Taking God’s Name Seriously
Heidelberg Catechism: Lord’s Day 36, Q&A 99-100.
Scripture Texts: Exodus 20:7; Exodus 3:13-15
“Excuse my French.” You know the phrase, you have heard it often and you know what it means. It’s our cute little cover up for letting slip some expletive or profanity. Of course everyone knows very well that the swear word is in perfectly understandable English.
We live in an increasingly foul, coarse, crude, rude, expletive-filled world. You hear it at the mall, on the ski slopes, in the hallways at school, in the cubicles at the office and out in the shop at work. It fills the airways, the computer screens, social media and the printed page.
Swearing is becoming more and more common place. More adults, more women, more kids and even children. Children are growing up with it more and more in the home and in life.
Sometimes we let loose a word to appear cool, or hip or worldly-wise or secular than thou. Often such words are used more for effect than for meaning.
The air in our culture is getting bluer and bluer. TV and movies push the limits. But one word is no longer particularly concerning. It is rather telling about the time we live in that TV and movie ratings don’t give serious consideration in their rating when God’s name is taken in vain.
And yet Scripture teaches us that, “the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.” And “Whoever blasphemes the name of the Lord shall surely be put to death” (Leviticus 24:16).
The first two commandments claim for God exclusive worship. True worship must be given to no other god, and to no man-made object or substitute for God. The first two commandments establish true religion in our hearts, that our hearts are not divided, we love only the one true God and we love Him and worship Him with our heart and not objects or images or idols.
Scripture teaches, “Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45).
The Third Commandment addresses our mouth. What comes out of our mouths reflects what is in our hearts. Our words are to reflect our worship and what we worship.
We turn now from honoring God with our actions, with our head and heart, to honoring God with our lips. Now we come to the commandment which prohibits any misuse of the name of God. The Third Commandment separates God and God’s name out from the rest of our speech.
While we may not take our speech seriously or may dismiss our words as meaning nothing, God takes His name very seriously and He takes promises and oaths very seriously.
To understand this commandment we first need to take it a part and make sure we understand the meaning of the words. To misunderstand the words may lead to misusing them and misapplying them.