Deuteronomy 5:11 You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that takes his name in vain. I. WHAT IS REQUIRED IN IT. This supposes that it is an indispensable duty for us to make mention of the name of God. II. THE SINS FORBIDDEN IN THIS COMMANDMENT; and accordingly we violate it by not using the name of God in such a way as it is required. This includes in it — 1. The not making any profession of religion, as being afraid or ashamed to own that in which the name of God is so much concerned. 2. Persons take the name of God in vain, when, though they make a profession of religion, yet it is not in such a way as God has required, and this is done by using His attributes, ordinances, or works, in which He makes Himself known, in an unbecoming manner. 3. The name of God is taken in vain by blasphemy, which is a thinking or speaking reproachfully of Him, as though He had no right to the glory that belongs to His name. 4. This commandment is broken by not using religious oaths in a right manner, or by violating them; and, on the other hand, by all sinful and profane oaths and cursing. 5. This commandment is also broken by murmuring, curiously prying into, and misapplying God's decrees or providences, or perverting what He has revealed in His Word, i.e. when we apply things sacred to profane uses, and have not a due regard to the glory of God, which is contained therein. 6. This commandment is further broken by making use of God's name as a charm; as when the writing or pronouncing some name of God is pretended to be an expedient to heal diseases or drive away evil spirits. 7. This commandment is further broken by reviling or opposing God's truth, grace, and ways; whereby we cast contempt on that which is most sacred, and lightly esteem that which He sets such a value on and makes Himself known by. III. THE REASONS ANNEXED TO THE THIRD COMMANDMENT. And these are taken — 1. From the consideration of what God is in Himself, as He is the Lord, whose name alone is Jehovah; whereby He puts us in mind of His sovereignty over us, and His undoubted right to obedience from us, and hereby intimates that His excellency should fill us with the greatest reverence and humility, when we think or speak of anything by which He makes Himself known. Moreover, He reveals Himself to His people as their God, that so His greatness should not confound us, or His dread, as an absolute God, whom we have offended, make us despair of being accepted in His sight. Therefore we are to look upon Him as our reconciled God and Father in Christ, which is the highest motive to obedience. 2. The observation of this commandment is further enforced by a threatening denounced against those that break it. (Thomas Ridglet, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. |
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