The Third Commandment: Words Matter

Do words matter?

Certainly.

Jesus taught:

34 … For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.

37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. (Matthew 12:34b-37)

What you speak does matter, and that is more than not bearing false witness.

We see much vulgarity and blasphemy in the world today.

The United States has long been the world leader in producing movies. Yet, because some believe that those having a ‘G’ (General Audience) rating could harm their marketing efforts or their 'artistic' reputation, vulgar and lust-provoking language is often included in movies.

Such things should not be done (cf. 1 Timothy 6:9-10).

Jesus taught:

20 What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts ... blasphemy, pride, foolishness” (Mark 7:20-21).

When people curse to have God condemn someone, in their pride, they act like that they have that type authority, which they do not. For:

10 … those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries (2 Peter 2:10)

Here is the third commandment from the Book of Exodus:

7 “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)

We need to be careful about using God’s name. And this goes beyond not cursing. And this article goes beyond just the literal third commandment.

Here is a link to a related sermon: Third Commandment Plus: Words Matter.

Consider that many claim that God has done this or that for them, when He has not. Various ones claim many things are God’s will, even their bad choices, when that is not the will of God. This happens among many who profess Christ.

We are not to be presumptuous:

13 Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; (Psalms 19:13)

So be careful before you declare something is God’s will.

Christians should further see what the Apostle Paul wrote:

8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. (Colossians 3:8)

So, we see that the New Testament prohibits both blasphemy, which is speaking improperly about God, as well as filthy language, which can also include speaking against God.

Notice also Christians are to even control their thoughts:

5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, (2 Corinthians 10:5)

Furthermore, Christians are admonished to:

29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. (Ephesians 4:29)

3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. (Ephesians 5:3-4)

So, more than just not taking God’s name in vain and not thinking bad, Christians are to speak that which is good. Christians are not to be associated with filthiness.

Because “holy and reverend is his {God’s} name” (Psalm 111:9, KJV), we do not refer to ministers or others with titles like “reverend.”

And because Jesus said, “Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven” (Matthew 23:9), we do not refer to religious leaders as “father” (that title is basically reserved for our physical fathers and our Father in heaven).

Please also consider that those who are not truly Christians are taking God’s name in vain if they call themselves Christians as are those who curse with God’s name.

(It should be noted that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit—Matthew 12:31-32 and Hebrews 6:4-6–involves turning against the truth by the truly converted as well as the ways of God, and is not a result of inadvertently cursing. See also What is the Unpardonable Sin?)

What About ‘Sacred Names’?

Some believe that it is wrong for Christians to use terms like God, Jesus, or Lord. They believe that this is using God’s name in vain.

Typically, because of what is called the ‘tetragrammaton,’ YHVH (translated as ‘LORD’ or ‘Lord’ in many Protestant and Catholic Bibles), these people believe that the Father must be called Jehovah, Yahveh, or Yahweh. They normally prefer some version of the term Yeshua to refer to Jesus.

While it can be proper to use terms like Yahveh or Y’eshua, many fail to realize that the New Testament was basically written in Greek. Though some claim that the New Testament was originally written in Hebrew or Aramaic, scholars have concluded that the Greek New Testament does NOT show signs of being translated (other than obviously various statements of Jesus made in Aramaic, etc.). Plus, at least one Aramaic linguist has declared that the type of Aramaic that the ‘Aramaic New Testament’ has been translated from did not exist in Jesus’ area during his time. Therefore totally disproving the position that the New Testament was originally written in Aramaic.

The reality is that the inspired New Testament does use words properly translated into English as God, Jesus, or Lord and does not use words like Yahweh or Y’shua.

What are commonly referred to as ‘sacred names’ simply were not preserved in the Greek New Testament, hence they are not a Christian requirement.

Ignoring what language the New Testament was originally written in, consider that when Jesus was dying and prayed, He did NOT refer to His Father as Yahveh or Yahweh:

46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46)

Notice that the biblical translation was that Jesus was calling out to God. In the entire New Testament, Jesus is NEVER quoted using any of the ‘sacred names’ that many claim is necessary.

This clearly demonstrates that Jesus did NOT feel He had to refer to God the Father with any so-called ‘sacred name.’ While Christians are to be respectful, it is not biblically correct to insist on ‘sacred names.’

Furthermore, since there are no vowels in ancient Hebrew nor Aramaic, no one is 100% certain as to how various names in the Old Testament were pronounced. And in the New Testament Greek, Jesus’ name is not written as Y’eshua—it is closer to Ieesous.

It should also be understood that Jesus told His followers to refer to His Father as ‘Father’ when praying (Matthew 6:9)—not any version of YHVH.

The New Testament most certainly DOES NOT require sacred names, and not using them is NOT a violation of the third commandment.

Furthermore, when you look at the actual words that were in the original texts of the New Testament, you see that they did not use sacred names and even their abbreviations were not of the so-called sacred names.

