To Stop Misusing the Holy Name of God

THE THIRD COMMANDMENT

You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name.

What is the aim of the third commandment?

That I neither blaspheme nor misuse the name of God

• by cursing, perjury, or unnecessary oaths,
• nor share in such horrible sins 
• by being a silent bystander.

In summary,

• I should use the holy name of God
• only with reverence and awe,
• so that I may properly
• confess God,
• pray to God, 
• and glorify God in all my words and works.

Is blasphemy of God's name by swearing and cursing 

• really such a serious sin
• that God is angry also with those
• who do not do all they can 
• to help prevent and forbid it?

Yes, indeed.

• No sin is greater
• or provokes God's wrath more
• than blaspheming his name.
• That is why God commanded it to be punished with death.

For the Bible Tells Me So...

James 5:12 — But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. 

Psalm 8:1 — O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. 

Psalm 99:2-3 — The Lord is great in Zion; he is exalted over all the peoples. 3 Let them praise your great and awesome name! Holy is he! 

Leviticus 19:12 — You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord. 

Matthew 10:32-33 — So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. 

Romans 10:9-10 — because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

The Heidelberg Catechism Lord's Day 36