The Third Commandment

"You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His name.”
(Deuteronomy 5:11)

In the Hungarian-speaking world, sadly, there are many variations of blaspheming the name of God. What is even more tragic is that for many people, cursing with God’s name has become part of their everyday vocabulary. Yet the Third Commandment clearly forbids this. There is no greater sin, nor one that provokes God’s wrath more severely, than the blasphemy of His name. That is why He commanded that this sin be punished by death (Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 100).

The Third Commandment teaches us that we must not profane God’s name—not only by cursing or perjury, but even by careless or unnecessary oaths, nor by mentioning it irreverently. Nor should we participate in such terrible sins by our silence or by tolerating them. Instead, we are to use God’s holy name with fear and reverence, so that through our true confession, our calling upon Him, and through all our words and deeds, we may glorify Him (Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 99).

A Christian may swear an oath by God’s name only when required by legitimate authority or necessity, in order to maintain truth and trustworthiness for God’s glory and for the good of others. Such oath-taking is grounded in God’s Word and was therefore rightly practiced by believers in both the Old and the New Testaments (Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 101).

After all this, may we take God’s name upon our lips at all? Yes—every day, as often as we wish, if it is done with humility and a prayerful spirit. But we must never utter it in blasphemy, false oaths, or in a profane or sarcastic manner. Amen.

PRAYER: Father, instead of words of cursing, place words of grace upon my lips. Let praise flow from my heart every day, for You guide my life and teach me Your commandments. Amen.