Commandment #3: “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.” (Exodus 20:7)

This commandment is one of the most misunderstood, yet it is one of the most easily broken. One of the obvious ways it is broken is when God’s name is invoked in profanity. Yet, His name is often taken in vain in church.

The phrase in vain describes that which is empty, idle, insincere, or frivolous. God’s name must never be used in an empty, frivolous, or insincere way. When we say, “God bless you” or “Praise the Lord,” we need to make sure that these are heartfelt and sincere statements.

Perhaps the most terrible and subtle form of breaking this commandment is through hypocrisy. In Luke 6:46, Jesus asked, “‘Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?'” The hypocrisy of the church is far worse than the profanity in the church. To pray and not to practice, to believe and not to obey, to say “Lord, Lord,” and not do what He says—this is to take His name in vain.