3rd Commandment: God's Name

 

"You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God.  The lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name."  

    God's commandments are boundaries.  If you break the boundary then you sin.  The first commandment is about understanding who God is.  The second commandment is about how to worship him.  The third commandment is about honoring Him.  His name is holy.  To degrade His name is to degrade your value.  It doesn't diminish who He is.  It only reveals how unworthy you are.

    God stated to misuse His name would lead to punishment.  He doesn't go into specifics, but if you know the Bible you have a general idea.  Adam and Eve broke His boundary with food and were kicked out of paradise forced to work for what had been given previously.  They still had jobs and purpose, but they also knew one day they would die.  

    Death has always been a mystery.  It can be scary, so knowing that they were sentence to death for their disobedience you can imagine what your punishment could be for insulting the one who created you.  Follow Jesus in obedience and you do not need to fear death.

    What is it to misuse or profane God's name?  It is to belittle, insult, or devalue who God is.  It leads to foul language, but ultimately reveals a lack of respect for the fundamentals of God's values.  It goes further than how you talk.  If you make false vows or accusations, then you are insulting God's creations which is insulting God.  

    Mishandling God's reputation in the world gives His people a bad name.  That is misusing His name.  Do not be careless with your words or actions.  Do not live a hypocritical life by living like the world, but claiming to be a Christian.  If you process faith, then your actions and behavior better back it up.  

    God's name is sacred and powerful.  Do not use it like it is worthless.  If you claim to be a Christian, a follower of Jesus, then you are a representation of God's name.  Honor God and He will protect you.  Dishonor God and deal with the consequences.

Exodus 20:7, Leviticus 19:12, Deuteronomy 5:11, Matthew 5:33-37, & James 5:12