The Third Commandment (No Misuse of God's Name)
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. (Ex 20:7)
Vain - "Empty; worthless; having no substance, value or importance. Fruitless. False. To take the name of God in vain, to use the name of God with levity or profaneness." (Webster's Dictionary 1828)
God's Name Represents His Character
God's name represents His character. (Ex 3:13,14 compare Heb 13:8 and Jn 14:6, Ex 23:20,21 compare 1Co 10:1-4, Ex 34:5-7, Nu 6:27, 2Ch 6:5-9, Isa 56:5, Eze 39:7, Da 9:19, Jn 12:28, Jn 17:6,26, Rev 3:12, Rev 14:1, Rev 22:3,4)
Worldly "Christians" Misuse God's Name
Those who take the name "Christian", but who do not possess or reflect the holy character of Christ are misusing God's name. (Isa 43:7, Mt 5:16, Col 1:27,28, 2Ti 2:19, Jas 4:4, 1Jn 2:6)
Jesus would rather people claim no association with Him (a "cold" relationship), rather than claiming to be Christians while manifesting a compromised ("lukewarm") lifestyle that repels others away from Himself and His church. (Rev 3:15,16)
Because of this widespread misuse of God's name, many seekers reject Christ and Christianity because they see little or no difference between supposed Christians and the rest of the world. (Ro 2:21-24, Ro 14:12,13)
Name Includes Family Lineage
Name includes family lineage. (Nu 1:18, Mt 1:1, Lk 3:23-38 note "son of God" in verse 38)
Therefore, taking God's name implies a spiritual parent/child relationship wherein we are to reflect the character of our Father. (Mt 5:9, Jn 1:12,13, Ro 8:14-19, Gal 3:26, Php 2:15, 1Jn 3:8-10)
Illegitimate "Christians" Misuse God's Name
Those who take the name "Christian", but who have not been spiritually adopted are misusing God's name. (Jn 1:12,13, Jn 3:3-8, Ro 8:5-16, Gal 4:4-7, Eph 1:3-5)
As children of God, Christians are supposed to be about their Father's business. (Lk 2:49)
Fruitless "Christians" Take God's Name in Vain
Fruitless "Christians" take God's name in vain. (Mt 7:15-23, Mt 25:14-30, Lk 8:5-15, Jn 15:5-8, Gal 5:22-25)
Those who use God's Name as a Common Interjection Misuse His Name
Those who use God's name as a common interjection misuse His name.
An example is the frivolous interjection of "Jesus Christ" in a purely secular statement.
Those who Combine God's Name with Profanity Misuse His Name
Those who combine God's name with profanity misuse His name. (Lev 19:12, Lev 22:32)
As a general truth, it is a grave sin to combine the holy and the profane. (Da 5:1-6,22-30, 2Co 6:14-18)
The Punishment for Disobedience is Death
The punishment for disobedience is death. (Lev 24:10-16, Ro 6:23, Jas 2:10)
As our substitute, Jesus paid the penalty for our sins. (Isa 53:6, Jn 1:29, Eph 5:2, Heb 7:27, Heb 10:5-10)
The 3rd Commandment Proclaims the Holiness of God
The 3rd commandment proclaims the holiness of God. (Ps 22:3, Ps 33:21, Ps 99:5, Ps 103:1, Ps 111:9, Rev 15:4)
The 3rd Commandment Proclaims the Expected Holiness of God's People
The 3rd commandment proclaims the expected holiness of God's people. (Lev 11:45, Lev 20:26, Dt 28:9, Mt 5:48, 1Pe 1:15,16, 1Pe 2:9, 2Pe 3:11)
The 3rd Commandment Proclaims the Church's Responsibility to Labor for Souls
The 3rd commandment proclaims the church's responsibility to labor for souls. (Mt 9:37,38, Mt 24:14, Mt 28:19,20, Ro 10:13-15)
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.