May 24, 2026 - The Third Commandment (Exodus 20:7)

The Third Commandment (Exodus 20:7)

Rev. Myung-Sin Choi

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.

Introduction

If you go to Paris, there is a document that is called, “Paris Magic Document” and there is an official record within this document that records that shamans use the name Jesus Christ. The shamans would use the name of Jesus Christ by commanding, “I strictly command you in the name of the God of Hebrew, Jesus.” And they use this name when they are driving out evil spirits. This is so astounding. This is what is recorded in this official document and this is what shamans would do when they would cast out evil spirits. This also shows that when the shamans used the name of Jesus Christ, this shows that the shamans believed in the power of the name of Jesus Christ. When they commanded in the name of Jesus Christ, they had assurance that evil spirits would be driven out in the name of Jesus Christ. If that is so, then we who are children of God, what happens when we use the name of Jesus Christ? Even shamans would use the name of Jesus Christ and great works would arise so what would happen if we who are children of God use the name of Jesus Christ? The way of whether works arise or not would be determined if we use the name of Jesus Christ or not. What is absolute is that if we pray in the name of Jesus Christ then great works will arise. We must experience this. Today’s sermon is so important that God has given it to us today. The scripture tells us not to use the name of God in vain. This means that we must hold onto the name of Jesus Christ and Lord God. 

1. The Lord your God

(1) The servant of the Lord

Verse 7 - It says we should not, “you” so this is referring to the people of God and the Israelites. This third commandment was given to the people of God so that they can receive healing. We receive healing in the name of Jesus Christ. What meaning does the name of Lord God have? 

Exodus 3:14, 10 “And God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ And He said, ‘Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ 10 Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.’ ” - In Hebrew, “I am Who I am” is “Ehyeh asher ehyeh”, which means God exists. When we get a name, this name is given to us by our parents. But what is important is that there is no one who is above God, God does not have a parent. When Moses asked God what His name is, God responded that He exists from Himself, “I am who I am.” This means that God’s name is not His name, which means that God is not His name but His existence. This means that God is Who He is and He exists from Himself. All other gods and idols possess a name but God does not have a name. This is because God exists within Himself. 

When God introduced Himself, we can how He introduced Himself in Genesis 28:13, 32:29 “And behold, the Lord stood above it and said: ‘I am the Lord God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants.’ 32:29 Then Jacob asked, saying, ‘Tell me Your name, I pray.’ And He said, ‘Why is it that you ask about My name?’ And He blessed him there.” - This means that God exists within Himself and He is the God of Abraham and Isaac. This was how God introduced Himself. 

Genesis 32:29 - This was when Jacob wrestled with an angel and won, and Jacob’s name was changed to Israel. This was when Jacob asked the angel of God what his name and this angel of God asked why Jacob asked for his name. This means that God does not possess a name and then after that, God blessed Jacob. God is Who He is and blessed Jacob. This means that God is the God of salvation and God is the source of blessings. Also, God commands not to use the name of God in vain. This means that there are three meanings behind this. 

(2) You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain

The first thing that God does not want us to do is use His name in vain. There are people who use the name of God in vain. So many people use the name of God all the time by saying, “Oh my God” or “Jesus Christ!” They are just using the name of God so freely and all the time but God tells us not to use the name of God in vain. This means that we use talk wisely and think about what we say before we talk, especially children of God. There are people who use the name of God in vain but as children of God we should not do the same thing. 

Secondly, we should not use the name of God in vain without any purpose or meaning. There are people who say that they give glory to God when good things come to them and happen to them. But after that, they would exalt only themselves. To be truthful, in the end, we only exalt ourselves. 

Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ ” - We say that we prophesied the name of God, drove out demons in God’s name, and done many wonders in God’s name so they think that we deserve to go to heaven. But God calls all of this legalism and those who just practice lawlessness. This means that our faith is a beggar's faith of a beggar and we have incorrect faith. God does not want this kind of faith. We need to receive healing of our faith. 

Also, third, God tells us not to use then name of God in vain and out of habit. Just like nonbelievers, don’t just call out to God out of habit and in repetition. When we do our Lord’s prayer, what kind of heart do you recite the Lord’s prayer? We recited the Lord’s prayer but what kind of heart do you have when you recite it? Do you make a true confession of faith when you recite the Lord’s prayer? When you give praise to God, what kind of heart do you have when you give praise to God? When we do things just out of habit, you think God will just answer you when you just pray out of habit and mindlessly. You think that if you pray for a long time then God will answer you but we need to heal our habits and mind. We need to heal our mind. 

