Blasphemy

God requires us to show him honour, reverence and great respect. He is the great creator of the world around us.. Blasphemy is treating God with contempt. We must be careful how we act and how we speak.

There are a number of ways in which people can blaspheme:

• Misusing or profaning God’s name
• Forsaking God
• Worshipping other gods
• Sinning defiantly

The common theme here is disrespect for God. So any action that involves deliberate disrespect for God is blasphemy.

Misusing or profaning God’s name

God’s name and his Son Jesus name have very deep spiritual meanings. When we speak of God we are touching upon every aspect of His wonderful purpose of love and truth. That God’s Name should be used in vain as a mild expletive or expression of exasperation, is therefore one of the most insulting things a man can do to his Maker.

"You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. Exodus Ch.20:7

"Do not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people. Exodus Ch.22:28

"Do not swear falsely by my name and so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD. Leviticus Ch.19:12

Do not profane my holy name. I must be acknowledged as holy by the Israelites. I am the LORD, who makes you holy Leviticus Ch22:32

Because of this anyone who wants to please God and honour Him will make every effort not to use God’s name lightly. If you have blasphemed his name in the past then a heartfelt prayer to God for help to break this habit will help.

God expects his people to respect him, acknowledge him as holy and to worship Him with great respect.

It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him. Deuteronomy Ch.13:4

"Tell Aaron and his sons to treat with respect the sacred offerings the Israelites consecrate to me, so they will not profane my holy name. I am the LORD. Leviticus Ch22:2

"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being." Revelation Ch.4:11

Forsaking God

"Therefore, son of man, speak to the people of Israel and say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: In this also your fathers blasphemed me by forsaking me: Ezekiel Ch.20:27

Worshipping other gods

I will set my face against that man and I will cut him off from his people; for by giving his children to Molech, he has defiled my sanctuary and profaned my holy name. Leviticus Ch.20:3

Sinning defiantly

" 'But anyone who sins defiantly, whether native-born or alien, blasphemes the LORD, and that person must be cut off from his people. Because he has despised the LORD's word and broken his commands, that person must surely be cut off; his guilt remains on him.' " Numbers Ch.15:30-31

God was willing to forgive those who made unintentional errors if they realised their mistakes quickly and corrected them. However, those who defiantly and deliberately sinned received a harsher judgment. Intentional sin grows out of an improper attitude toward God.

Forgiveness

Blasphemy can be forgiven – an example is the apostle Paul.

Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy Ch.1:13-14

Paul rejected Jesus as the Son of God – so he blasphemed. He later on repented and was forgiven.

There is one sin that cannot be forgiven and that is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.

I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin." Mark Ch.3:28-29

Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit happens when a person deliberately and consciously shows contempt for the power of God. An example of this was when the Jews said that the power of Jesus to heal people came from an “evil spirit”.

Summary

It is critical that we show respect and reverence to God and his son, Jesus in all aspects of our life.

You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! Psalm 22:23