The following may be of assistance:

Was the New Testament Written in Greek, Hebrew, or Aramaic? What language was the New Testament written in? Does it make any difference? What about sacred names? Did the Apostle Paul ever teach in Greek? Here is a link to a related sermon: What language was the New Testament written in?

The Bible, Church History, and Sacred Names What are 'sacred names'? What is Jesus' Old Testament name? Is the use of sacred names a subject of salvation or a false gospel? Must we refer to our Saviour as Yahweh or Yashua? A short video is available: Must Christians use 'Sacred Names'? A more detailed sermon is also available: Sacred Names: True or False Gospel? A related article in the Spanish language is La Biblia, la historia de la Iglesia, y los nombres sagrados.

Do Not Swear

Jesus taught:

33 Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one. (Matthew 5:33-37)

James taught:

12 But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment. (James 5:12)

Swearing implies a certainty that one can make something come to pass. But only God can do that.

Therefore, traditionally, true Christians have not sworn oaths or done similar things.

From a legal perspective, many societies allow one to affirm that they are being truthful when providing testimony or signing documents. And providing affirmation is what we in the Continuing Church of God advise Christians to do when asked to swear.

The Catholic Encyclopedia reports,

The designation of unwritten Divine traditions was not always given all the clearness desirable especially in early times; however Catholic controversialists soon proved to the Protestants that to be logical and consistent they must admit unwritten traditions as revealed. Otherwise by what right did they rest on Sunday and not on Saturday? How could they regard infant baptism as valid, or baptism by infusion? How could they permit the taking of an oath, since Christ had commanded that we swear not at all? The Quakers were more logical in refusing all oaths, the Anabaptists in re-baptizing adults, the Sabbatarians in resting on Saturday. But none were so consistent as not to be open to criticism on some point (Tradition and Living Magisterium. The Catholic Encyclopedia).

One of the mysteries of lawlessness is how both Protestant and Greco-Roman Catholics reason around the Ten Commandments (see also the free online book: The Ten Commandments: The Decalogue, Christianity, and the Beast).

Satan Used God's Name in Vain

The late evangelist Dibar Apartian wrote the following

The Bible reveals that Satan the devil is the accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10). But how does he accuse us? By spreading rumors and causing gossip.

Satan introduced gossip into the world shortly after the creation of Adam and Eve, when he spread rumors about God. Satan told Adam and Eve that God lied to them. He made them suspect God's loving concern and wonderful plan for all mankind to inherit eternal life.

God told the man, after putting him in the Garden of Eden: "Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die" (Gen. 2:16-17).

God's command was clear. But Satan put doubts in the first couple's minds. He made them question why God had forbidden them to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. He made them feel that God was keeping from them something that was good for them.

Notice how Eve answered Satan (who appeared to her in the form of a serpent), when she repeated God's order.

Eve told the serpent: "We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die" (Gen. 3:2-3).

Why did Eve add the last part of that sentence? Where did she hear it? God didn't forbid her to touch the tree. He told the couple not to eat of it.

Yes, but in Eve's mind, twisting God's order was necessary to express her feelings toward what she believed to be unfair. Can you imagine? God wouldn't even allow them to touch the fruit of the tree! Satan had already influenced her mind and she began to shade what God had said.

She obviously also thought the penalty God imposed was too severe. The clear statement, "Thou shalt surely die," became, in her words, "lest ye die."

Quite possibly, the more Eve reasoned in her own mind, the more she believed she was right. She became convinced that she was telling the truth. The woman now "knew" that God was really harsh and unjust.

Just think: If you repeat something enough times, you end up believing it.

And in this case, that's just what Satan wanted Eve to do: believe God was unjust, so he could seduce her. Adam and Eve disobeyed God by taking of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. (Apartian D. WHY God Hates Gossip! Good News, January 1982)

Like Satan did, false ministers use God's name in vain.

No we are not to spread gossip.

Do Not Curse

We are not curse with God's name.

We are to love God and our neighbor:

28 Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, "Which is the first commandment of all?"

29 Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:28-31)

Properly keeping the third commandment helps us do that.

We should not be so vain that we think we can give God orders.

Even the false prophet Balaam realized that humans are to not curse what God has not cursed:

5 Then the Lord put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, "Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak." 6 So he returned to him, and there he was, standing by his burnt offering, he and all the princes of Moab.

7 And he took up his oracle and said:

"Balak the king of Moab has brought me from Aram,
From the mountains of the east.
'Come, curse Jacob for me,
And come, denounce Israel!'

8 "How shall I curse whom God has not cursed?
And how shall I denounce whom the Lord has not denounced? (Numbers 23:5-8)

We should not be so vain to think that we can insist God eternally condemn someone because of some action we do not like.

Jesus said that we need to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 19:19).

Cursing any with God's name certainly does not do that.

Notice other words from Jesus:

44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:44-48)

Consider also:

14 You shall not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind, but shall fear your God: I am the Lord. (Leviticus 19:14)

God does not think it is funny to curse the deaf, etc.

