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mouth and tongue to God。 For the first objects that spring from the
heart and manifest themselves are words。 Now； as I have taught above
how to answer the question； what it is to have a god； so you must learn
to comprehend simply the meaning of this and all the commandments； and
to apply it to yourself。 If； then； it be asked： How do you understand
the Second Commandment； or what is meant by taking in vain； or misusing
God's name？ answer briefly thus： It is misusing God's name when we call
upon the Lord God no matter in what way； for purposes of falsehood or
wrong of any kind。 Therefore this commandment enjoins this much； that
God's name must not be appealed to falsely； or taken upon the lips
while the heart knows well enough； or should know； differently； as
among those who take oaths in court； where one side lies against the
other。 For God's name cannot be misused worse than for the support of
falsehood and deceit。 Let4this remain the exact German and simplest
meaning of this commandment。
From this every one can readily infer when and in how many ways God's
name is misused； although it is impossible to enumerate all its
misuses。 Yet； to tell it in a few words； all misuse of the divine name
occurs； first； in worldly business and in matters which concern money；
possessions； honor； whether it be publicly in court； in the market； or
wherever else men make false oaths in God's name； or pledge their souls
in any matter。 And this is especially prevalent in marriage affairs
where two go and secretly betroth themselves to one another； and
afterward abjure ＇their plighted troth＇。
But。 the greatest abuse occurs in spiritual matters； which pertain to
the conscience； when false preachers rise up and offer their Lying
vanities as God's Word。 Behold； all this is decking one's self out with
God's name； or making a pretty show； or claiming to be right； whether
it occur in gross； worldly business or in sublime； subtle matters of
faith and doctrine。 And among liars belong also blasphemers； not alone
the very gross； well known to every one； who disgrace God's name
without fear （these are not for us； but for the hangman to discipline）；
but also those who publicly traduce the truth and God's Word and
consign it to the devil。 Of this there is no need now to speak further。
Here； then； let us learn and take to heart the great importance of this
commandment； that with all diligence we may guard against and dread
every misuse of the holy name； as the greatest sin that can be
outwardly committed。 For to lie and deceive is in itself a great sin；
but is greatly aggravated when we attempt to justify it； and seek to
confirm it by invoking the name of God and using it as a cloak for
shame； so that from a single lie a double lie； nay； manifold lies；
result。
For this reason； too； God has added a solemn threat to this
commandment； to wit： For the Lord will not hold him guiltless that
taketh His name in van。 That is： It shall not be condoned to any one
nor pass unpunished。 For as little as He will leave it unavenged if any
one turn his heart from Him； as little will He suffer His name to be
employed for dressing up a lie。 Now alas！ it is a common calamity in
all the word that there are as few who are not using the name of God
for purposes of Lying and all wickedness as there are those who with
their heart trust alone in God。 For by nature we all have within us
this beautiful virtue； to wit； that whoever has committed a wrong would
like to cover up and adorn his disgrace； so that no one may see it or
know it； and no one is so bold as to boast to all the world of the
wickedness he has perpetrated； all wish to act by stealth and without
any one being aware of what thy do。 Then； if any one be arraigned； the
name of God is dragged into the affair and must make the villainy look
like godliness； and the shame like honor。 This is the common course of
the world； which； like a great deluge； has flooded all lands。 Hence we
have also as our reward what we seek and deserve： pestilences wars；
famines； conflagrations； floods； wayward wives； children； servants； and
all sorts of defilement。 Whence else should so much misery come？ It is
still a great mercy that the earth bears and supports us。
Therefore； above all things； our young people should have this
commandment earnestly enforced upon them； and they should be trained to
hold this and the First Commandment in high regard； and whenever they
transgress； we must at once be after them with the rod and hold the
commandment before them； and constantly inculcate it； so as to bring
them up not only with punishment； but also in the reverence and fear of
God。
Thus you now understand what。 it is to take God's name in vain； that is
（to recapitulate briefly）； either simply for purposes of falsehood； and
to allege God's name for something that is not so； or to curse； swear；
conjure； and； in short； to practice whatever wickedness one may。
Besides this you must also know how to use the name ＇of God＇ aright。
For when saying： Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God； in
vain； He gives us to understand at the same time that it is to be used
properly。 For it has been revealed and given to us for the very purpose
that it may be of constant use and profit。 Hence it is a natural
inference； since using the holy name for falsehood or wickedness is
here forbidden； that we are； on the other hand； commanded to employ it
for truth and for all good； as when one swears truly where there is
need and it is demanded。 So also when there is right teaching； and when
the name is invoked in trouble or praised and thanked in prosperity
etc。； all of which is comprehended summarily and commanded in the
passage Ps。 50； 15： Call upon Me in the days of trouble； I will deliver
thee； and thou shalt glorify Me。 For all this is bringing 't into the
service of truth； and using it in a blessed way； and thus His name is
hallowed； as we pray in the Lord's Prayer。
Thus you have the sum of the entire commandment explained。 And with
this understanding the question with which many teachers have troubled
themselves has been easily solved； to wit； why swearing is prohibited
in the Gospel； and yet Christ； St。 Paul； and other saints often swore。
The explanation is briefly this： We are not to swear in support of
evil； that is； of falsehood； and where there is no need or use； but for
the support of good and the advantage of our neighbor we should swear。
For it is a truly good work； by which God is praised； truth and right
are established； falsehood is refuted； peace is made among men；
obedience is rendered； and quarrels are settled。 For in this way God
Himself interposes and separates between right and wrong； good and
evil。 If one part swears falsely； he has his sentence that he shall not
escape punishment； ad though it be deferred a long time； he shall not
succeed； that all that he may gain thereby will slip out of his hands；
and he will never enjoy it； as I have seen in the case of many who
perjured themselves in their marriage…vows； that they have never had a
happy hour or a healthful day； and thus perished miserably in body；
soul； and possessions。
Th