Paraphrased, the third commandment says, “Do not take the Lord’s name in vain” (Exodus 20:7, Deuteronomy 5:11). Typically, in common use, perhaps especially in the South and in the Bible Belt, this has been taken to mean do not swear or curse. Frequently it is specifically used as an injunction against the particularly vile curse, “G__D___.”
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This common understanding of the third commandment makes some sense based upon other scriptural references, like Proverbs 17:27, Proverbs 21:23, Ecclesiastes 3:7, James 1:26, and 1Peter 3:10) But I think that interpreting Exodus 20:7 to simply mean, “do not curse” is taking the easy way out. A lot of young people take a while to realize that swearing is not cool, and some people never outgrow it, but most are able to temper their tongues at least somewhat by the time they are young adults.
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The Third commandment is not just an injunction against swearing.
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What does it mean to take the Lord’s name? When Abraham’s descendants said, “we are God’s people” (e.g. Judges 20:2, 2Samuel 14:13, Hebrews 4:9, etc…) they were taking the Lord’s name, just as a bride takes her husband’s name. Similarly, when followers of Jesus identify themselves as Christians (e.g. Acts 26:28, 1Peter 4:16, etc…) they are taking the Lord’s name.
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How does that become an act of vanity? When our lives are such poor examples that we make the Lord ashamed to be called our God as in Hebrews 11:15-16. So, how do we shame God?
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Jesus condensed all the Law and Prophets into the great commandments and the great commission. We are to love the Lord and love other people (Mark 12:28-34), evangelize, baptize, and teach (Matthew 28:16-20).
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When we make such bad examples of ourselves that other people see us and say, “I’d rather die than be a hypocrite like those Christians,” we take the Lord’s name in vain, and we also are violating all of the teachings of the Law and Prophets because it makes us worse than non-productive in the kingdom of God. It makes us counter-productive to the Great Commission.
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This common understanding of the third commandment makes some sense based upon other scriptural references, like Proverbs 17:27, Proverbs 21:23, Ecclesiastes 3:7, James 1:26, and 1Peter 3:10) But I think that interpreting Exodus 20:7 to simply mean, “do not curse” is taking the easy way out. A lot of young people take a while to realize that swearing is not cool, and some people never outgrow it, but most are able to temper their tongues at least somewhat by the time they are young adults.
.
The Third commandment is not just an injunction against swearing.
.
What does it mean to take the Lord’s name? When Abraham’s descendants said, “we are God’s people” (e.g. Judges 20:2, 2Samuel 14:13, Hebrews 4:9, etc…) they were taking the Lord’s name, just as a bride takes her husband’s name. Similarly, when followers of Jesus identify themselves as Christians (e.g. Acts 26:28, 1Peter 4:16, etc…) they are taking the Lord’s name.
.
How does that become an act of vanity? When our lives are such poor examples that we make the Lord ashamed to be called our God as in Hebrews 11:15-16. So, how do we shame God?
.
Jesus condensed all the Law and Prophets into the great commandments and the great commission. We are to love the Lord and love other people (Mark 12:28-34), evangelize, baptize, and teach (Matthew 28:16-20).
.
When we make such bad examples of ourselves that other people see us and say, “I’d rather die than be a hypocrite like those Christians,” we take the Lord’s name in vain, and we also are violating all of the teachings of the Law and Prophets because it makes us worse than non-productive in the kingdom of God. It makes us counter-productive to the Great Commission.
...let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:16; ESV)
Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. (1Peter 2:12; ESV)
By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. (John 15:8; ESV)
When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men. (Matthew 9:8; ESV)
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