The wicked curse:

4 The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God;
God is in none of his thoughts.

5 His ways are always prospering;
Your judgments are far above, out of his sight;
As for all his enemies, he sneers at them.
6 He has said in his heart, "I shall not be moved;
I shall never be in adversity."
7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression;
Under his tongue is trouble and iniquity. (Psalm 10:4-7)

The end of the cursor is not good:

17 As he loved cursing, so let it come to him;
As he did not delight in blessing, so let it be far from him.
18 As he clothed himself with cursing as with his garment,
So let it enter his body like water,
And like oil into his bones.
19 Let it be to him like the garment which covers him,
And for a belt with which he girds himself continually.
20 Let this be the Lord's reward to my accusers,
And to those who speak evil against my person. (Psalm 109:16-20)

12 For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips,
Let them even be taken in their pride,
And for the cursing and lying which they speak.
13 Consume them in wrath, consume them,
That they may not be;
And let them know that God rules in Jacob
To the ends of the earth. (Psalm 59:12-13)

Christians should delight in blessings, not cursing!

Notice the following:

5 Now therefore, what have I here," says the Lord,
"That My people are taken away for nothing?
Those who rule over them
Make them wail," says the Lord,
"And My name is blasphemed continually every day. (Isaiah 52:5)

How many millions of times each day do you think God's name is taken in vain, used in gutter filth, cursed as a means of venting anger?

Notice something from the KJV:

10 For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force is not right.

11 For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 23:10-11)

Even the very land mourns underneath the mountain of sin caused by swearing. Notice that God tells us that even the prophet and priest are profane in this land. Yes, even many of them swear. Swearing even occurs over television, in churches, in the so-called high society of "nice people," and among those who consider themselve poor and humble.

Against Moses and Samuel

People also need to be careful in the verbal criticisms.

The children of Israel felt justified in speaking against Moses and Aaron:

1 And they journeyed from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came to the Wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they departed from the land of Egypt. 2 Then the whole congregation of the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. 3 And the children of Israel said to them, "Oh, that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat and when we ate bread to the full! For you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger."

4 Then the Lord said to Moses, "Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not. 5 And it shall be on the sixth day that they shall prepare what they bring in, and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily."

6 Then Moses and Aaron said to all the children of Israel, "At evening you shall know that the Lord has brought you out of the land of Egypt. 7 And in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord; for He hears your complaints against the Lord. But what are we, that you complain against us?" 8 Also Moses said, "This shall be seen when the Lord gives you meat to eat in the evening, and in the morning bread to the full; for the Lord hears your complaints which you make against Him. And what are we? Your complaints are not against us but against the Lord." (Exodus 16:1-8)

People like to state that they really are not against God when they complain against His leaders, but God has a different view of that.

Notice also that Miriam and Aaron complained about Moses:

1 Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married; for he had married an Ethiopian woman. 2 So they said, "Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us also?" And the Lord heard it. 3 (Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth.)

4 Suddenly the Lord said to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, "Come out, you three, to the tabernacle of meeting!" So the three came out. 5 Then the Lord came down in the pillar of cloud and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam. And they both went forward. 6 Then He said,

"Hear now My words:If there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, make Myself known to him in a vision; I speak to him in a dream. 7 Not so with My servant Moses; He is faithful in all My house. 8 I speak with him face to face, Even plainly, and not in dark sayings; And he sees the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid To speak against My servant Moses?"

9 So the anger of the Lord was aroused against them, and He departed. 10 And when the cloud departed from above the tabernacle, suddenly Miriam became leprous, as white as snow. Then Aaron turned toward Miriam, and there she was, a leper. (Numbers 12:1-10)

Miriam and Aaron, and apparently more Miriam, felt justified in her comments against God's servant Moses. God disagreed.

As far as dreams go, most end time Christians will NOT accept that God speaks to His prophets in a dream, despite the clear statement here in Numbers 12:6 as well as Acts 2:17-18 (see also Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18?) Plus, there are other passages that demonstrate that God does such as Genesis 20:3-7, 28:10-17, 31:10-13, 31:24, 37:5-10, 40:5-18, 41:1-32; Judges 7:13-15; 1 Kings 3:5-15; Daniel 2:3-45, 4:4-27, 7:1-28; Matthew 1:20-25, 2:12, 2:13, 2:19, 2:22; Acts 16:9 (see also Dreams, the Bible, the Radio Church of God, and the Continuing Church of God).

Notice also:

9 The sons of Eliab were Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram. These are the Dathan and Abiram, representatives of the congregation, who contended against Moses and Aaron in the company of Korah, when they contended against the Lord; 10 and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up together with Korah when that company died, when the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men; and they became a sign. (Numbers 26:9-10)

Yes, speaking against God's leadership is speaking against God. So, be careful about your attitude.

Notice something related to Samuel:

1 Now it came to pass when Samuel was old that he made his sons judges over Israel. 2 The name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba. 3 But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice.

4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, 5 and said to him, "Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations."

