What difference does it make whether people take the name of God in vain? My friends, it makes a great deal of difference. God gave us this commandment not only for our sake, but also for the sake of who He is. God is our Creator. He has given us life. How should we use our tongue? To glorify Him. When you profane His name, you are doing just the opposite of the reason that God put you here.
A further tragedy we see in this sin is that, of all the sins that we commit, it is a sin without provocation. It is a sin without temptation. This also is the only commandment that contains a threatened punishment. God says, “For the Lord will not hold guiltless anyone who takes His name in vain” (Exodus 20:7). Yes, my friends, this is a very serious commandment, and it reveals how many people in our society are utterly alienated from God.
