Lesson #53–56—The Third Commandment

[Keeping in mind Thou shalt have no other gods before me.]

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Shorter Catechism Q & A #53 (Memorize)

Q. Which is the third commandment?

A. The third commandment is, 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.—Exodus 20:7

What does it mean?

The ‘name’ of the Lord refers to his person, his attributes, and his works; in other words, who he is. The word ‘vain’ means an emptiness, nothingness, without any meaning or hope: Psalm 31:6 “lying vanities” [vain idols]; Malachi 3:14 “it is vain to serve God” cry the wicked. Note Matthew 12:31 where Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven as it speaks of the worse kind of slander, i.e., false witness against the reputation of the Lord.

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Shorter Catechism Q & A #54 (Memorize)

Q. What is required in the third commandment?

A. The third commandment requireth the holy and reverent use of God’s names, titles, attributes, ordinances, word, and works.

[List and define the names, titles, attributes, ordinances, word, and works of God.]

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Shorter Catechism Q & A #55 (Memorize)

Q. What is forbidden in the third commandment?

A. The third commandment forbiddeth all profaning or abusing of any thing whereby God maketh himself known.

What is our practice?

1. Positive. How do we make honorable use of the names, titles, attributes, ordinances, word, and works of God? (Consider the use of the tongue; our service, worship, attitude and obedience; noting the following verses of Scripture: Psalm 29:2, Matt. 6:9, Rev. 15:3–4, Malachi 1:14, Psalm 128:2, Psalm 107:21–22.)
2. Negative. How does man dishonor the name and person of God—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit? Discuss Malachi 1:6–7, 1:12, 2:2; Isaiah 5:12.

Quotes for thought and discussion:

Matthew Henry wrote: “Is it a sin against this commandment to use the name of God lightly and carelessly? Yes: For thou shall fear this glorious and fearful name, the Lord thy God, Deut. 28:58. Will God’s friends thus affront him? No: Thine enemies take thy name in vain, Ps. 139:20. Is it the character of the wicked? Yes: Thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reins, Jer. 12:2.”

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Shorter Catechism Q & A #56 (Memorize)

Q. What is the reason annexed to the third commandment?

A. The reason annexed 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.

What does it mean?

Discuss: The righteous judgment of the Lord is inescapable. For the curses of God are poured out of his wrath against the wicked or disobedient. Deuteronomy 28:58–59, teaching of God’s judgment: “If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD; then the Lord will make thy plagues wonderful, and the plagues of thy seed even great plagues, and of long continuance, and sore sicknesses, and of long continuance.” (Wonderful meaning ‘great difficulty, extraordinary curse’)

What is our practice?

Our desire to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ should motivate us to pray for those who are still in the darkness of their sin, which would bring about true repentance, and then to disciple them in the truths and practice of the Word of God. The fear of the Lord and his judgments moves us to preach of the Gospel to all men, and to continually examine ourselves and grow through repentance and faith. For both blessings and curses are real and have true effects according to the purposes of God.

Quotes for thought and discussion:

“If God should not execute judgment on the profaners of his name in this life, their doom is to come. He will not remit their guilt, but deliver them to Satan the gaoler, to torment them forever. If God justify a man, who shall condemn him? But if God condemn him, who shall justify him? If God lay a man in prison, where shall he get bail? God will take his full blow at the sinner in hell. ‘It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.’ Heb 10:31.” (Thomas Watson)

“Those of us who consider ourselves to be mature in the faith, should be careful to teach our little ones that God sees everything, and even if they get by with things we don’t see, God does see. This should be a constant companion of all believers. How often do we tell our children that? Here God says the same to a whole nation; you may think you got by with this offense, but it isn’t so. I saw you and, unlike men who sometimes let judgment fail, I will hold you accountable. In fact I will punish you now, and so it will take several generations to recover from the devastation I bring upon you.” (Chuck Baynard)

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