6 But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." So Samuel prayed to the Lord. 7 And the Lord said to Samuel, "Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. 8 According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt, even to this day — with which they have forsaken Me and served other gods — so they are doing to you also. 9 Now therefore, heed their voice. However, you shall solemnly forewarn them, and show them the behavior of the king who will reign over them." (1 Samuel 8:1-9)

Most Laodiceans have actually rejected God fully ruling of them as well.

But, since Laodicea means 'people decide,' they don't think that is the case.

Yet, if they accepted God's governance (The Bible, Peter, Paul, John, Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, Roderick C. Meredith, and Bob Thiel on Church Government) and would believe the signs God recorded would exist in the last days (see Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18?), they would change and support the final phase of the work and the Philadelphian remnant led by the Continuing Church of God.

Euphemistically Using God’s Name in Vain

Satan has influenced society (Ephesians 2:2) and many people curse using God’s name in vain.

Many are casual about it and do not know that they are doing it.

Are YOU Guilty of BLASPHEMY?

Don't be too sure you're not. Read this article to check up on yourself.
BLASPHEMY is a most dangerous sin. Yet many who would not think of blaspheming may be at this precise moment committing this great sin!
Blasphemy is NOT just swearing or taking God's name in vain. There are many forms of blasphemy, and some of these ways of blasphemy bring dire consequences. Don't be ignorant. Study this article and be sure you stop every form of blasphemy now!
Definition
Notice this Bible proof that blasphemy and swearing or cursing are not the same thing. In Lev. 24:10-16, we find the account of the Israelitish woman's son who strode through the camp and got into a fight with one of the men of Israel. And in the fight, the son of the Israelitish woman, whose father was an Egyptian, blasphemed the name of the Eternal, "and cursed." Notice that he did two things. He blasphemed AND cursed. For this terrible sin he was put to death. And this is the word that came from God: "Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin. And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shall be put to death" (verses 15-16).
Again, in this law it is made clear that cursing and blaspheming are two separate offenses. Notice too, that blasphemy is an offense punishable by DEATH.
Webster's dictionary defines blasphemy as "indignity offered to God in words, writing, or signs " "Blasphemy applies strictly to any intentional utterance defying or offering indignity to the Supreme Being." "Impious or irreverent speech" is also blasphemy. It also includes swearing and profanity.
However, the Bible definition covers much more territory than Webster's. And the real truth as to the spirit of the law is going to surprise you.
The Hebrew word translated "blasphemy" in Leviticus 24 means to violently poke holes through, to jab at or perforate. Other words translated "blasphemy'' concur with the English definition of the word. ...And even some in God's Church today are swearing and do not realize it. And remember that swearing is a form of blasphemy! (Antion D. Are YOU Guilty of BLASPHEMY? Good News, 1969)

Satan has deceived the whole world (Revelation 12:9). Many believe that they can say versions of these curses with semi-substitutes.

The common abuses of God’s name are obvious to any true Christian, and real Christians will zealously avoid using or thinking them. But other, more subtle, vain uses of God’s name can creep into our language, and we should just as diligently guard against them. These wrong words and phrases are euphemisms substituted for blatant misuses of God’s name, but are also wrong.

Notice also:

Brethren, it is time many of you knew that such words as "Gee," "Gosh," "Golly," "darn," and various combinations of these words are actually swearword derivatives of the names of God, Jesus Christ and of the word "damn." They are the more "polite" forms of SWEARING! And even members of God's Church use these words in their speech. We need desperately to eradicate these words from our conversation and stop this form of blasphemy!

It is easy for us to swear or blaspheme. (Antion D. Are YOU Guilty of BLASPHEMY? Good News, 1969)

Various ones vainly make statements like, ‘Oh, my God!’ when they are not praying to God. Many use statements, like, ‘Oh, my gosh!’ or ‘good gracious’ or ‘good grief’ or ‘Oh, my goodness!’ which are essentially euphemistic ways to say the same thing. Remember Jesus said you would be judged including the idle words you use (Matthew 12:36).

In electronic communications, “OMG” is also used a lot. Such should not be done. Those may sound innocent enough at first, but think about them a moment and it’s obvious that they really are slang expressions for God’s name. As a parent, be sure your children are aware of the double meaning of these common words.

Many, when upset, scream, ‘Jesus!,’ again not in prayer. Others, do the same basic thing when they cry out, ‘Geez’ or ‘Gee whiz!’ Terms like crud (when used as a substitute for the word Christ), egad, and golly also fall into this category.

There are also other improper statements.

Now, we are not trying to teach that making unintended misstatements is something we should judge others on—but as Christians it is something that we should strive not to do.

Do not euphemistically use God’s name in vain.

Do not call yourself Christian if you will not be willing to live as Jesus wanted you to (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:1; 1 John 2:6).

Perhaps it should be mentioned that the reason we in the Continuing Church of God do not say, ‘God bless you’ after someone sneezes is because that tradition is based on the unbiblical notion that an evil spirit may enter someone who sneezes and must be warded off with some type of a spell.

