Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ Jesus,
I grew up with the taught understanding that violating the third commandment was to use God’s or Jesus’ name with a swear or curse word(s). While this is true, what I came to learn with in-depth study really shocked me and immediately caused me to review my thinking and my speech. It also explained why God’s authority didn’t seem to be working as it should in me. I was not getting the consistent results which I’m entitled to under the authority and power of Jesus’ Name in the New Covenant.
Exodus 20:7
Thou shalt not take the name of The LORD thy God in vain; for The LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.
Let’s examine Exodus 20:7 by looking at several of The Words in the Hebrew language. We’ll start by looking at The Word “name.”
“Name” = Hebrew word “shem,” which according to Strong’s means, “a person’s identity, reputation, or character. In the biblical context, a name often carries significant meaning, reflecting the nature or destiny of the individual or entity it represents. “Shem” can also refer to the fame or renown of a person, as well as the authority or power associated with a name.” In essence, “shem” refers to the character and reputation of the one who carries it.
“Vain” = Hebrew word “shav’,” which means, “vanity, emptiness, falsehood, worthlessness.” Strong’s goes further to say, “the Hebrew word “shav’” primarily conveys the idea of vanity or emptiness. It is often used to describe actions, words, or objects that are futile, deceptive, or lacking in substance. In the context of the Ten Commandments, it is used to prohibit taking the Lord’s name in vain, emphasizing the seriousness of using God’s name with reverence and truthfulness.” In other words, we are not to use God’s Name in an “empty or in an untrue manner.”
“Will Hold [Him] Guiltless” = Hebrew word “naqah,” which means, “to be clean, to be free, to be innocent, to be exempt.” Again, Strong’s goes further to say, “the Hebrew verb “naqah” primarily conveys the idea of being clean or free from guilt, punishment, or obligation. It is often used in contexts where innocence is declared or where a person is absolved from blame or penalty. The term can also imply being exempt from a duty or responsibility.”
It is important to note The Word “not” in the phrase, “will hold him guiltless….” The Lord “will not hold him guiltless.” This means God will not hold guiltless the one that uses His Name in vain. We need to understand whatever words we speak, if they misrepresent God, His Name, His Word, and His character, we are not guiltless. Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 12:37. Our words either justify us or condemn us. If our words are not in line with God’s Word, His Name, and His character, we have spoken “evil, vain, and idle” words.
“Taketh” = “take” = the Hebrew word “nasa’,” which means, “to lift, carry, bear, take, forgive.” Strong’s deeper look says, “the Hebrew verb “nasa’” primarily means to lift, carry, or bear. It is used in various contexts, including physically lifting or carrying objects, bearing burdens, and metaphorically bearing sins or guilt. It also conveys the idea of taking away or removing, often in the context of forgiveness. In the Berean Standard Bible, “nasa’” is frequently translated as “lift,” “carry,” “bear,” or “forgive.” In simplest terms, this Word is telling us, “we carry or bear The Name of God in us.”
The third commandment speaks to my position in Christ Jesus, to my authority and power in Christ, and to Christ’s authority and power in me. In reviewing Exodus 20:7 and considering the Hebrew definitions of The Words in the verse, we can simply boil it down to this: we are the carriers of The Name of God, and we cannot say “I am” anything UNLESS it’s in line with God’s Name, God’s character, and God’s Word. ANYTHING else is vanity. We take God’s name in vain every time we say something about ourselves, about others, or about God that He is not.
As mentioned earlier, when I learned what this commandment truly meant, I was taken aback. How many times had I taken God’s Name in vain? In simplest terms, “taking God’s Name in vain” is to attribute anything to God and His character that is not true. I was really struck by the deeper meaning of vain when it said, “It is often used to describe actions, words, or objects that are futile, deceptive, or lacking in substance.” Oh my! Let’s see how this definition sheds light on The Name of God. We are told in Ephesians 3:14-15 that we, as Believers, carry The Name of God in us.
