The 3rd Commandment, Ex 20:7 1. "Be careful of Holy, Sacred things", specifically the Lord's name. 2. God's name (Yahweh) is sacred (see footnote at very bottom) Ps 111:9 Neh 9:5 Ps 8:1 Act 4:12 a. It shouldn't be trifled with or treated contemptuously. b. It is not a "magic" word, yet it is sacred and holy. c. Don't use God's name in a vain oath. d. In scripture, names were very important (Eve, Abraham, Jesus, Peter) 3. Things forbidden by the 3rd commandment a. False oaths in the name of the Lord, Lev 19:12 (1) Don't use My name in a vain oath. (2) Keep your word, Heb 6:16 (3) It is proper to use God's name with legitimate oaths such as marriage, court Gal 1:20, Phil 1:8 (4) It is wrong to use God's name with trivial things. (5) Promises are sacred, not to be broken -- Your word is your bond. a. husband-wife promise fidelity b. children where going, who with, etc. c. debts d. commitments. b. 3rd commandment forbids personal irreverence toward God. (1) when weighed down with grief, etc, curse God, or blame Him. (2) Job 1:22; 2:9-10 c. Prohibits the use of God's name to voice unholy feelings. (1) after shock, grief, etc. "Oh God!" "Oh Jesus" "Oh Christ" (2) to use holy name as an exclaimation is NOT appropriate (3) because of anger, some call on God to damm someone else. (4) why do we need to use God's name, or sound-alikes this way? d. Hypocrisy is also condemned here (1) When we profess the name of Christian, yet live like the rest of the world, that dishonors the name of God. (2) Matt 23:23-26 I Pet 4:14-19 (3) To wear God's Holy name is special -- do not take it lightly! e. Your heart must be clean to keep your mouth clean. Matt 15:18 Matt 12:36,37 Conclusion: 1. Now, examine your life in respect to these two commands a. Do you have a clear vision of God? Open your eyes. b. Is your mouth foul and profane? Clean it up. 2. Let's all: a. Get our priorities right b. Get a clear vision of God c. Be careful of Holy Things (the above three is natural succession) FOOTNOTE: from Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia Yahweh. This is the most significant name of God found in the Old Testament in that it is the personal proper name Israel had for their God. For this reason, in post-Exilic times it began to be considered so holy that it was never pronounced. Instead, usually the term Adonai was substituted ... Strictly speaking, this is the only personal name of God belonging to Him alone. When Moses asked God what was the significance of His name, He replied, "I am that I am; and he said, Thus shall you say to the children of Israel, I am hath sent me to you" (Ex 3:14). Thus God revealed to Moses what was the very inner meaning of His name as Yahweh. =END=