If someone is truly ill they can pray and others can also pray for them (James 5:13-14).

We are to be careful with our words:

26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless. (James 1:26)

So, do not blame your background and claim you cannot change your words. If you keep saying things you should not, your religion is worthless--despite what you might believe and hope.

Can you blashpheme and not curse? Yes, but you should do neither:

Examples of Blasphemy
When Hezekiah was king of Judah, Sennacherib planned to invade and conquer the nation of Judah. He boasted against Judah thus: "Let not Hezekiah deceive you: for he shall not be able to deliver you. Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, The LORD will surely deliver us: this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria. Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria... Beware lest Hezekiah persuade you, saying, The LORD will deliver us. Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria? Who are they among all the gods of these lands, that have delivered their land out of my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand? (Isa. 36:14-16, 18, 20.)
Here the king of Assyria challenged God. He tried to bring God down to the level of an idol, to that of physical things. He spoke out intentionally defying God and His power to deliver Judah and Jerusalem. God called it blasphemy.
"And Isaiah said unto them, Thus shall ye say unto your master, Thus saith the LORD, Be not afraid of the words that thou hast heard, wherewith the servants of the king of Assyria have BLASPHEMED me" (Isa. 37:6). Again in verse 10 of this same chapter the king of Assyria blasphemed God. He accused God of trying to deceive His people. God labels this accusation blasphemy in verse 23.
Do men or nations get away with blasphemy against the Most High God? God said He would defend Jerusalem and He accepted the challenge given by the king of Assyria. Who won? Notice: "Then the angel of the LORD went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses" (verse 36).
Notice that this was blasphemy but that the king of Assyria never did curse God's name. But he did show irreverence and indignity to God. He did challenge God and His power.
Other Forms of Blasphemy
Here are other misdeeds that God labels blasphemy in His Word. Let us look at them and let each analyze himself in the light of God's Word. Think over your own actions of late and see if you are blaspheming.
In Ezekiel 20:27 we read, "Therefore, son of man, speak unto the house of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord ETERNAL; Yet in this your fathers have blasphemed me, IN THAT THEY HAVE COMMITTED A TRESPASS AGAINST ME." They blasphemed God by trespassing or sinning against Him. And this particular sin that they did was to pervert the way of worshipping God. They sacrificed to idols and established their own religion after God gave them the blessings of the land. This is happening today in the United States of America. (Antion D. Are YOU Guilty of BLASPHEMY? Good News, 1969)

We are also to be careful with our lives:

Blasphemy by Hypocrisy
Another form of blasphemy brought out is in Revelation 2:9. "I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan." Notice that God considers it blasphemy for people to say they are Jews — spiritual Jews. What is a spiritual Jew? According to Romans 2:29 it is one who has been circumcised in the heart — that is, has received the Holy Spirit and is, therefore, a Christian. There were people then saying they were Christians — true spiritual Jews — but who were not. God calls this blasphemy. Therefore to profess to do what is right and not to do it is blasphemy according to this principle. How many are doing this very thing?
Are you one who by your attendance in a local church profess to be keeping God's commandments and Sabbaths and yet are not doing it at all? Are you claiming to be a member of God's true Church — claiming to be a true Christian and follower of Jesus Christ; yet constantly putting up with sins that you know you have, never bothering to overcome sins and weaknesses? Are you just content with the same faults day after day — yet all the time claiming to be a spiritual Jew. THIS IS BLASPHEMY!
Another way to blaspheme God is shown in Acts 13:44-45. "And the next Sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God." Let us note right here that they were coming to hear God's Word. Jesus said the word of God was truth in John 17:17. But notice verse 45, "But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming." When they spoke against the things spoken by the apostle Paul, they did two things. They contradicted and blasphemed!
It follows then, that when we speak against the things spoken by one of God's ministers that we are blaspheming the very God we profess. When we speak against the doctrines of God's Church which are truths of God's Word, we blaspheme. Brethren, some of you are guilty of this very thing. You don't agree with a doctrine of God's Church and you speak out against it. Perhaps you just cannot understand it at the time. It does not say that it is blasphemy if you don't agree or can't understand. BUT IT IS BLASPHEMY TO SPEAK AGAINST THE WORD OF GOD, SPOKEN BY HIS MINISTERS!
When you blaspheme you border on the most dangerous sin of all. You are getting close to the cliff that will topple you into the lake of fire. If you don't understand something spoken by a minister, then ask the minister about it. Pray about it. Search your own heart to make sure you are not deceiving yourself. But above all, don't speak against it. To do this IS BLASPHEMY!
Causing Blasphemy
You may be one who is not blaspheming directly yourself. But you may be the cause of blasphemy to God and His Word. If you are, then you are at least 50% guilty of the sin of blasphemy. If by your actions you cause others to blaspheme the name of God perhaps you are more guilty than they of this sin.
The Apostle Paul condemned the Jews for this very thing. "You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? For, as it is written, 'THE NAME OF GOD IS BLASPHEMED AMONG THE GENTILES BECAUSE OF YOU'" (Rom. 2:23-24, RSV). Yes, the Jews were responsible for causing God's name to be blasphemed. With their bad examples and sin-filled lives they caused the Gentiles to blaspheme the very name of God Almighty.
Let us look at ourselves today. How is your example in front of unconverted neighbors and relatives? What kind of example did you set the world on your way to the Feast of Tabernacles? And while you were at the feast, many of you stayed in private homes in surrounding communities. What kind of example did you set! Were you clean? Or did you leave the place dirty and filthy? Some stayed in rented trailers. When you returned your trailer was it dirty and messy inside? Did you give it back in better shape than you had taken it?
Many of those from whom you rented trailers and rooms knew that you were going to a religious festival. Some even knew the name of the Church. Did you by your example cause or give occasion for those people to blaspheme the God we worship — the only true and living God? Were you impolite to the unconverted people in nearby towns or to the merchants? Did you give occasion for them to speak against the Church of God — the very Body of Jesus Christ? If you did, YOU HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THE SIN OF BLASPHEMY!
Notice what it cost King David, a man after God's own heart, for doing what some of us have done. After being told of his terrible sin of adultery and murder, David said, "I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, the LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. Howbeit, because by this deed [his sins) thou hast given great occasion [opportunity] to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die" (II Sam. 12:13-14). It cost David his son because he participated in this sin of blasphemy by giving the enemies of God the opportunity to speak against the religion and way of God. What will some of us have to pay to learn this lesson?
Let us set a right and holy example before the world by keeping God's commandments. And also by being polite, thoughtful, kind, neat, and clean in all our ways. Why do we always insist on paying a dear price to learn the consequences of sin?
Women Blaspheme
... for the women in God's Church. Here are God's instructions and the reason for them. God says "to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, THAT THE WORD OF GOD BE NOT BLASPHEMED" (Titus 2:5). If you disobey your husbands, if you are not discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good mothers and wives, you are causing God's Word to be blasphemed — indeed you are blaspheming it yourself! (Antion D. Are YOU Guilty of BLASPHEMY? Good News, 1969)

