Word without devotion, jesting about sacred things, quoting Scripture in
fun, and the like. Thoughtlessness is no excuse. We must give an account
to God for every idle word; [Matt. 12:36+] how much more for every vain
use of His name.

2. _Intentionally._ This is done by those who

CURSE; [Jas. 3:9, 10, Matt. 5:44, Rom. 12:14+] that is, by those who
call on God to do evil to themselves or to others. Disguised forms of
cursing are sinful also.

SWEAR. We are forbidden to confirm what we say by the use of God's name,
either

_Needlessly_ [Matt. 5:34-37+] in our ordinary conversation, or

_Falsely_ [Lev. 19:12+] before a magistrate.

There is a Legal Oath: [Deut. 6:13, Heb. 5:16] 1. Of Witness. 2. Of
Innocence. 3. Of Allegiance, 4. Of Office. The oath taken by our Lord
before the high-priest shows that the oath before a magistrate is not
forbidden. [Matt. 26:63, 64] When taking a legal oath, we must be
careful to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
False swearing or perjury is a great sin. It is punished by the State,
and will be punished by God. [Ezek. 17:19]

Swearing by anything besides God's name is forbidden also. [Matt.
5:34-37+]

CONJURE. [Deut. 18:10-12+] This commandment forbids all magic arts,