Hallowing God's Name: Integrity and Moral Courage

Names carry deep meaning and significance, shaping our identity and reflecting our character. Just as we are sensitive to how our own names are used, God’s name is of utmost importance—so much so that He revealed it to Moses as “Yahweh,” meaning “I am who I am,” the source and sustainer of all that exists. This name appears over 6,000 times in the Old Testament, underscoring its centrality. The third commandment, often remembered as “do not take the Lord’s name in vain,” is not primarily about cursing or using God’s name as an exclamation, but about honoring God’s name through truth-telling, promise-keeping, and living with integrity.

In ancient times, invoking God’s name was a way to guarantee the truthfulness of one’s words or the seriousness of a promise. To swear falsely by God’s name was to show deep disrespect, not only to God but to the very fabric of society, which depends on trust and integrity. The commandment carries a warning: God will not acquit those who misuse His name, highlighting the gravity of our words and commitments.

Integrity is at the heart of this commandment. Our word should be our bond, and our public and private lives should be consistent. When we bear God’s name—whether through our words, actions, or even the way we conduct business—we represent Him to the world. Violating this commandment can happen not only through overt acts, like using God’s name to justify evil, but also through omission—remaining silent in the face of injustice or living in ways that contradict the love and character of God.

Even the casual use of God’s name as an exclamation or curse word diminishes its significance. The Jewish tradition, out of reverence, eventually stopped pronouncing the name Yahweh altogether. While we need not go to such lengths, we are called to hallow God’s name—to treat it as holy and weighty, both in our speech and in the way we live.

Ultimately, honoring God’s name means living as people of integrity, truth, and love, so that others are drawn to God through us. Sometimes, as in the story of Irina Sendler, honoring God’s intent may require difficult moral choices, but the guiding principle remains: to love God, love our neighbor, and reflect God’s character in all we do.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s name, Yahweh, is not just a label but a revelation of His very being—the source and sustainer of all life. To know and use God’s name is to recognize His presence and authority in our lives, and to treat that name with reverence is to honor God Himself. Our relationship with God is reflected in how we speak about and invoke His name. [05:23]
• 2. The third commandment is fundamentally about integrity—truth-telling and promise-keeping. When we invoke God’s name in making promises or statements, we are staking our integrity and God’s reputation on our words. Society itself depends on this trust, and our faithfulness in small and large matters is a testimony to the God we serve. [07:12]
• 3. Bearing God’s name is not limited to our words; it extends to our actions and the way we live. When we claim to be followers of Christ, we carry His name into every interaction, decision, and relationship. Living inconsistently with God’s character—through dishonesty, unkindness, or hypocrisy—drags God’s name through the mud and can push others away from faith. [20:58]
• 4. Silence in the face of evil or injustice can be a violation of the third commandment by omission. When we fail to speak up or act against wrongdoing, especially when we bear God’s name, we give tacit approval to actions that grieve God. Our calling is to represent God’s justice and compassion, even when it is costly or uncomfortable. [20:58]
• 5. Honoring God’s name sometimes requires navigating complex moral situations, as illustrated by Irina Sendler’s courageous actions during the Holocaust. The heart of the commandment is not rigid legalism but a call to honor God and love our neighbor, even when the path is not straightforward. Integrity, courage, and love are the marks of those who truly hallow God’s name. [36:38]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:00] - The Significance of Names
• [03:00] - God’s Name Revealed: Yahweh
• [05:23] - The Meaning and Importance of Yahweh
• [07:12] - The Third Commandment: Promise-Keeping and Truth-Telling
• [10:20] - The Commandment’s Warning and Societal Impact
• [12:52] - Integrity: Our Word as Our Bond
• [13:59] - Living with Integrity in Daily Life
• [16:30] - The Cost of Honesty and Integrity
• [20:58] - Bearing God’s Name: Actions and Omissions
• [24:00] - Misusing God’s Name by Attributing Evil
• [27:00] - Everyday Violations: Speech and Behavior
• [30:30] - Reverence for God’s Name in Jewish Tradition
• [32:26] - Hallowing God’s Name in Word and Deed
• [35:30] - Irina Sendler: Integrity in Difficult Choices
• [36:38] - The Deeper Purpose of the Commandment and Closing Prayer

Bible Reading

Exodus 20:7 (ESV) — > “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.”

2. Leviticus 19:12 (ESV)
> “You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.”

3. Matthew 5:33-37 (ESV)
> “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.”

Observation Questions

1. According to Exodus 20:7, what is the consequence for taking the Lord’s name in vain?
2. In Leviticus 19:12, what specific action is forbidden, and what does it do to God’s name?
3. In Matthew 5:33-37, what does Jesus say about making oaths and how should our words be instead?
4. The sermon mentioned that God’s name “Yahweh” appears over 6,000 times in the Old Testament. Why is this repetition significant? [05:23]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God attaches such a strong warning to the misuse of His name in Exodus 20:7? What does this reveal about God’s character and priorities? [10:20]
2. The sermon explained that the third commandment is more about integrity—truth-telling and promise-keeping—than just avoiding cursing. Why is integrity so closely tied to honoring God’s name? [07:12]
3. Jesus teaches in Matthew 5:33-37 that our “yes” should be yes and our “no” should be no. What does this say about the kind of people God wants us to be, especially in a world where trust is often broken? [13:59]
4. The sermon gave examples of both commission (actively misusing God’s name) and omission (remaining silent in the face of evil) as ways to break the third commandment. Why is silence in the face of injustice considered a misuse of God’s name? [20:58]

Application Questions

1. The sermon asked, “What price does your integrity have?” Think about a recent situation where you could have benefited from being dishonest or breaking a promise. How did you respond, and what would you do differently now? [13:59]
2. When you make a promise or commitment, do you consider that you are representing God’s name? How might this change the way you approach your commitments at work, home, or church? [07:12]
3. The sermon described how even casual use of God’s name as an exclamation (“Oh my God!”) can diminish its significance. Are there habits in your speech that you want to change to better honor God’s name? What practical steps can you take? [30:30]
4. The story of Irina Sendler showed that sometimes honoring God’s intent requires difficult moral choices. Can you think of a time when doing the right thing was complicated or costly? How did you discern what to do? [36:38]
5. The sermon challenged us to live so that “the people who know you best respect you the most.” Is there an area of your life where your public and private actions don’t match? What is one step you can take this week to bring more integrity to that area? [13:59]
6. When have you been tempted to remain silent in the face of wrongdoing or injustice? What held you back from speaking or acting? How can you prepare yourself to respond differently next time? [20:58]
7. The sermon mentioned that many people are pushed away from faith because of Christians who act in ways that contradict God’s love and character. How can you be intentional about representing God’s name well in your daily interactions, especially with those who don’t share your faith? [20:58]