Q55. What does the third commandment forbid?
The third commandment forbids treating with disrespect anything by which God makes himself known.
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
Malachi 1:6–7, 12
“A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible. … But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the LORD is polluted; and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is contemptible.”
Malachi 2:2
“If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.”
Parent Guide
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Discussion Questions
- 1
What does the third commandment forbid?
- 2
What are some things "by which God makes himself known" that we could treat with disrespect?
- 3
Is there a way you have treated God's Word or worship carelessly without thinking about it?
Illustration
If someone crumpled up a letter your grandmother wrote you and used it as scrap paper, that would be disrespectful to your grandmother. God makes himself known through his names, his Word, his worship, and his creation. Treating any of these carelessly dishonors him.
Application
This commandment forbids more than just saying God's name as a swear word. It forbids any carelessness with the things of God. Ask God to open your eyes to ways you may treat his Word or worship lightly.