The Westminster Larger Catechism (1648) explains our duties under the Third Commandment.
| First, you must agree that the Catechism has correctly explained the implications of the Commandment. Assuming it has, you must agree with God that you are obligated to carry out those principles in your life. | |
| Second, you must ask yourself if you have violated each aspect of the command. | |
| Third, you must take steps to develop the Character of Christ, and eliminate "character defects" from your life. This page will help you how to create vows by personalizing Scripture, which will help you develop Godly habits of obedience. | Creating vows by personalizing Scripture really helps develop Godly habits. Find out Why |
Question 111: Which is the third commandment?
Answer: The third commandment is, Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in
vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that takes his name in vain.
Question 112: What is required in the third commandment?
Answer: The third commandment requires, That the name of God, his titles, attributes,
ordinances, the Word, sacraments, prayer, oaths, vows, lots, his works, and: Whatsoever
else there is whereby he makes himself known, be holily and reverently used in thought,
meditation, word, and writing; by an holy profession, and Answerable conversation, to the
glory of God, and the good of ourselves, and others.
Question 113: What are the sins forbidden in the third commandment?
Answer: The sins forbidden in the third commandment are, the not using of God's name as is
required; and the abuse of it in an ignorant, vain, irreverent, profane, superstitious, or
wicked mentioning, or otherwise using his titles, attributes, ordinances, or works, by
blasphemy, perjury; all sinful cursings, oaths, vows, and lots; violating of our oaths and
vows, if lawful; and fulfilling them, if of things unlawful; murmuring and quarreling at,
curious prying into, and misapplying of God's decrees and providences; misinterpreting,
misapplying, or any way perverting the Word, or any part of it, to profane jests, curious
or unprofitable Questions, vain janglings, or the maintaining of false doctrines; abusing
it, the creatures, or anything contained under the name of God, to charms, or sinful lusts
and practices; the maligning, scorning, reviling, or anywise opposing of God's truth,
grace, and ways; making profession of religion in hypocrisy, or for sinister ends; being
ashamed of it, or a shame to it, by unconformable, unwise, unfruitful, and offensive
walking, or backsliding from it.
Question 114: What reasons are annexed to the third commandment?
Answer: The reasons annexed to the third commandment, in these words, The Lord
thy God, and, For the Lord will not hold him guiltless that takes his name in vain, are,
because he is the Lord and our God, therefore his name is not to be profaned, or any way
abused by us; especially because he will be so far from acquitting and sparing the
transgressors of this commandment, as that he will not suffer them to escape his righteous
judgment, albeit many such escape the censures and punishments of men.
Q. 111. Which is the third commandment?
A. The third commandment is, 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.Exod. 20:7
Q. 112. What is required in the third commandment?
A. The third commandment requires, That the name of God be holily and reverently
used,
His titles be holily and reverently used,
His attributes be holily and reverently used, Matt. 11:9; Deut. 28:58; Ps. 29:2; Ps. 68:4; Rev. 15:3-4.[See above in number 88.]
| Matthew 11:9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. | |
| Deuteronomy 28:58 If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD; | |
| Psalms 29:2 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. | |
| Psalms 68:4 Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him. | |
| Revelation 15:3-4 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. {4} Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest. |
His ordinances be holily and reverently used, Mal. 1:14; Eccl. 5:1
| Malachi 1:14 But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen. | |
| Ecclesiastes 5:1 Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. |
the Word be holily and reverently used, Ps. 138:2
| Psalms 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. |
sacraments be holily and reverently used, 1 Cor. 11:24-25, 28-29
| 1 Corinthians 11:24-25, 28-29 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. {25} After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. {28} But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. {29} For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. |
prayer be holily and reverently used, 1 Tim. 2:8
| 1 Timothy 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. |
oaths be holily and reverently used, Jer. 4:2
| Jeremiah 4:2 And thou shalt swear, The LORD liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory. |
vows be holily and reverently used, Eccl. 5:2,4-6
| Ecclesiastes 5:2,4-6 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. {4} When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. {5} Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. {6} Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands? |
lots be holily and reverently used, Acts 1:24, 26
| Acts 1:24,26 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen, {26} And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. |
his works be holily and reverently used, Job 36:24
| Job 36:24 Remember that thou magnify his work, which men behold. |
and whatsoever else there is whereby he makes himself known, be holily and reverently used in thought, Mal. 3:16
| Malachi 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. |
meditation, Ps. 8:1, 3-4, 9
| Psalms 8:1,3-4,9 To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of David. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. {3} When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; {4} What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? {9} O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! |
in word, Col. 3:17; Ps. 105:2, 5
| Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. | |
| Psalms 105:2,5 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works. {5} Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; |
and in writing; Ps. 102:18
| Psalms 102:18 This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD. |
by an holy profession, 1 Pet. 3:15; Micah 4:5
| 1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: | |
| Micah 4:5 For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever. |
and answerable conversation, Phil. 1:27
| Philippians 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; |
to the glory of God, 1 Cor. 10:31
| 1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. |
and the good of ourselves, Jer. 32:39
| Jeremiah 32:39 And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them: |
and others. 1 Pet. 2:12.
