"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.”
Exodus 20:7

Having addressed the most obvious way many commonly break the third commandment, let’s consider how many break the commandment when they “worship” the Lord inappropriately. Appropriate worship of the living God must be thoughtful, not thoughtless. It must be reverent, not flippant. And it must be biblical—according to God’s Word, not our creative or artistic ideas.

Almighty God demands and deserves to be worshiped thoughtfully (in spirit and in truth). When we sing the songs not thinking of their meaning, or about God Himself, is that “worship” not thoughtless, and does God not deserve thoughtfulness?

Almighty God demands and deserves to be worshiped reverently (in spirit and in truth). When the “worship” service is about the music, the leader, the “band,” the special effects, or the carnival atmosphere that some strive for, is that “worship” not flippant (and even idolatrous), and does God not deserve reverence?

Almighty God demands and deserves to be worshiped biblically (in spirit and in truth). God is the only One in a position to say how He is to be worshiped. In His Word, He has given numerous principles regarding how He is to be worshiped. He has also recorded examples of people deviating from His prescriptions regarding worship—and the devastating results. (He killed Nadab and Abihu for offering “strange fire” in worship in Leviticus 10.) Whenever the “worship” service is about our creative and artistic innovations instead of being strictly biblical (1), does God not deserve to be worshiped according to His Word instead of according to our whims?

These are examples of how “worship” frequently becomes taking the Lord’s name in vain.

Notes:
(1) Biblical worship says: “Whatever is not commanded is forbidden.” When worshipers adopt the “Whatever is not forbidden is allowed” mindset, it is only a matter of time until “worship” ceases to be biblical.

Next Time: How our lifestyles can break the third commandment.