Ephesians 3:14-15
14 For this cause I bow my knees unto The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 Of Whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
What does it mean to carry The Name of God in us? Let’s do a quick scratch of the surface of God’s Name. As we do this, we need to remember, as Believers, in Genesis 1:26, we are made in the image and likeness of the Godhead. This means we carry The Name, The Image, and The Likeness of the Godhead in us – in The Spirit in us.
Exodus 3:13-14
13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is His Name? what shall I say unto them?
14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and He said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
When Moses asked God what name he should use as a reference when speaking to the children of Israel, God replied, “I AM THAT I AM.” The Hebrew Rabbi’s and Hebrew language state that God, “Yahweh,” is saying, “I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE.” Whatever we need God to be for us as El Shaddai, God will be it, consistent with His character.
“I AM” = Hebrew word “hayah,” which means, “to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen.” Strong’s deeper meaning tells us, “in ancient Hebrew culture, the concept of being was not merely about static existence but involved dynamic action and purpose. The verb “hayah” reflects this understanding, emphasizing the active presence and involvement of God in the world. The use of “hayah” in the context of God’s name (YHWH) underscores His eternal, self-existent nature, distinguishing Him from the gods of surrounding nations.”
Do we remember Jesus’ reply to the Temple soldiers sent to arrest Jesus in the evening of the day of His trial and crucifixion? When Jesus identified with the Great I AM, The Creator and The Judge, sin and evil was knocked to the ground. Notice the disciples were not knocked to the ground when Jesus spoke it. The authority and power of “I AM” manifested when Jesus spoke.
John 18:6
As soon then as He [Jesus] had said unto them, I AM He, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
How could Jesus say, “I AM?” Because, like us, He had The Spirit of God in Him. We are joint heirs with Jesus Christ, which means anything and everything that belongs to Jesus belongs to us. If Jesus is “I AM,” so are we. We’re on a roll, another religious cow tipped over.
We, as Believers, are made in The Name, The Image, and The Likeness of God, Elohim, the plural God. We have the authority and power of God, Himself, through Jesus Christ. What a revelation! The Church is weak because it has an identity problem, which further translates to an authority and power problem. This further translates to the Church not manifesting the fruits of righteousness: deliverance, protection, healing and wholeness, and prosperity – IN THIS EARTH. This is why much of the world, especially in nations of wealth and affluence like the United States and Europe, want nothing to do with God and Jesus. The world hears all this big talk, but they see nothing in the walk. Jesus said to us in The Scriptures, where The Word is, there is power. Signs follow The Word to validate it to the world. Why don’t see signs or more signs in Churches that profess The Word? Maybe we should inventory ourselves in light of the revelation of the third commandment.
If we, as Believers, are made in The Name, in The Image, and in The Likeness of God, then we carry His Name, “I AM.” Therefore, any statement coming from our mouths should agree with The Name, The Word, and the character of God. I am healthy, I am joyful, I am prosperous, I am protected, I am delivered, I am powerful, I am rich, I am wise, I am strong, I am honored, I am glorified, I am blessed, I am a blessing, I have the mind of Christ, I have the Unction in me from The Holy One, I am as Christ is, I am seated at the right hand of God in Christ, I am victorious, I am more than a conqueror, I am a child of God, I am an heir of God, I am a joint-heir with Jesus Christ, I am fruitful, I am multiplying, I am replenishing, I am subduing, I am dominating, etc. The list goes and goes. This IS WHO WE ARE in Christ Jesus as a member of The Family of God.
Terri Savelle, the daughter of the late Jerry Savelle, and his wife Carol, said when you say something negative, or out of line with God’s Name, God’s Word, and God’s character, add the phrase “and that’s the way I like it” to the end of it.
I am sick and that’s the way I like it.
I am full of anxiety and that’s the way I like it.
I am financially struggling and that’s the way I like it.
My child is wayward and that’s the way I like it.
