You shall not take the name of the Lord,
your God, in vain.
For God will not hold him guiltless that
takes His name in Vain.
Briefly stated that means that we should fear and love God that we may
not curse, swear, use witchcraft, lie, or deceive by His name, but call upon it
in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks.
The first commandment taught us that our faith must be in God alone, and
because Christ is God only those who trust in Christ can truly obey that
commandment. This commandment teaches us that when we truly trust in God, we
will honor Him with our lips and tongue. In other words, if our heart is right
our words will also be right for our words reveal what is in our heart.
Therefore, true obedience to this, and every other commandment, must stem from
faith in Christ, not from faith in our own ability and works.
The second commandment forbids the misuse of God's name. Such misuse
occurs whenever God's name is used to cover up, promote, or endorse evil. We
are not to use God's name for purposes of falsehood or wrong of any kind. God's
name must never be used in a careless, vindictive, or thoughtless way; nor is
it to be appealed to as witness to what is not true, as is done when those who
swear in court to tell the truth lie against each other.
While it is impossible to enumerate all
of the ways in which God's name is misused, such misuse happens often in
everyday business, in the marketplace as well as in court. Whenever money,
property, or honor is at stake, men make false oaths in God's name. It is also
true in marriage, when those who have pledged themselves to each other before
God break that pledge. However, the greatest abuse occurs in spiritual matters,
whenever false preachers offer their lies and ideology as God's Word.
Those who lack the fear of God love to use God's name to cover up their
own sins. They put on a pretty show, whether in business or in matters of faith
and doctrine. Among them also belong the foul- mouthed, those who blaspheme
God, and those who slander His Word or consign it to the devil. They all claim
to be right and disgrace God's name without fear. Such men are not for us, but
for the hangman to discipline.
We should realize the importance of
this commandment, take it seriously, and dread every misuse of the Holy Name.
Learn to diligently guard against abuse of God's name, and regard such use of
it as a horrendous sin. Lying and deceiving is a great sin in itself, but it
becomes much greater when we when we use God's name to excuse it, cover it up,
or justify it. By using God's name as a cloak for sin, a single lie results in
many lies.
God
did not add a serious threat to this commandment only to take it lightly.
"The Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh
His name in vain." He is not going to condone such sin or allow it to pass
unpunished. All who turn their heart from God will face His judgment, for He is
not going to allow His name to be used as cover for a lie. Those who put on an
outward show of piety to cover their dishonesty and immorality shall not
escape. However, the sad tragedy is that so many abuse
the name of God to cover lies and wickedness; while so few trust in God alone
for salvation.
We all, by nature, see the need to cover up our sin, adorn it, and hide
it. There are few so depraved that they would boast of a sin, and none who will
admit all of the wicked things they have done, much less boast about them. We
cover up wickedness because we know that it deserves condemnation. We act by
stealth and hide the truth because we do not want people to know what we have
done. However, when God is dragged into the affair, and His name is used to
make the villainy look like godliness and the shame look like honor, the sin is
made greater not less. There is only one thing that will truly cover sin and
that is the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Yet the way of this world is to trust
in deception rather than Christ, and in lies rather than in God's mercy (John
Therefore, our young people should be trained to take this commandment
seriously, and whenever they transgress they need to be disciplined. Explain to
them why it is important to be respectful of God's name. Use punishment when
necessary, but bring them up not only with punishment, but also in the
reverence and fear of God.
In summary, God's name is taken in vain whenever it is used to deceive,
curse, swear, conjure, or in connection with any other wickedness.
Having learned what constitutes abuse of God's name, we must learn the
right use of God's name. By forbidding the wrong use of His name, God lets us
know that there is indeed a right use of His name. He has revealed that name
and given it to us, so that it might be of constant use and profit. Since we
are forbidden to use the holy name for falsehood or wickedness, it follows that
we are only to employ it for truth and good. One example might be when we swear
to the truth in court. Another example would be when we use God's name in
connection with sound doctrine. God's name is also used aright when it is
praised and thanked, or when we cry out to God in time of
distress. As it is written, "Call upon Me
in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt
glorify Me" (Psalm 50:15). When we pray, "Hallowed be Thy name",
we are asking that God's name so be used in a godly and right way (Luke 11:2).
Thus you have the commandment explained. With this understanding, the
question of why The Apostle Paul and other men of God often swore, when swearing
is prohibited in the Gospel, is easily solved. Many teachers have troubled
themselves over that question when the solution is really quite simple. The key
issue is whether God's name is being used for good or for evil. We are not to
swear when there is no real need to, or in support of falsehood and evil. Yet,
when necessary, we should swear in support of truth, justice, and the good of
our neighbor. For the right use of God's name is a good work by which God is
praised, truth and right are established, falsehood is refuted, peace is made
among men, obedience is rendered, and quarrels are settled. God makes a clear
distinction between right and wrong, and good and evil. Those who abuse God's
name shall not escape punishment, though it may be deferred a long time. All
that they may gain by abusing God's name will slip out of their hands, and they
will never enjoy it. Many who perjured themselves in their marriage-vows, have
never had a happy hour or a healthful day, and perish wretched in body, soul,
and possessions.
Therefore, let the children be trained to shun falsehood, and especially
to avoid the use of God's name in the support of falsehood. If necessary use
warnings, threats, and punishments; but never let them grow up thinking that
abuse of God's name of little consequence. If they are allowed to do as they
please, no good will come of it. It should be evident that the world is now
worse than it has ever been. Abuse of God's name goes unpunished. As a result
hearts are hardened, and all teaching or reproof is
ignored. Such indifference to God's Word is in itself a punishment for wanton
contempt of this commandment.
On the other hand, young people should be constantly guided to honor
God's name, to think about His will in everything that may happen to them or
come to their notice, and to talk to Him about every problem. That is the
right way to honor God's name. We are to look to God's name seeking, guidance,
wisdom, understanding, and consolation. By faith our heart first gives God the
honor due Him, then our lips honor Him by confession.
When we trust in God's mercy, and
commit ourselves to His care, Satan; who would love to bring us into sin,
shame, calamity, and trouble; cannot harm us. I have learned by experience that
great calamity is quickly averted and removed when we call upon God. Therefore,
to thwart the devil, keep your thoughts upon God and His name upon your lips.
Daily commit yourself, your wife, your children, and all that you have to
God's care and protection. Start your day with prayer, pray before meals, and
end your day with prayer. Learn to say, "Praise the Lord!", or,
"Help me dear Lord Jesus!" etc., as the occasion warrants. In that
way keep God before your eyes, and His name upon your lips. Such behavior is
far more pleasing to God than idolatrous prayer to saints, and the Christ
denying sanctity of the monks.
Teach your children by example to fear and honor God. Be consistent in
your observance of the first and second commandments. Let them see how
seriously you take God's Word, and how respectful you are of God's name.
Explain to them why it is important to treat God's name respectfully. Train
them with kindness and patience, for those taught only with blows will remain
godly only as long as the rod is upon their backs. The result will be only
good, and those who learn as a child to honor God in thought, word, and deed
will be a blessing to the entire nation.
When children are trained in this way, God's Word takes root in the
heart, and they learn to fear God more than rods and clubs. Present the truth
to them simply, that it may penetrate their minds. When we are teaching small
children, we must also prattle with them. In this way we prevent abuse and
teach the right use of the divine name. A use that consists
not only of words, but also of what we do and how we live our life. We
know that this is the will of God, and that He will bless the proper use of His
name while punishing the abuse.
[The above is based upon, and
closely follows, Martin Luther's explanation of the Second Commandment.]