Key scripture – “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain” (Exodus 20:7, ESV).

Pastor James McDonald points out that God is deadly serious about blasphemy. In Exodus 20:7, He issued commandment #3: “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.” God is not going to pass on this. He won’t say, “Don’t worry about it. It’s cool.” Because it isn’t.

That naturally leads us to wonder, “What exactly does this mean to use the Lord’s Name in vain?”

Most of us have heard this as a prohibition against swearing, because the Bible soundly forbids vulgar speech: “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths” (Ephesians 4:29a). That encompasses cuss words, four-letter words, etc. But the emphasis of commandment #3 is God’s Name.

In biblical times, when someone choose a name for their child, the name stood for the person. When God told us His personal Name, He wasn’t just revealing His characteristics (that He’s holy, loving, good, true, etc.). He was revealing Himself: His personhood, who He actually is.

So when we read this commandment, we need to understand, “You shall not take the name [which stands for the person] of the LORD your God in vain.”

The word vain means empty, purposeless, false, or futile. Most of us interpret this as “Don’t say God’s Name flippantly.” But taking the Name of the Lord in vain is not just verbal, actually, the concept of speech isn’t even in the text. Though we can certainly blaspheme the Lord by what we say, to “take God’s Name” means to lift, carry, or bear, just as the high priest, Aaron, would bear the names of the twelve tribes before God in the Holy Place. (see Exodus 28:9–12). The concept in commandment #3 is actually, representation. So how are you representing God to your family, friends, co-workers, and the world?

If you’ve embraced Jesus Christ by faith for your forgiveness, then you bear a Name. You represent Him. To take the Name of the Lord in vain is to misrepresent Him. If you call yourself a Christian, then you must represent Christ accurately and respect Him totally.

“You shall not take [carry, represent] the name [the reputation] of the LORD your God in vain [without purpose, inaccurately, in an empty way].” God’s not good with that. He won’t ever be.

Let’s get practical. This begins in your closest, most important human relationships. If you want to represent Christ and bear His Name accurately and purposefully, then you must do that in your marriage, in your home, with your family, with your children, with those closest to you.

You represent Jesus Christ to your spouse, children, family, friends, and co-workers. As author and theologian Elton Trueblood noted, “The worst blasphemy is not profanity, but lip service.” Jesus critiqued, “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.” (Matthew 15:8). Moving lips don’t equal a Christ-honoring life.

Are you representing the Lord well? Are you getting this right in the relationships that matter most? In your marriage, you should bear the name of Jesus Christ to one another. Don’t bear His Name in vain. In your home, you bear the name of Jesus to your children and other family members. You bear the Name of Jesus to your co-workers. Do they love Jesus more for having watched you? If not, are you bearing His name in vain? Your life shouts a message to your co-workers and the world about “the name that is above every name.” (Philippians 2:9b).

Every time we fail to represent Christ accurately, we break the third commandment. We need to remember we are carrying a name, Jesus’ Name, so let’s carry it well.

How well are you representing the Lord and bearing the name of Jesus in your closest relationships? What message is your life shouting to your co-workers and the world?

“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever.” (1 Timothy1:17).

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, I want to hold Your Name in the highest regard. I want to represent Your Reputation with purpose because “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” (Revelation 4:1). Help me to enlarge my understanding of what it means to bear Your Name—not just with my words but with my actions too. Please forgive me for bearing Your Name in vain, and teach me how to live out this command on a daily basis. I do not want to blaspheme Jesus with my speech or conduct. I want Jesus, who is the King of kings and Lord of lords to be honored in every one of my relationships. Father, I pray that you equip me with every good thing for doing Your Will and representing Your Name properly, and work in me what is pleasing to You, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. (Hebrews13:20-21). Help me to live out what St. Francis said, “Preach the Bible at all times. When necessary use words.” In the Name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.