Catechism Question 58
What is the third commandment, and what does it teach us?
The third commandment is “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.” It teaches us that we must not misuse or profane God’s name with our words or actions, but rather honor and fear God’s name with them.
Focus and Purpose of this Question
This question focuses on the third commandment. In this commandment we are learning the proper attitude with which we must approach Yahweh and bear His name as His people. It is not enough that we worship Him alone, and do it in a proper biblical manner – we must have the right attitude in worship, and our actions must line up with our worship.
It is important that we understand what this command is actually speaking about when it speaks of misusing God’s name. While it certainly includes using God’s name in a disrespectful manner as part of a curse, it includes much more than that. God’s name, which represents God Himself, is misused or profaned whenever people empty it of its grandeur and glory by using it in an empty manner. (This is what the word “vain” means – something that is empty or worthless.)
However, it is not just words that can misuse or profane God’s names. The same thing happens whenever God’s people’s words or actions bring disrepute to God rather than honor. If our words and lives do not line up with our profession of faith, we bring dishonor to God’s name – we empty it of its value and thus misuse or profane it.
Once again, the opposite idea is also included. It is not enough to avoid misusing or profaning God’s name; we must positively honor it. This is what Jesus teaches us in the first part of the Lord’s Prayer – we are to pray and work so that God’s name will be honored.
Thus, the third command really deals with the attitude of true worship. We must worship only God (first command), we must worship as He desires and commands (second command), and we must have the right attitude – desiring to honor and reverence God’s name rather than misusing and profaning it.
This is no small matter. God’s name is holy, and thus He warns that there is grave danger for those who misuse that name. Men may think it is no big deal, but God takes it very seriously.
Additional Questions:
What is the third commandment? What does it teach us?
What is the third commandment? What does it forbid us from doing? What does it teach us to do?
Scripture References:
Exodus 20:7
You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
Deuteronomy 5:11
You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
Matthew 6:9
This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…”
Malachi 1:11, 14
“My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to my name, because my name will be great among the nations,” says the Lord Almighty…. 14 “Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord. For I am a great king,” says the Lord Almighty, “and my name is to be feared among the nations.”
Leviticus 18:21
Do not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the Lord.
Leviticus 24:11
The son of the Israelite woman blasphemed the Name with a curse; so they brought him to Moses.
Romans 2:24
As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”
1 Timothy 6:1
All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered.
John 17:6
I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.
Questions for Further Discussion:
What does the third commandment teach us? What does it actually forbid?
Is misusing the name of God referring to using God’s name in a curse? Does it include more than that as well?
Can we misuse, profane, and empty God’s name of its glory by our actions? What type of actions would do this?
How can we honor God’s name by our words and actions?
What warning does God add to the end of this command? Why do you think God adds this warning?
Additional Information:
This question is based on questions 99-102 of the Heidelberg Catechism, questions 53-56 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, and question 9 of the New City Catechism. Any resources you find on the Heidelberg, Westminster Shorter, or New City Catechisms will have a good discussion on this question.
For additional information, see the teachings “Praying to Our Father in Heaven” (January 5, 2014), and the teachings series “Names of God” (July-October, 2009).
Suggested Worship Song:
Your Great Name (Natalie Grant)
Lost are saved find their way at the sound of your great name
All condemned feel no shame at the sound of your great name
Every fear has no place at the sound of your great name
The enemy—he has to leave at the sound of your great name
[Chorus:]
Jesus,
Worthy is the Lamb
That was slain for us,
Son of God and Man
You are high and lifted up and all the world will praise your great name
All the weak find their strength at the sound of your great name
Hungry souls receive grace at the sound of your great name
The fatherless—they find their rest at the sound of your great name
The sick are healed and the dead are raised at the sound of your great name
[Chorus:]
[Bridge:]
Redeemer, My Healer,Lord Almighty
My Savior, Defender, You are My King
[Chorus:]
Jesus,
The name of Jesus,
You are high and lifted up and all the world will praise your great name
Jesus,
Worthy is the Lamb
That was slain for us,
Son of God and Man
You are high and lifted up and all the world will praise your great name, your great name,
your great name
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.