Yes, our example can cause others to blaspheme.

Notice that we are to be careful about that according to Jesus:

6 "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! (Matthew 18:6-7)

So, let's live so that we do not cause the word of truth to be blasphemed!

Notice also:

1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. (2 Peter 2:1-3)

There are leaders in at least three claimed COGs that do that (e.g. CGPKG, PCG, RCG).

Third Commandment Before Sinai, from Jesus, and After Jesus’ Death

The Bible shows the third commandment was in place before Mt. Sinai:

“nor shall you profane the name of your God...for all these abominations the men of the land have done, who were before you, and thus the land is defiled” (Leviticus 18:21,27).

“It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts” (Job 1:5).

“Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9).

Interestingly, those called of God are not to be cursed either, “And I will curse him who curses you” (Genesis 12:3).

The Bible is clear humans sin with their lips and should not do so:

10 ... In all this Job did not sin with his lips. (Job 2:10)

12 For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips,
Let them even be taken in their pride,
And for the cursing and lying which they speak. (Psalm 59:12)

19 In the multitude of words sin is not lacking,
But he who restrains his lips is wise. (Proverbs 10:19)

Jesus taught and expanded the third commandment:

“pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name” (Matthew 6:9).

“Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men” (Matthew 12:31).

“For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, ...blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man” (Matthew 15:19-20).

“What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts ... blasphemy, pride, foolishness” (Mark 7:20-22).

After Jesus was resurrected, the New Testament taught the third commandment:

“they are all under sin...Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness” (Romans 3:9,14).

“Let all ... evil speaking be put away from you” (Ephesians 4:31).

“But now you yourselves are to put off all these: ... blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth” (Colossians 3:8). “they may learn not to blaspheme” (1 Timothy 1:20).

1. My brethren, do not many of you become teachers, knowing that we will receive more severe judgment; 2. Because we frequently offend, every one of us. If anyone does not offend in what he says, this one is a perfect man and is able also to hold in check the whole body. 3. Remember, we put bits into horses’ mouths in order that they may obey us, and we direct their entire bodies. 4. Consider also that ships, being so large, and being driven by strong winds, are turned about by a very small rudder, wherever the will of the one who is steering may decide. 5. In the same way also, the tongue is a little member, but it boasts great things. See how large a forest is set ablaze by a little fire;

6. And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. So has the tongue been set among our members—the one member that defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of life, and is set on fire by Gehenna.

7. Now then, every species of animals and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8. But the tongue no human being is able to tame; it is an unrestrainable evil, full of death-dealing poison. 9. With it we bless God the Father, and with it we ourselves curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10. From the same mouth comes out blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so! (James 3:1-10, AFV)

“He is the antichrist who denies the Father and the Son” (1 John 2:22).

Do not take God’s name in vain.

