The Third Commandment of the Law of God

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.”

This commandment forbids the irreverent use of God’s name, for example: in empty conversations and jokes. Sins against the third commandment include: swearing (i.e., frivolous use of an oath), blasphemy, sacrilege, breaking vows made to God, perjury, and calling upon God as a witness in trivial everyday matters.

The name of God must be pronounced with fear and reverence, because it possesses the greatest power. Nature obeys human words when the name of God is invoked, as evidenced by numerous accounts in the Bible. The Book of the Acts of the Holy Apostles tells of many miracles and expulsions of demons performed in the name of Christ. Therefore, the name of God should be used with collected thoughts — in prayer and in serious conversation about God. The use of His name in an oath or solemn vow is permitted only in exceptionally important cases (Heb. 6:16–17).

The name of God, when invoked with attention and reverence in prayer, attracts God’s grace to a person, brings light to the mind and joy to the heart. Under no circumstances should one allow oneself to make jokes or engage in casual conversations in church.