| 1 Peter 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. |
Q. 113. What are the sins forbidden in the third commandment?
A. The sins forbidden in the third commandment are, the not using of God's name as
is required; Mal. 2:2
| Malachi 2:2 If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart. |
and the abuse of it in an ignorant, Acts 17:23
| Acts 17:23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. |
and the abuse of it in a vain, Prov. 30:9
| Proverbs 30:9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain. |
and the abuse of it in an irreverent, profane, Mal. 1:6-7, 12; Mal. 3:14
| Malachi 1:6-7,12 A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? {7} Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible. {12} But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the LORD is polluted; and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is contemptible. | |
| Malachi 3:14 Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts? |
and the abuse of it in a superstitious 1 Sam. 4:3-5; Jer. 7:4, 9-10, 14, 31; Col. 2:20-22
| 1 Samuel 4:3-5 And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies. {4} So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubims: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. {5} And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again. | |
Jeremiah 7:4,9-10,14,21 Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, are these. {9}Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; {10} And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations? {14} Therefore will I do unto this house, which is called by my name, wherein ye trust, and unto the place which I gave to you and to your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh. {31} And they have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my heart. |
|
| Colossians 2:20-22 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, {21} (Touch not; taste not; handle not; {22} Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? |
or wicked mentioning or otherwise using his titles, attributes, 2 Kings 18:30, 35; Exod. 5:2; Ps. 139:20
| 2 Kings 18:30-35 Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, The LORD will surely deliver us, and this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria. {35} Who are they among all the gods of the countries, that have delivered their country out of mine hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of mine hand? | |
| Exodus 5:2 And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go. | |
| Psalm 139:20 For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain. |
ordinances, Ps. 50:16-17
| Psalms 50:16-17 But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? {17} Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee. |
or works, Isa. 5:12
| Isaiah 5:12 And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands. |
by blasphemy, 2 Kings 19:22; Lev. 24:11
| 2 Kings 19:22 Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel. | |
| Leviticus 24:11 And the Israelitish woman's son blasphemed the name of the LORD, and cursed. And they brought him unto Moses: (and his mother's name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan:) |
perjury; Zech. 5:4; Zech. 8:17
| Zechariah 5:4 I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof. | |
| Zechariah 8:17 And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the LORD. |
all sinful cursings, 1 Sam. 17:43; 2 Sam. 16:5
| 1 Samuel 17:43 And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. | |
| 2 Samuel 16:5 And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came. |
oaths, Jer. 5:7; 23:10;
| Jeremiah 5:7 How shall I pardon thee for this? thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no gods: when I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots' houses. | |
| Jeremiah 23:10 For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force is not right. |
vows, Deut. 23:18; Acts 23:12, 14
| Deuteronomy 23:18 Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the LORD thy God. | |
| Acts 23:12,14 And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. {14} And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul. |
and lots; Esth. 3:7; Esth. 9:24; Ps. 22:18
| Esther 3:7 In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar. | |
| Esther 9:24 Because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is, the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them; | |
| Psalm 22:18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture. |
violating of our oaths and vows, if lawful Ps. 24:4; Ezek. 17:16, 18-19
| Psalms 24:4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. | |
| Ezekiel 17:16,18-19 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely in the place where the king dwelleth that made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant he brake, even with him in the midst of Babylon he shall die. {18} Seeing he despised the oath by breaking the covenant, when, lo, he had given his hand, and hath done all these things, he shall not escape. {19} Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; As I live, surely mine oath that he hath despised, and my covenant that he hath broken, even it will I recompense upon his own head. |
and fulfilling them, if of things unlawful; Mark 6:26; 1 Sam. 25:22, 32-34
| 1 Samuel 25:22 So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall. | |
| 1 Samuel 25:32-34 And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me: {33} And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand. {34} For in very deed, as the LORD God of Israel liveth, which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall. | |
| Mark 6:26 And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her. |
murmuring and quarrelling at, Rom. 9:14, 19-20
| Romans 9:14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. | |
| Romans 9:19-20 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? {20} Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? |
curious prying into, Deut. 29:29
| Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. |
and misapplying of God's decrees Rom. 3:5, 7; Rom. 6:1
| Romans 3:5,7 But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man) {7} For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? | |
| Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? |
and providences; Eccl. 8:11; Eccl. 9:3; Ps. 39
| Ecclesiastes 8:11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. | |
| Ecclesiastes 9:3 This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead. | |
| Psalm 39:1 To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. |
misinterpreting, Matt. 5:21 to the end.Quest.99, letter o.]
