The third commandment addresses the sanctity of God's name, His character, His office, and His position as the great sovereign Ruler of the universe: 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. In biblical terms, personal names carry meaning, often describing aspects of a person's character, and so it is with God's name, which reveals distinct virtues and characteristics of His nature through various names in the Bible. A person is deemed clean or unclean based on how they use God's name, whether in truth or in vanity. Using God's name in a way that denies His true meaning and character constitutes a violation of this commandment. God is deeply concerned with how His name is used, as seen in the abominations of the heathen nations in Canaan who defiled themselves and the land by taking His name in vain. Israel, too, profaned God's name through deceitful offerings, keeping the best for themselves while offering blemished ones to Him. To hallow God's name, as taught in prayer, means to set it apart for holy use and respect it greatly through obedience in all conduct. Conversely, prayer without obedience or praise offered in rebellion against His way is considered vanity and contemptible. The faithful are called to exalt, praise, and love God's name, placing their trust not merely in what He is called, but in His character and nature, experienced through living His way. Blaspheming or cursing God's name carries severe consequences, and Jesus instructs not to swear by His name, emphasizing that a simple affirmation from a God-fearing person holds more weight than numerous oaths from a liar. Salvation does not hinge on the pronunciation of God's name but on doing His will, which is essential in truly fearing His name. God's truth, as revealed by Jesus declaring the Father's name, guards against evil through His Word. Bearing God's name from baptism imposes a profound duty to uphold all that it represents, acting as witnesses that our God is God. Failing to live up to this reputation breaks the third commandment and profanes His name. Yet, those faithful in obeying Him are promised the reward of receiving God's own name in His Kingdom, designating their existence, nature, and responsibility for eternity.

The third commandment connects directly with the sin of idolatry, focusing on the sincere truthfulness, purity, and quality of our worship. It deals with glorifying God, emphasizing that nothing compares with Him, and there is no physical reference to which a human being can liken Him. Exodus 20:7 states, "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." This commandment includes a warning, subtly emphasizing that the penalty for taking God's name in vain is death. The third commandment sets the standard of spiritual cleanliness in a person using the name of God, as it is weighty and must be used or borne in truth, without hypocrisy or vanity, but in purity of conduct. It teaches how much God is to be a part of our every word, deed, and attitude. Through His names and titles, God reveals a great deal about His attributes, offices, authority, prerogatives, and will, each name designating some distinct virtue or characteristic of His nature. Thus, His names are not to be abused, and this commandment stands against common swearing, including euphemisms, as well as the light or disrespectful use of any of God's attributes or character traits. God's names are signposts of His attributes and character, advertising His nature and reminding us of what we can expect Him to do and what He requires. Bearing His name, as children of God, implies His ownership, authority, and protection over us. The third commandment also deals with the quality of our personal witness to everything that name, which we now bear, implies as it applies to a human son of God. We witness for God both as individuals leading our lives and as a body preaching the gospel, magnifying His name by faith.