Third Commandment: You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
LORD’S DAY 36
99. What is required in the third commandment?
That we must not by cursing,1Leviticus 24:10-16 or by false swearing,2Leviticus 19:12 nor yet by unnecessary oaths,3Matthew 5:37; James 5:12 profane or abuse the name of God; nor even by our silence and connivance be partakers of these horrible sins in others; and in summary, that we use the holy name of God in no other way than with fear and reverence,4Isaiah 45:23 so that He may be rightly confessed5Matthew 10:32 and worshipped61 Timothy 2:8 by us, and be glorified in all our words and works.7Romans 2:24; 1 Timothy 6:1; Colossians 3:16-17; 1 Peter 3:15
100. Is the profaning of God’s name, by swearing and cursing, so grievous a sin, that His wrath is kindled against those also who do not help as much as they can to hinder and forbid it?
Yes, truly,8Leviticus 5:1 for no sin is greater and more provoking to God than the profaning of His name; wherefore He even commanded it to be punished with death.9Leviticus 24:15-16; Leviticus 19:12; Proverbs 29:24-25