That being said, even blasphemy will be forgiven:

31 "Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come. (Matthew 12:31-32)

Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is NOT a slip of the tongue or some wrong statement you may make. It is a deliberate act that the one doing it will not repent from.

Prophecy

Blasphemy is prophesied for the last days:

1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be ... 2 ... blasphemers” (2 Timothy 3:1,2).

Furthermore, notice

1 Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. 2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. 3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?"

5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. 6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. (Revelation 13:1-7)

The above is talking about the European beast power. It is clear that this is a European power as this sea, according to Daniel is the Great Sea (Daniel 7:2), which the Bible geographically identifies as the Mediterranean Sea (Numbers 34:6-7; Joshua 1:4; 9:1; 23:4; Ezekiel 47:13-16).

Furthermore, notice another prophecy about blasphemy:

1 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, "Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, 2 with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication."

3 So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. 5 And on her forehead a name was written:

MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

6 I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.

7 But the angel said to me, "Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns. 8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

9 "Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. (Revelation 17:1-10)

Rome is the city of seven hills.

And the Bible clearly points out that this woman of seven hills is a city:

18 And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth." (Revelation 17:18)

The Beast and the False Prophet (the final Antichrist) will be direct blasphemers.

The Bible is clear that something associated with the Beast of the Sea and the Rome will have blasphemous names.

Names such as reverend, father (when referring to a priest), and pontifex maximus could be considered to be blasphemous names. And there likely will be more. 666, of Revelation 13:16-18, may be a directly blasphemous name, and I am not talking about that number itself literally being directly blasphemous.

Words That Hurt and Words that Help

Notice the following from the old Worldwide Church of God:

Careless words and statements do enormous damage. They need to be rooted out of our vocabulary.
What's the matter with you?" "How many times do I have to tell you... ?" "The trouble with you is...!" "How dumb can you be?!" "Can't you ever do anything right?" "You always do that!" "You never...!"
How often do we hear persons demeaned — belittled — by such careless and harmful statements?
Or by these:
"If you're so smart...." "All you ever do is...!" "Why can't you be like... ?" "You look like a...." "You'd forget your... if it wasn't...!"
These and many similar put-downs seem automatically to pop out of many persons' mouths — perhaps yours — in some frustrating moment or difficulty with others.
Sarcasm, name-calling, put-downs, accusations, sweeping negative overstatements are all too common. Others do it. Perhaps we learned to do it too. Maybe they are such a habit, we don't even realize their harmful impact.
When such words are spoken to us, do we feel good or uplifted? Of course not! They are not words spoken in the spirit of true love — that is, in a way that is constructive and helpful.
What we're really saying is: "I don't respect you. I don't care for your feelings as a person. You're below me!" The attitude behind put-down, belittling words is human pride. It's human self-exaltation! It's really an attitude subtly implanted in us as a result of Satan's bombardment upon human minds (Eph. 2:2-3) — or learned from others so affected.
Cutting, belittling words and phrases need to be rooted out of our lives. Repeated often enough, demeaning put-downs get through the toughest skin and cause anything from a distorted sense of shame to blind rage — or mental depression, mental illness or suicide. "Death and life are in the power of the tongue," warns scripture (Prov. 18:21).
Parents to Children
Children too frequently bear the brunt of put-down statements or demeaning words from parents or others. Such words turn some youths into totally crushed, inward-looking, futilized persons. They feel worthless.
Other youths try to protect their tender egos from the hurts of such statements by hardening attitudes of disrespect to adults or shouting more demeaning insults to other children. The vicious cycle proliferates.
The habit of saying, "You always do something wrong!" or "You'll never learn!" can turn an able, talented child into a youth or adult of stunted intelligence and achievement; an individual with little confidence.
Dr. Selma Fraiber in her book The Magic Years says, "A child needs to feel our disapproval at times, but if our reaction is of such strength that the child feels worthless and despised for his offense, we have abused our powers as parents and have created the possibility that exaggerated guilt feelings and self-hatred will play a part in this child's personality development."
Words That Help
In your next aggravating situation, instead of spurting out a harsh, cutting or demeaning response to someone, put a governor on your mouth. Instead say: "Please...." "Please hold the door wider.... Please be neater.... Please be more careful.... Please let me show you."
Please is a word that helps us show respect. It puts our minds in a more constructive frame. We deal with others in a more positive and beneficial way.
Maybe a child accidentally knocks over a glass of some drink (and who hasn't?). An uncaring person might respond: "You careless kid. Watch what you're doing!" What's so damaging about such a statement is that we are branding a child with a characteristic (carelessness) that may not be true at all. Maybe the parents have failed to set the table properly for children, or have failed to train the child to be more careful.
How much more helpful to quietly say in such a situation, "Now go get a sponge and clean it up. And please do be more careful." The child isn't branded as totally inept, instead we express faith in their ability to solve the problem and be more careful.
So often we hear individuals retort in some frustrating situation with wild overstatements, such as "You always..." or "You never...!"
The danger with such statements is in creating a false or exaggerated reality. The person we are accusing probably at times does do what we want. "You never..." starts to program a false reality in the accuser's mind. That discourages the accused person from doing anything if the accuser so carelessly forgets the beneficial things he or she has done.
Why not say, "Please, I would appreciate it if you would...." Or "Would you help me...?" Or "Would you please... ?"
We're more apt to spout out some curt or hurting words when we're tired or emotionally upset. The children run up and ask, "Read us a story!" Or the wife asks, "I need your help." Instead of a harsh "No!" or "Don't bother me!" say "I am exhausted and upset. Please wait a while first, OK?"
You've explained your present feelings without putting someone down in the process. And you have not closed the door to positive help later.
Rather than responding to someone's mistake with a demeaning put-down, we can show disapproval but still be respectful by saying, "I don't like what you did." Be specific about the situation. Don't label the person with damaging names or shoot out a clever put-down. You only create or compound bad feelings, or another problem.
The key to saying helpful rather than harmful words to others is always to show respect.
Break the Cycle
If you've been guilty of expressing demeaning, putdown statements to others, stop and ask yourself if you would like them said to you. Of course you wouldn't.
But if you now stop expressing hurtful words to others there may be some delay in favorable replies to you. People you've offended want to know if you've really changed. It may take time to heal old wounds. If others respond with cutting words, resist the temptation to retort.
Break the vicious cycle of careless put-downs. Show respect and care for the feelings of others. In time others will show more respect and care for you.
"A soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger" (Prov. 15:1). "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life" (Prov. 15:4). And: "Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad" (Prov. 12:25). "He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life..." (Prov. 13:3).
What about you? Do your words wound and hurt others? Or do they help and edify? There are many powerful warnings in scripture about the consequences of our words.
The uncontrolled tongue, said the apostle James, "is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God... and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be" (Jas. 3:8-10).
The most powerful warning spoken about our words is expressed by Jesus Christ: "... for out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good, things [including good words]: "and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things [including evil words]. But I say unto you. That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment" (Matt. 12:34-36).
Strive to make your words, words that help — not words that hurt! (Schroeder DD. WORDS THAT HURT WORDS THAT HELP. Plain Truth, December 1981

