Title The Ten Commandments: The Third Commandment
Contents 3rd Commandment (Exodus 20:7)
A name is representative of a person's personality. Hope is contained in that name. Then, what kind of personality does the name of God we call and believe in? Today, through the third commandment of the Ten Commandments, we will find out why.
1. Meaning of name
(1) First, the name means representativeness.
The name should represent the essence well. Because later, because of the name, the essence is misled and exalted. The brand name of each company and their corporate image have become very important. That is, the substance and the name have a close relationship.
(2) Second, the name means value.
The more valuable it is, the more spoof the name. Knowing the value of the name, the fake comes out. Even today there are countless names of gods. There are many idols. Instead of the name of the true God, the most common names would be idol gods.
⑶ Therefore, it is necessary to think about why Jehovah God must be glorified the most, and why his name must be honored. Why did God say, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.” You will have to think about why you said that.
1. The third commandment: the name of the LORD (v. 7)
(1) Sinners are afraid and trembling when they call on the name of God.
In Genesis chapters 1 and 2 of the Bible, ‘Elohim’ is spoken of as the name of the Creator, but in the Near East at the time, it was called another god. In ancient Near Eastern creation tales, a god named Marduk also appears. So it was very important for the Israelites to prove that “the Lord Himself is the true God,” and no other gods in the world. That is why the prophet Elijah had to fight all the priests of foreign gods on Mount Carmel. Who is the true God? In the end, God answered Elijah's prayer and showed that Jehovah is the true God by sending fire from heaven. It is an indescribable blessing from God that we today are able to call on God's name as we wish (Romans 10:13).
Nor should we abuse the holy name of God. People borrowed the name of God when swearing. However, some people have made false oaths in the name of God. Because this is so common, Jesus said not to swear (Matthew 5:34-37).
Look at the periodic table! Isn't it written to glorify God and pray? (Matt. 6:9) Usually, the word 'worse' refers to 'a state in which words and actions are not normal because of old age or a clouded mind'. However, the third commandment is interpreted broadly to mean ‘in vain’ and ‘in vain, carelessly’.
(2) Things that take the name of the Lord in vain (v. 7a).
Because God is holy, so is God's name. Just as we do not arbitrarily speak of an adult’s Hamza, the name of God the Father is holy, so whoever is man is like God, we like God, we hate God, we believe, we do not believe, we must not put God’s name in our mouths. It's possible. But if you look carefully at today's text of the Bible, you are using the possessive case, saying, "You are in the name of the LORD your God." In other words, those who do not believe in God will not even be called your God. It is a commandment given to those who believe.
⑶ I will not say that I am innocent (v. 7b).
Although the image of God was forbidden to Israel (Second Commandment; Exodus 20:4), God's name was revealed to praise God and to pray by calling on His name. The precious name of God the Creator is an object of praise and prayer, not a means to any other human end. Taking another person's name is considered a social crime, and if you use God's name, that sin will be difficult to forgive. If God's name is mentioned at the end of every word and another human and worldly purpose is hidden behind it, it is stealing God's name. If we repent of our sins and turn back, God will forgive us. However, in the Ten Commandments, it was said that God does not forget and remembers the violation of the third commandment. The sin that hangs on God's honor is that God remembers and is angry. Taking God's name in vain prevents God's blessing (Malachi 3:13). Blessed are those who honor the name of God (Malachi 3:16).
3. How can we truly avoid taking Jehovah's name in vain?
(1) First, do not use God's name for your own purposes.
Do not use the name of God for your own purposes. In the history of the Bible, there have been many instances of stealing the name of God according to one's own purpose. Some people even try to buy the power of the Holy Spirit with money, burn incense while burning incense with another fire and die all over again, and there are many ugly things in the history of the church that have been done in the name of countless churches. The same is true in the church. There are plenty of ways to use God's name for your own purposes in the church. It is a mixture of worldly purpose and God's purpose.
(2) Second, it is the question of whether God's honor is tarnished in our lives.
We are children of God. Wherever we go, we are called Christians. Whether we like it or not, we are expected to represent our Heavenly Father wherever we are. If a child makes a mistake, the physical parent's name may be tainted. Likewise, depending on how we live our lives, God's name may be defiled or God's name will be more respected. “You shall not take the name of Jehovah in vain.” is expressed in a negative way, but more positively, meaning “that the name of the Lord may be exalted more gloriously.” Whether we profane God's name or exalt God's name, we choose to live.
In Matthew 7, it is recorded that in the last days, even if many people perform miracles and miracles in the name of the Lord in the last days, they will be surprised at the last judgment day (Matthew 7:22). We can do power in the name of the Lord. However, it was that he performed a power that had nothing to do with the Lord. He is rebuking him for doing so because he intercepted the glory of God. It means that we must do God's will (Matthew 7:21). In other words, we must live a life that glorifies God. Power and authority are important, but it shouldn't be a matter of making a name for yourself. By what can we discern “whether it is for our own glory or the glory of God”? You can tell if you listen to the word of God and live by professing your faith.
We need someone who lives a life worthy of that confession. That's right. Who should not take Jehovah's name in vain now? ‘The name of the LORD your God’. That is, my confession of faith in God is important.
Why should we do our best in this world? It is for the glory of God, so that the name of the Lord may be exalted. If you confess it, you must have this thought. “If I don’t, God the Father will be humiliated.” If you do not live your life to the fullest in this world, Heavenly Father is ashamed. That is the motivation for our holy, healthy life. We can do our best when we feel that our Heavenly Father is ashamed if we can't do it.
God's name is a name to be glorified.
May God's name be exalted anytime, anywhere. Living to the best of your ability is to keep the third commandment. God is omnipresent. God is always with us. You must always live consciously of God. And God is to be glorified. Therefore, I must present myself to God as an instrument to reveal His glory.
Ministry: Let's make a decision to live by exalting and praising God's name.