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When the third commandment was given, who was the Lord addressing? A fact we all know but may not truly realize is that God was indeed speaking to the Israelitesbelievers.

Why not give this command to the Canaanites or the Philistines godless nations whose acts disregarded God and kindled his wrath? Simply because it was the Israelites, and not the unbelieving nations, who represented God on earth.

Let me ask you, which is the greater offense; an unbeliever spouting off God's name as just another vocabulary word, or a believer who disrespects and discredits the God they serve and bear witness to?

Now, I hear you protesting, "but I don't swear! I've taught my children not to swear!" I'm sure you have, but what if taking God's name in vain means more than just shouting it when you stub your toe?

Stop for a moment and think of your closest friend. What comes to mind when you hear his or her name? Does a smile spread across your face? Do you recall good times or feel a sense of trust and respect? Now, what about the name of the guy who stole your girlfriend in high school? See the difference? A name is so much more than a title. It is a link to all your impressions and feelings about a person. As Christians, we are God's representation on earth, so the things we do and say on his behalf are the things that come to other peoples' minds when they hear the name, "God."

So how are we doing? Do we tell jokes about God that cheapen the respect and awe we should have? Or what about the times we've failed to practice what we preach, making God's standards seem like a joke. Or, think of when we have told people who were sick, "God is punishing you." What impression of God do we leave behind?

Now, don't get me wrong. I get uncomfortable too when I hear God's name spouted in an angry string of expletives. However, when this happens, I need to remind myself that the world is not looking to this person to show them what God is like. They are looking at me. How am I doing? Am I bringing God's name honour or shame?

I think Matthew 7:4 applies. "How can you say, My friend, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you don't see the log in your own eye?"

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