When we read the third commandment in Exodus 20:7 (and Deuteronomy 5:11) it appears simple enough: “thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain.” This particular command is fixed as the scriptural anchor for not using God’s name as a profanity.
I think there is more being addressed here than wrong “use” of God’s name, especially since the command is to not “take” God’s name in vain. What does it mean to “take” one’s name as your own? It means there is a claim to identity. When Amanda became by wife, I took her hand and she took my name. This was not only a traditional change but also a legally binding change.
Furthermore, what’s in a name? What meaning or identity comes from a name? The Bible says a “good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, (Proverbs 22:1).” We can’t shake the reality that names have meaning. People tend to value and protect their good name. In the past young people were admonished to behave in a way that was becoming of their name. One’s name carried with it respect or disrespect, provoked warm thoughts or brought up old wounds.
The Lord has many names that help us understand his person and character, and in the New Testament there were a group of believers who were called Christians because they resembled Christ in character and preached his gospel, (Acts 11:26). For those that came up with it, Christian was a term of derision, but for the disciple and follower of Christ it was not, (1 Peter 4:16). To take the Lord’s name and be identified with him was something for which to glorify God.
Are you a Christian? By that I am not referring to your politics, economics, or worldview. I simply mean, have you repented and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour? Are you born again? If so, very good! Praise the Lord. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new, (2 Corinthians 5:17). With salvation comes the promise and work of sanctification. As we grow and yield to the Holy Spirit he leads and guides us into all truth found in the Word of God. We change and our lives begin to resemble Christ’s. Others may begin to mark the growth and change and identify or even call us a Christian. When we accept that name we are declaring ourselves to be disciples and followers of Christ.
This is where the third commandment comes to bear. If we are going to be disciples of Christ and are going to “take his name,” we ought not take it in vain. We ought not take it lightly, but take it seriously. I suspect if you’re reading this blog you probably already do, but as we continue to grow and teach others what it means to be a Christian, we must communicate the weight of importance that comes with identifying with Christ. Let’s not take his name in vain.
-C.R.
Onward & Upward 
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