2. God of Healing

(1) Examining your faith

If we use the name of God in vain then we will absolutely pay for this eventually. When we pray,  pray with the heart of Coram Deo. When we pray, we need to pray with this kind of attitude and posture. If we pray with this attitude, then great answers will come to you. The 10 commandments were not given to us to suppress us. The Israelites crossed the Red Sea and they were giving praise to God as they were crossing the Red Sea. But after they crossed the Red Sea, they faced many other obstacles such as no water and they became thirsty so they started complaining to God. 

That is when God told the Israelites at that time in Exodus 15:26 “And said, ‘If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.’ ” - After they crossed the Red Sea, why did God only provide the Israelites with undrinkable, bitter water? It was so that God could heal them and give them an important message. God was trying to heal the Israelites in the wilderness. People who are saved, what do they need to be healed of? Even if you are saved, your old nature and habits of being a slave need to be healed. Even if we are saved, we still possess our old nature and habits. God promised the Israelites that He will heal them so that is why He gave them bitter water. God promised them healing so the first thing that God gave them was the 10 commandments. This was the message of healing. In order to live our lives for God, God gave them the message of healing. When we hold onto this message, we must reflect on ourselves. Are we truly giving God the worship of faith when we pray and worship to God? When we pray to God, do we really pray the prayer of thanksgiving? If we can’t give glory and thanksgiving to God then that means there is still arrogance still within our hearts. You still think that you are the best and you are the god of your life. God is telling us that we must receive healing of this. 

Isaiah 9:7 “Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” - We are talking about God who is a jealous God when we read the word, “Zeal.” We must hold onto the third commandment when we read this scripture. 

(2) The name of the Lord to the name of Jesus

Mark 11:9 “Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: ‘Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ” - The Israelites were praising the name of the Lord. 

John 17:12, 6:20, 16:24, 14:14 “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 6:20 But He said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid.’ 16:24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. 14:14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” - We can see the prayer of Jesus here. God gave Jesus the name of Jesus. The name of Jesus means “Savior.” The name of Savior was the name of the Lord God. This was Jesus explaining the Triune God. The Lord God gave Jesus His name. The name that Jesus received was the name of Jesus, our Savior. 

John 6:20 - Jesus was walking in water and the disciples became afraid. This was what Jesus said during this time. When the disciples became afraid, Jesus said that it was Him, Jesus. Jesus was saying, “I am Who I am.” Jesus received His name from God and Jesus was saying that His name was “I am Who I am.” This was Jesus explaining the Triune God. 

John 16:24 - Until then, we didn’t use the name of Jesus but now Jesus said to use His name. After Jesus resurrected from the cross and had victory on the cross, Jesus said for us to use the name of Jesus Christ. The name of Jesus Christ has all of the authority of heaven and earth. 

John 14:14 - Who is saying this? It was Jesus Christ who died on the cross, resurrected, and rose from the death. It was Jesus Christ who had victory over death and if we use the name of Jesus Christ then we will have victory in our lives. If we pray in the name of Jesus Christ then God will work in our lives. When a child of God asks anything in His name then God will work. Jesus Christ had complete victory over sin, Satan, and hell and the moment we believe, then we will have complete victory over sin, Satan, and hell. We will have complete victory when we utilize the name of Jesus Christ. Even shamans would use the name of Jesus Christ and believed in the name of Jesus Christ. If we truly believe in the name of the resurrected Jesus Christ then great works will arise. May you receive answers. 

3. Possessing Eternal Things

(1) Possessing eternal things

Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” - The Lord God came down to Earth and died on the cross, and was resurrected. After Jesus Christ resurrected, He ascended back to heaven and is with us by the Spirit. This means that we have eternal life and faith. 

(2) Finding today in the midst of eternal things

Isaiah 40:3 “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God.’ ” - Hold onto the name of Jesus Christ and use the name of Jesus Christ. Use the name of Jesus Christ with faith then all closed doors will be opened for us. God said that He will make a way in the desert and highway for us. Truly have faith. 

(3) The eternal path into the future

Isaiah 40:11 “He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young.” - If we possess the name of Jesus Christ and the salvation of Jesus then we must go out and do the work of evangelism. God promised that He will guide us. 

Conclusion

Isaiah 40:4 “Every valley shall be exalted And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough places smooth.’ ” - There is no one who can block the way of the children of God. Those who have the heart of evangelism then no one can block us. All darkness and disasters that try to block us, if we go out in the name of Jesus Christ then all of that will be broken down. All of our weaknesses will be healed. May we receive great answers this week.