Lesson Six

THE THIRD COMMANDMENT (1)

DO NOT TAKE THE LORD'S NAME IN VAIN
(Exo. 20;7; Lev. 19:12b; Matt. 5:33-37; 12:36-37)

Burden to Impart:

We, are not to take the Lord's name in vain As He alone is our God and He is a jealous God, His name is sacred and holy. Also, it is precious to us. Our prayer should be lot His name to be sanctified. His name should not be spoken of in a careless or joking way. Neither should it be used in anger for that is blasphemy. Nor should God's name be used to prove a point, as when people swear by His name that they are telling the truth. His name represents His Person and is equal to Himself To honor His name is to honor Him; to dishonor His name By using it in vain is to dishonor Him.
Memory Verse: "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).

Facts to Teach:

  1. This third commandment is based upon the previous two: we have only one God to love and we have only one God to serve, and He wilt not tolerate any idols because He is a jealous God. His name is sacred, His name is holy, and this name is precious so us. His name should never be taken in vain,
  2. A person's name is associated with the person himself because the person's name represents the person himself. A person is known by his name. A person is referred to by the use of his name. When a person is despised, his name is hated. When a person is loved, his name is precious. When a person is honored, his name is lifted up. When a person is dishonored, his name is badly spoken of. Even by what tone we use when we speak or call a persons name reveals how we feel about the person to whom we are speaking (happy, mad, kind, etc).
  3. How we use and express God's name reveals how we feel about God. We should never use His name in a vain way or take it in vain. This means that:
    1. We should never joke in any way using God's name.
    2. We should never express anger using God's name--that is, to curse with His name.
    3. We should not use God's name to back up what we are styling by saying, "I swear to God..." The more one does that, the less likely what they are saying is true. The Lord Jesus taught us to speak simply "yes" and "no" (Matt, 5:33-37), To swear falsely in such a way is to deliberately use the Lord's name in vain.
  4. If the Lord will one day judge us for all careless words we speak (Matt. 12:36-37), how much more serious is it then to use His Name in vain.