperity gospel is the health and wealth teaching that faith, positive confession, and giving can bring material blessing. A widely cited example is the Lakewood Church in Houston, led by Joel Osteen, often associated with the “prosperity gospel.” Other ministries commonly linked to this teaching include the World Changers Church International led by Creflo Dollar and the Eagle Mountain International Church led by Kenneth Copeland.
When the gospel or ministry is used for monetary gain, it treats the Lord’s name as a tool for profit rather than service. People outside of the church blaspheme God and hate the church as a result.
Fourth, claiming God said something that He did not say breaks the third commandment.
God forbids the misreading or misusing of Scripture, whether by misinterpretation, misapplication, or any perversion of its meaning. When God’s Word is read, it must be exactly what God intended. Inserting our own interpretation of what God plainly teaches is taking the Lord’s name in vain.
“You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.” (Deut 4:2 NAS)
“Behold, I am against those who have prophesied false dreams,” declares the LORD, “and related them, and led My people astray by their falsehoods and reckless boasting; yet I did not send them or command them, nor do they furnish this people the slightest benefit,” declares the LORD.” (Jer 23:32 NAS)
God condemns those who mishandle Scripture, sneer at it, joke with it, use it to excuse sin or force it to say what God never intended.
“He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.” (Prov 17:15 NAS)
“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isa 5:20 NAS)
“Seek the LORD that you may live, Lest He break forth like a fire, O house of Joseph, and it consume with none to quench it for Bethel, for those who turn justice into wormwood and cast righteousness down to the earth.” (Amos 5:6-7 NAS)
Claiming God said something that He did not say, brings dishonor to God’s name.
“As also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.” (2Pe 3:16 NAS)
“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” (Matt 7:15 NAS)
History offers repeated examples of leaders claiming God said something that did not come to pass. From 1843 to 1844, Baptist preacher William Miller predicted Christ’s return, fixing the date to October 22, 1844. When nothing happened, the “Great Disappointment” followed, ruining the faith of many. More recently, Bethel Church leader Kris Vallotton publicly prophesied that Donald Trump would be re-elected in 2020, then issued and reposted an apology calling it an “incorrect prophetic word.” Likewise, in 2011 radio preacher Harold Camping set May 21st, changing the date later to October 21st, for the Rapture and the end of the world. When the predictions failed, he publicly apologized in 2012.
When people say, “God said” and they turn out to be false, they mislead believers, undermine trust in the gospel, and cause God to be ridiculed by unbelievers.
The third commandment is bigger than avoiding a few careless words. Because “take” means to bear or carry, God commands His people to carry His name, in speech, worship, vows, work, and witness with holy reverence. We do not attach His name to empty talk, selfish gain, false promises, or man-made messages. We honor His Word as He gave it, His ordinances as He instituted them, and His works as He performs them. The Lord Himself warns that He “will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain,” so this command is both a bridle for the tongue and a compass for the whole life.
Yet, the command also directs us to grace. Hallowed is God the Father’s name. By Christ’s death and resurrection, He forgives those who have misused it. In Him, God gives us a new heart so that our lips, our worship, our promises, and our daily conduct line up with our confession. The right response, then, is humble repentance and renewed obedience: examine yourself, keep your word, speak truthfully, worship with awe, and let Scripture say what God intends. In every ordinary place; home, work, table, and church, let your life bear His name with joy “to the glory of God,” walking “in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ,” so that even unbelievers “glorify God” as they witness your good deeds.