The Third - Sixth Commandments

The Third Commandment

“Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain…”
EXODUS 20:7

God commands us not to use His name without reverence. When we use His name without some form of respectful fear, let alone as a curse word, we are using His name vainly.

Though I haven’t used God’s name as a curse word, I have used His name for frivolous requests, without even considering the fact I was talking to the creator of the universe.

The Forth Commandment

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”
EXODUS 20:8

God commands us to set aside one day a week to reflect on Him. On that day, we should forget our worries and “Be still and know that I am God…” (PSALMS 46:10). Now someone’s way of being still may look like work to us, but that is between them and God.

I haven’t kept this one either. Forgetting God on Sunday, by going to church out of habit, not to worship Him.

The Fifth Commandment

“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.”
EXODUS 20:12

God commands us to respect our parents so that we may have a long life. This is said to be the only commandment with promise. If we honor our father and mother, we’ll have a long life.

I’ve been guilty of disrespecting my parents, by being argumentative, not doing my chores or even just by doing them half-heartedly.

The Sixth Commandment

“Thou shalt not kill.”
EXODUS 20:13

God commands us not to murder. We think we would be safe from this one, but Jesus says if we are angry with someone for no reason, we are in danger of the judgment (MATT. 5:21, 22) and the bible says whoever hates another person is a murderer (1 JOHN 3:15).

Who can say they have kept this commandment. I certainly can’t. I have been angry at many people for no reason. I can say it makes me human, but God says it makes me a murderer.