The third commandment (Exodus 20:7) and its restatement in Leviticus 19:12 carry a dual sense: do not swear falsely by God's name, and do not profane it through speech or conduct. Jesus has since taught that we should not swear at all, but let our yes be yes and our no be no, because God's character in us lets us mean what we say. Profaning God's name means using it lightly, using profanity or euphemisms for His names, or bearing the name of Christian or God's people while acting in ways that bring dishonor on Him by association. Neither passage says anything about which name to use or how to pronounce it, so claiming the commandment requires only Yahweh, Yah, or Yeshua adds to God's Word. Calvin calls restricting it to letters or syllables silly and childish, since God's name is all that may be known of Him: His wisdom, power, justice, truth, and mercy. God's name profaned is any detraction from these. Scripture gives God many names and titles, such as Immanuel, Our Redeemer, the BRANCH, and El Shaddai, each telling what He is like, and the language in which they are spoken makes no difference. Psalm 68:4 and Psalm 83:18 do not limit Him to one name. Words like "God" and Theos mean the same as El, and pagan use does not taint them. Insisting that He answers only one pronunciation turns that idea into an idol and neglects the changes in conduct He actually requires.

To profane is to be against or far from the temple, from the Latin profanus (pro- plus fanum), and biblically the temple embodies the true worship of the true God. Profaning God's name is therefore far more than obscene or vulgar speech. It is anything that treats His name as far from His true worship, and people, behaviors, and instruments of worship can all be profane. God uses forceful, firm statements when He warns against profaning His name, Sabbaths, sanctuary, altar, or ordinances, because these designations of holy and profane define His nature, character, and way of life. Just as a parent teaches a child right from wrong so the child mirrors the parent's values, God instructs His children so they will mirror His values. To be unconcerned with what God defines as acceptable is to be unconcerned with God Himself. His seriousness is shown in judgments: Nadab and Abihu died for offering profane fire, and Israel was scattered among the Gentiles for profaning His Sabbaths. Even in scattering, Israel continued to profane His name, and this continues today (Ezekiel 36:16-38; 39:7-8). Holiness is not transferable, but uncleanness is, so contact with the profane contaminates us and makes our work unfit for His service. Those God calls must be holy as He is holy, and by distinguishing holy from unholy they come to know Him.

Profaning God's name goes far beyond cursing or careless speech; it is any use of His name that denies His true character. The third commandment declares that God will not hold guiltless, or clean, the one who takes His name in vain. A person who talks about God yet denies Him in daily life is unclean and a sinner. The nations that possessed Canaan defiled themselves and the land by violating this commandment, and Israel was warned not to repeat the sin. Israel profaned the name by offering God blemished animals while keeping the best for themselves, a lying and deceitful attitude like that of Ananias and Sapphira. Prayer without obedience, and praise offered in rebellion against God's way, are vain and a form of blasphemy. Repeating God's name often, mentioning it only when convenient, or swearing by it does nothing to bring anyone into the Kingdom; those who use His names but fail to obey the revelation of Himself in them are rejected. Blasphemy and cursing carry the penalty of death. Because believers bear His name from baptism, they must uphold all it represents, and failing to live up to its reputation profanes it. God's name is hallowed by obedience in all conduct and by giving Him one's best effort. Those who overcome will receive His name as a reward.