Yes, words matter.

Gossip, or talebearing (NKJV) was missed in the above article. Notice some scriptures related to that:

6 A fool's lips enter into contention,
And his mouth calls for blows.
7 A fool's mouth is his destruction,
And his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles,
And they go down into the inmost body. (Proverbs 18:6-8)

20 Where there is no wood, the fire goes out;
And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.
21 As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire,
So is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles,
And they go down into the inmost body.

23 Fervent lips with a wicked heart
Are like earthenware covered with silver dross.

24 He who hates, disguises it with his lips,
And lays up deceit within himself;
25 When he speaks kindly, do not believe him,
For there are seven abominations in his heart;
26 Though his hatred is covered by deceit,
His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.

27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,
And he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him. (Proverbs 26:20-27)

We are to not bear false witness nor speak improperly against others.

We are not to bully or pick on people, even if we somehow think we can get away with that.

Not even with our children:

21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. (Colossians 3:21)

And, of course, children need to be careful what they say to their parents.

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise: 3 "that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth."

4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:1-4)

Provoking to wrath is a type of bullying.

Consider the following:

7 As an overseer of God’s household, he must be blameless: not arrogant, not hot-tempered, not an excessive drinker, not a bully, not greedy for money, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled, 9 holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it. (Titus 1:7-9, Christian Standard Bible)

Are we not, as Christian adults, administrators of a godly household?

Notice that not only are we not to bully, but to use our words for good.

Remember, the following:

5 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, 6 from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm. (1 Timothy 1:5-7)

Even the purpose of the third commandment is love. Avoid improper idle talk.

Words Matter

Be careful with your words.

Notice the following:

13 "Their throat is an open tomb;
With their tongues they have practiced deceit";
"The poison of asps is under their lips";
14 "Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness."
15 "Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 Destruction and misery are in their ways;
17 And the way of peace they have not known."
18 "There is no fear of God before their eyes." (Romans 3:13-18)

The third commandment is not just a limited admonition to not pronounce curses with God's name. Christians are to live properly, speak properly, and bless others with our words and work.

We need to be careful with what we say.

Do not sin with your lips.

Remember, Jesus our Saviour said:

36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. (Matthew 12:36-37)

This is difficult to conrol, but words matter.

Blashemous worldly leaders (the Beast and the Antichrist) will persuade much of the world to do wrong.

Do not blaspheme God's name directly, like they will.

Do not blaspheme God's name less directly via euphemisms.

Do not blaspheme God's name by not living as a true Christian.

13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. (Ecclesiastes 12:13, KJV)

That includes the third commandment.

Here is a link to a related sermon: Third Commandment Plus: Words Matter.

More on the Ten Commandments can be found in the free online book: The Ten Commandments: The Decalogue, Christianity, and the Beast.

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