5:11Deuteronomy 5:11

Taking the Lord's name in vain means using it in a false, empty, careless or irreverent way, and those who do so will not be counted guiltless.STB 628.4–629.2+2 It is broken not only by open profanity but by cheap, frivolous or irreverent speech and conduct, and it is kept by using God's name with solemnity, speaking truthfully in simple affirmation or denial, and honoring Him in heart and life.STB 628.4–629.2+1 True reverence for His name is shown by keeping His commandments in everything great and small, and claiming to serve Him while refusing obedience violates the command.STB 628.4–629.2+2 The requirement remains sacred and binding upon every person today with no excuse for disobedience, and it is to be studied, practiced, taught to children, and exemplified by all who know sacred truth.Ms 12, 1904, par. 6–18+4 Keeping it is for the people's good, making the right path plain and guarding from temptation and every false way, while obedience brings God's blessing and prosperity and disobedience through unbelief forfeits it.Ms 12, 1904, par. 6–18+4

The command belongs to the covenant made at Horeb, where God spoke face to face with Israel out of the midst of fire after bringing them out of Egypt from the house of bondage.Ms 12, 1904, par. 6–18 Moses called all Israel to hear that law again at the river Jordan when the time to possess Canaan was at hand and just before his death.Ms 12, 1904, par. 6–18+3 Few of that generation had been old enough to comprehend the solemnity and grandeur of Sinai, many had been small children at the first giving or had been born in the wilderness with no remembrance of it, and their fathers had died in the wilderness for transgression.Ms 12, 1904, par. 6–18+3 He rehearsed the law together with the history of deliverance from Egypt and the wilderness journeyings and the circumstances of the giving of the law, so the new generation to whom the promise would be fulfilled would realize the necessity of obeying it.Ms 12, 1904, par. 6–18+2

It stands as one of the Ten Commandments, among the first four revealing obligations to God.Ms 29, 1900, par. 32–35+4 It was given as definite commandments through Moses, as the words of Christ for the people brought out of Egypt.Ms 29, 1900, par. 32–35+2 It was repeated in solemn assembly as the terms of God's covenant that the people were to learn, keep, and do, governing their words and actions.Ms 29, 1900, par. 32–35+4

In wording it forbids using the Lord's name in a false or empty way.Ms 93, 1908, par. 50–53 It condemns the profane swearer.2SP 222.1 It warns that the Lord will not regard the offender as guiltless.Ms 93, 1908, par. 50–53+1

The prohibition is not satisfied by outward keeping alone, but must be obeyed in spirit as well as in letter and must not be taken as forbidding only outright crime.2SP 222.1 Its spirit reaches farther and forbids bringing the divine name into conversation in a careless or irreverent manner and using it lightly.2SP 222.1 Carelessness in speech and deportment, cheapness of speech, and frivolity in words and works violate the commandment.STB 628.4–629.2 Such commonness hinders spirituality and must be put away by those chosen as a holy and peculiar people.STB 628.4–629.2

The sacred name is to be used in prayers and exhortations only with proper solemnity.2SP 222.1 The Lord is to be sanctified in heart and life, with heed taken to conversation.STB 628.4–629.2 Ordinary communication is to be limited to simple affirmation or denial, Yea, yea and Nay, nay, because whatever is more comes of evil.2SP 222.1 Those having knowledge of sacred truth, especially leaders and all connected with sacred duties, are to set an example in word and deportment that leads others to consecrated loving service.STB 628.4–629.2

Reverence for God is shown by honoring His name through careful obedience in everything from greatest to least, by fearing Him, walking in all His ways, loving and serving Him with all heart and soul, and keeping His commandments and statutes for good.STB 628.4–629.2 Professing to serve the Lord while refusing to obey His law is forbidden, since keeping the commandments is the required reverence.Ms 12, 1904, par. 19 Those who claim God as Creator and Redeemer must control self for His sake, purify the soul from all commonness, cleanse the soul-temple, and reveal piety, virtue and godliness in home life.STB 628.4–629.2+1 Every precaution is to be taken to prevent objectionable traits of character in children.7MR 14.3 Breaking this commandment is sin just as violating the laws governing the body is sin, because both break God's law.HL 21.2

The third commandment stands still binding and sacred, important to all who love and serve God as part of what He requires that His people may be holy unto Himself.Ms 12, 1904, par. 6–18+2 Its requirement remains in the present and still applies now, applying to every person today with no excuse accepted for disobedience.Ms 12, 1904, par. 6–18+3 It belongs among the definite commandments and statutes given through Moses to Israel as a people set apart to Him, words given for the people brought out of Egypt, whose faithful observance expressed obedience to God and called for sanctification of mind, soul, and body in perfect obedience to His will.Ms 29, 1900, par. 32–35+2

It is to be studied and put into practice, read to the people and read carefully with its charge regarded, with special interest in doing it.Lt 42, 1910, par. 6+1 Every soul is to search the Scriptures for himself and make the Word his own study book, sanctifying himself daily according to it.Lt 42, 1910, par. 6 It was to be kept constantly before the people and taught to their children, and parents must read and obey this part of Deuteronomy 5-7 in training children from infancy to form characters meeting God's approval.7MR 14.3+1 Those with knowledge of sacred truth and all leaders and those connected with sacred duties must set an example in word and deportment that leads others to consecrated loving service, taking heed to conversation and purifying the soul from all commonness.STB 628.4–629.2

Keeping it makes the right path plain and guards and shields from temptation and every false way.Ms 93, 1908, par. 50–53+1 Keeping His commandments and statutes in this way is for the people's good.STB 628.4–629.2 With entire consecration and surrender of soul it prepares for the present and future life and for admission into the city of God.7MR 14.3

Obedience is enjoined as the condition of prosperity and is needed for the Lord to cooperate with and bless His people, while disobedience and rebellion forfeit that blessing.Ms 12, 1904, par. 6–18+2 Failure comes from unbelief that clouds the mind so God is not reverenced or obeyed.Ms 12, 1904, par. 6–18+1 Full surrender and continuing simplicity of obedience according to His special directions is therefore required, with none of the important things in His Word neglected, lest one be found in rebellion instead of glorifying the Lord through an obedient life in lifting up the standard.Lt 42, 1910, par. 6

It presses the question whether it has been kept.Ms 12, 1904, par. 6–18 This is urgent when every character is being investigated and every case decided for eternity before God's great final review when all must stand before the Judge of all the earth to answer for deeds.Ms 12, 1904, par. 6–18+1