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Matthew 6:9
“Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.’ ”
Negatively—that is, with respect to what we are not to do—the third commandment tells us that we may not take the name of the Lord in vain (Ex. 20:7). Ultimately, we have seen, this means that we must not do or say anything that detracts from God and the highest glory that belongs to Him. The commandment has a specific application to our speech, however, so we must be careful not to use our words in a manner that speaks of God frivolously or incorrectly. This includes such things as swearing rash vows or invoking God’s name to make promises that we do not intend to keep. It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it (Eccl. 5:4–5). Moreover, in making vows, we should not invoke something other than God as a witness in the hope that this will enable us to escape His discipline when we do not keep our commitments. This practice is what Jesus refers to in Matthew 5:33–37.
Like the other commandments, the third commandment has a positive dimension. In other words, it tells us to do something: to engage in actions and speech that are contrary to the sins it forbids. Therefore, as the third commandment forbids the frivolous or wrong use of God’s name, it enjoins the reverent and right use of the Lord’s name. To keep the third commandment, we must take direct actions and speak words to honor God.
Today’s passage applies the third commandment in the context of the Lord’s Prayer. Before we ask our Creator for anything else in this model prayer, we must ask for His name to be hallowed, to be respected and praised (Matt. 6:9). Since God will not give His glory to another (Isa. 48:11), His name, which represents His character, must receive the glory and honor it is due. At present, all creation does not glorify and set the Lord apart as holy as it should, for unrepentant sinners transgress God’s law and use the Lord’s name wrongly. It’s good for our churches to pray that this would end.
In praying for the Lord’s name to be hallowed, we also seek to be an answer to that prayer. We are to endeavor to be used by God to exalt His name in all the earth. This means speaking correctly about Him and His character, seeking to present Him to others only as Scripture presents Him. It entails praising His name with reverence in both private and corporate worship. It requires that we make oaths and vows only on solemn and proper occasions, striving to keep our promises. In doing these things, we fulfill the third commandment.
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
Because we are sinners, we will fall short and at times take the name of the Lord in vain. Thankfully, God is gracious and forgives us when we turn to Him and repent. If we have been taking God’s name in vain, let us turn from this sin today toward Christ and seek to honor His name in all that we do.
For Further Study
- Psalm 34
- Matthew 28:18–20