| Matthew 5:21-48 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: {22} But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. | |
| {27} Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: {28} But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. | |
| {33} Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: {34} But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: {37} But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. | |
| {38} Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: {39} But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. | |
| {43} Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. {44} But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; {45} That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. |
misapplying, Ezek. 13:22
| Ezekiel 13:22 Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life: |
or any way perverting the Word, or any part of it; 2 Pet. 3:16; Matt. 22:24-31, 25:28-30
| Matthew 22:24-31 Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. {25} Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: {26} Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. {27} And last of all the woman died also. {28} Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. {29} Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. {30} For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. {31} But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, | |
| Matthew 25:28-30 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. {29} For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. {30} And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. | |
| 2 Peter 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. |
to profane jests, Isa. 22:13; Jer. 23:34, 36, 38
| Isaiah 22:13 And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die. | |
| Jeremiah 23:34,36-38 And as for the prophet, and the priest, and the people, that shall say, The burden of the LORD, I will even punish that man and his house. {36} And the burden of the LORD shall ye mention no more: for every man's word shall be his burden; for ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God. {38} But since ye say, The burden of the LORD; therefore thus saith the LORD; Because ye say this word, The burden of the LORD, and I have sent unto you, saying, Ye shall not say, The burden of the LORD; |
curious or unprofitable questions, vain janglings, or the maintaining of false doctrines; 1 Tim. 1:4, 6-7; 1 Tim. 6:4-5, 20; 2 Tim. 2:14; Tit. 3:9
| 1 Timothy 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. | |
| 1 Timothy 1:6-7 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; {7} Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. | |
| 1 Timothy 6:4-5 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, {5} Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. | |
| 1 Timothy 6:20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: | |
| 2 Timothy 2:14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. | |
| Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain |
abusing it, the creatures, or anything contained under the name of God, to charms, Deut. 18:10-14, 11-12; Acts 19:13
| Deuteronomy 18:10-14 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, {11} Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. {12} For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. {13} Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God. {14} For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do. | |
| Acts 19:13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. |
or sinful lusts and practices; 2 Tim. 4:3-4; Rom. 13:13-14; 1 Kings 21:9-10; Jude 4
| 2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; {4} And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. | |
| Romans 13:13-14 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. {14} But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. | |
| 1 Kings 21:9-10 And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people: {10} And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die. | |
| Jude 1:4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. |
the maligning, Acts 13:45; 1 John 3:12
| Acts 13:45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. | |
| 1 John 3:12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous. |
scorning, Ps. 1:1; 2 Pet. 3:3
| Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. | |
| 2 Peter 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, |
reviling, 1 Pet. 4:4
| 1 Peter 4:4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: |
or any wise opposing of God's truth, grace, and ways; Acts. 13:45-46,50; Acts 4:18; Acts 19:9; 1 Thess. 2:16; Heb. 10:29
| Acts 13:45-46 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. {46} Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. {50} But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts. | |
| Acts 4:18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. | |
| Acts 19:9 But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. | |
| 1 Thessalonians 2:16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost. | |
| Hebrews 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? |
making profession of religion in hypocrisy, or for sinister ends; 2 Tim. 3:5; Matt. 23:14; Matt. 6:1-2, 5, 16
| 2 Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. | |
| Matthew 23:14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. | |
| Matthew 6:1-2,5,16 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. {2} Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.{5} And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.{16} Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. |
being ashamed of it, Mark 8:38
| Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. |
or a shame to it, by unconformable, Ps. 73:14-15
| Psalms 73:14-15 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. {15} If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. |
unwise, 1 Cor. 6:5-6; Eph. 5:15-17
| 1 Corinthians 6:5-6 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? {6} But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. | |
| Ephesians 5:15-17 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, {16} Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. {17} Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. |
unfruitful, Isa. 5:4; 2 Pet. 1:8-9
| Isaiah 5:4 What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes? | |
| 2 Peter 1:8-9 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. {9} But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. |
and offensive walking, Rom. 2:23-24
| Romans 2:23-24 Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? {24} For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. |
or backsliding from it. Gal. 3:1, 3; Heb. 6:6.
| Galatians 3:1,3 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? {3} Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? | |
| Hebrews 6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. |
Q. 114. What reasons are annexed to the third commandment?
A. The reasons annexed to the third commandment, in these words, The Lord thy God,
and, For the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain, Exod. 20:7
are, because he is the Lord and our God, therefore his name is not to be profaned, or any way abused by us; Lev. 19:12
| Leviticus 19:12 And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD. |
especially because he will be so far from acquitting and sparing the transgressors of this commandment, as that he will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgment; Ezek. 36:21-23; Deut. 28:58-59; Zech. 5:2-4
| Ezekiel 36:21-23 But I had pity for mine holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen, whither they went. {22} Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. {23} And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. | |
| Deuteronomy 28:58-59 If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD; {59} Then the LORD will make thy plagues wonderful, and the plagues of thy seed, even great plagues, and of long continuance, and sore sicknesses, and of long continuance. | |
| Zechariah 5:2-4 And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits. {3} Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it. {4} I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof. |
albeit many such escape the censures and punishments of men. 1 Sam. 2:12, 17, 22, 24; 1 Sam. 3:13
| 1 Samuel 2:12,17,22,24 Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD. {17} Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD. {22} Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. {24} Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the Lord's people to transgress. | |
| 1 Samuel 3:13 For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. |
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