The Third Commandment forbids the misuse of God’s Name. In Exodus 20:7 the word “take” means to lift up; “vain” means empty or nothingness. Thus, the literal translation of this verse is: “Thou shalt not lift up the name of the Lord thy God in nothingness or emptiness.” The carelessness, abuse and misuse of God’s Name are forbidden and sinful. On the other hand, the right use of God’s Name will promote and glorify God.

Believers reflect Christ through their words and deeds. If the believers’ words and deeds are not in accordance to the Scripture, they have already broken the Third Commandment. They end up misrepresenting Christ. There is power in God’s Name. In the Old Testament, when the prophets came with the message for the people, they came in God’s Name to strengthen and empower. In the New Testament, the Apostles were able to perform signs and miracles in the Name of Christ. Jesus calls upon the believers to pray in His Name, because in His Name therein contains all that He is – His nature and His attributes.

To dishonor God’s Name is a direct attack on God. One will be held accountable and cannot get away with dishonouring God’s Name. Unbelievers will also be held accountable when they use the name of God as a swear word. When we hear God’s Name being abused, we must rebuke and correct such abuse, and not condone such action. When we make a stand, we are telling others that God’s Name is important to us. Believers are also held accountable when they break the Third Commandment. In Leviticus 24:13-16, there is punishment for dishonouring the Name of God.

How do we live a life that will honour and reflect Christ? It must begin with our thoughts. We cannot let unclean thoughts rule our hearts and mind. Such unclean thoughts will eventually lead to sin in action. We must instead fill our minds with the Word of God and continue to have close fellowship with God who loves us. When we have a clean mind with the help of God, we can speak words of truth in love and glorify God. We must also abstain from all appearance of evil and not be found in places of vices. If we are found in such places, we shame the Name of Christ.

We bear the Name of Christ. May God help us not to break the Third Commandment, and be a good testimony for Him so that we can promote and glorify Him.