To Bear God’s Name is to Represent Him in Word, Action, and Aim
FOCUS TEXT: Exodus 20:7
In week four of our journey through the Ten Commandments, we come to a command that goes beyond mere words—it speaks to our very identity. The third commandment warns us not to treat God’s name as empty, false, or a tool for our own ends. It confronts shallow religion that honors God with lips while denying Him in life. Before giving this command, God reminds us of His rescuing love (Exod. 20:2)—He sets His grace upon us so that the law becomes a window into the life of the God who has already redeemed us.
Truth #1: God’s Name Reveals His Nature—and Demands Our Reverence — In Scripture, names unveil character. “LORD” (Yahweh) means “He Is”—the eternal, holy, self-existent One. Through Israel’s history, God expands this name (Exod. 34), declaring Himself merciful, faithful, and just. Other divine names—Jehovah-Jireh, Jehovah-Rapha, Jehovah-Shalom—reveal His power to provide, heal, and bring peace. To misuse His name is to treat the holy as ordinary; to hallow His name is to live in awe of who He is.
Truth #2: Bearing God’s Name in Vain Is Hypocrisy, Not Just Profanity — The Hebrew words “take… in vain” literally mean “carry… empty.” This command confronts spiritual pretense—those who carry God’s name on their lips but deny Him by their deeds. We can post verses online, pray in public, even preach, yet profane His name when our lives contradict His character. True integrity aligns speech, choices, and character with the God whose name we bear.
Truth #3: God’s Jealousy for His Name Is Holy, Just, and Merciful — God declares Himself a jealous God—not petty, but protective of His glory and our good. He will “not hold him guiltless” who misuses His name, underscoring the seriousness of spiritual fraud. Yet His covenant jealousy also points us to grace: through discipline He restores us (Ezek. 36), pouring out His Spirit to renew our hearts.
Truth #4: Jesus Redeems Name-Bearers and Restores True Worship — We’ve all broken this command, yet the name we profaned is the name that saves. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Rom. 10:13). In Christ, forgiveness and transformation meet: we are baptized into His name, empowered by His Spirit to live and witness with holiness. Grace is not a license to sin, but the fuel for faithful, Spirit-led obedience.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:
How has the world or even the church profaned God’s name in your sphere?
In what ways might your words or actions fail to reflect the holiness of Yahweh?
What would it look like to bear His name with renewed reverence this week?
PRAYER RESPONSE: Father, forgive us for carrying Your name in vain. Renew our hearts by Your Spirit, that our words and deeds would honor the holy name of Jesus. Teach us to live and worship with integrity, for Your glory and our good. Amen.
MEMORY VERSE: “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain…” — Exodus 20:7