Wow! This puts a check in us because we are misusing and misrepresenting The Name of God. This is why our authority isn’t working. What a revelation. We’ve been making a lot of untrue statements about our God. This kills our faith. When we need to put faith to work for us, we have been speaking words against faith so much, we can’t muster the power of true faith. Faith works where faith is believed and confessed all the time.
If we want to see how serious God is about His Name and how we identify ourselves when carrying His Name, we can look to Moses as an example. In the Book of Exodus 17:6, God had Moses take his rod and strike the rock in Horeb from which water flowed to satisfy the thirst and save the children of Israel. The second time God told Moses to speak unto the rock at Kadesh in Numbers 20:8, and it shall give forth water. However, Moses and Aaron gathered the children of Israel and said to them in verse 10, “Must we fetch you water out of this rock?” Moses then struck the rock twice, in anger, with his rod. In verse 11 God tells Moses and Aaron, “because ye believed Me not, to sanctify Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.” Moses in his anger struck the rock, against the commandment of God, and misrepresented The Name and character of God.
The physical rock in Horeb (in the Sinai) and in Kadesh Spiritually represented Jesus Christ, the Savior and the Messiah. The Holy Spirit, through Paul, affirms this in I Corinthians 10:4.
I Corinthians 10:4
4 And did all drink the same Spiritual drink: for they drank of that Spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
Christ, the living Rock, provides living Spiritual water for God’s children. Jesus, Himself, affirms this in John 7:37-38 when He connects Himself, as the everlasting, living water, to the water than flowed from the rock in Horeb and in Kadesh.
John 7:37-38
37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink.
38 He that believeth on Me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
The first time God instructed Moses to strike the rock in Horeb, this was a type or picture of Jesus Who would be struck by death on the cross and punishment in Hell, for us, before His resurrection and seating at the right hand of God. Jesus would only need to die and resurrect once, for all, for all eternity. The second time God instructed Moses to speak to the rock in Kadesh. Jesus didn’t need to die twice or be struck a second time. This was a type or picture of how we speak to Jesus in faith and receive living waters from Him today. God was teaching the children of Israel what would later become Mark 11:23-24. It was a picture of the New Covenant that would happen thousands of years later.
God punished Moses for misrepresenting The Name and character of God when he disobeyed and struck the rock the second time. Moses was not allowed to go into the Promised Land nor to lead the people into the Promised Land because he violated the third commandment. The lesson in Moses’ example is found spoken by Jesus in Matthew 5:37 when He said:
Matthew 5:37
But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
Notice Moses’ communication in Numbers 20:10 when he said of Aaron and him, “Must we fetch you water out of this rock?” Moses then proceeded to strike the rock, twice, out of anger. We, as Believers, do this also when we don’t obey God. “We” don’t do anything. It is already done by God through Jesus. And we don’t have to worry about God striking us in anger because He already struck Jesus in His anger and wrath at the cross. God completed it all through Jesus. Moses added to what God told him to say and to do. Moses, in his thinking, decided to say what “he” thought and do what “he” wanted to do.
Ultimately, why do we take God’s Name in vain? Fear. Remember “fear” is an abbreviation for “false evidence appearing real.” When we’re in fear, we put more faith in the false evidence than the Spiritual Truth. Fear causes bondage which causes Spiritual blindness. When we are deceived, we don’t even realize it. Fear causes us to think, to say, and to do things which are contrary to The Word of God.
I John 4:18
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect [not developed] in love.
In closing, let’s remember when we say something about God [Love], about ourselves, or about other Sisters and Brothers in Christ that is not in line with, or according to, God’s [Love’s] Word, we are taking The Name of God [Love] in vain. We need to learn who we are in Christ Jesus [Love] and how much He [Love] loves us. He [Love] is Love. Therefore, God [Love] can’t help but love us.
Love doesn’t judge, faith doesn’t complain.
Much love in Christ Jesus,
Larry