But though there is far too much of this frivolous, familiar use of
God's name, the commandment is broken a great deal more by profanity.
Taking the name of God in vain is blasphemy. Is there a swearing man
who reads this? What would you do if you were put into the balances of
the sanctuary, if you had to step in opposite to this third
commandment? Think a moment. Have you been taking God's name in vain
to-day?
I do not believe men would ever have been guilty of swearing unless
God had forbidden it. They do not swear by their friends, their
fathers or mothers, their wives or children. They want to show how
they despise God's law.
A great many men think there is nothing in swearing. Bear in mind that
God sees something wrong in it, and He says He will not hold men
guiltless, even though society does.
I met a man sometime ago who told me he had never sinned in his life.
He was the first perfect man I had ever met. I thought I would
question him, and began to measure him by the law. I asked him: "Do
you ever get angry?" "Well," he said, "sometimes I do; but I have a
right to do so. It is righteous indignation." "Do you swear when you
get angry?" He admitted he did sometimes. "Then," I asked, "are you
ready to meet God?" "Yes," he replied, "because I never mean anything
when I swear."
Suppose I steal a man's watch and he comes after me.
"Yes," I say, "I stole your watch and pawned it, but _I did not mean
anything by it_. I pawned it and spent the money, but _I did not mean
anything by it_."
You would smile at and deride such a statement.
Ah, friends! You cannot trifle with God in that way. Even if you swear
without meaning it, it is forbidden by God. Christ said: "Every idle
word that men shall speak, they shall give an account thereof in the
day of judgment; for by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy
words thou shalt be condemned." You will be held accountable whether
your words are _idle_ or _blasphemous_.