Often the third commandment – You shall not take the Lord’s name in vain – is understood to mean you should not curse with God’s name. Now of course, that’s part of it but it really goes much deeper than that because names are more than names. We know this from our own culture and laws that prohibit slander and defamation because names are bound to character and identity. God’s name is a window into His character and identity and through it we come to know Him and understand why we must use his name well.

Study Guide (pdf): 02.03.08 Third Command: Name of God