Question 99 - What is required in the third commandment?

Answer - We are not to blaspheme or to abuse the Name of God by cursing,¹ perjury,² or unnecessary oaths,³ nor to share in such horrible sins by being silent bystanders.⁴ In short, we must use the holy Name of God only with fear and reverence,⁵ so that we may rightly confess Him,⁶ call upon Him,⁷ and praise Him in all our words and works.⁸

¹ Lev. 24:10-17. ² Lev. 19:12 ³ Matt. 5:37; James 5:12. ⁴ Lev. 5:1; Prov. 29:24. ⁵ Ps. 99:1-5; Is. 45:23; Jer. 4:2. ⁶ Matt. 10:32, 33; Rom. 10:9, 10. ⁷ Ps. 50:14, 15; I Tim. 2:8. ⁸ Rom. 2:24; Col. 3:17; I Tim. 6:1.

Question 100 - Is the blaspheming of God's Name by swearing and cursing such a grievous sin that God is angry also with those who do not prevent and forbid it as much as they can?

Answer - Certainly,¹ for no sin is greater or provokes God's wrath more than the blaspheming of His Name. That is why He commanded it to be punished with death.²

¹ Lev. 5:1. ² Lev. 24:16.