Third Commandment Interpreted

A euphemism is the substitution of an more agreeable and acceptable phrase or word for one considered offensive and in bad taste. Some euphemisms are quite proper and useful in speech. Regrettably, many people commonly employ thoughtless euphemisms for God's name. This message begins a consideration of these euphemisms in the light of the third commandment, 'You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain...'(Exodus 20:7, Deuteronomy 5:11). This issue of euphemisms for the divine name is first set forth in a larger context and the third commandment is then expounded.