How can we honor God's "holy things" in our daily lives today? Listening to Ezekiel 22:8 Today “You have despised My holy things and profaned My Sabbaths.” God’s charge against Judah was clear: His set-apart treasures were treated as ordinary. The verse still calls us: “Honor what I call holy.” What Counts as “Holy Things”? Scripture names several spheres God labels holy: • His Name – Exodus 20:7; Matthew 6:9 • His Word – Psalm 19:7-11; 2 Timothy 3:16-17 • His Day – Genesis 2:3; Isaiah 58:13-14 • His Worship gatherings – Hebrews 10:25 • His Ordinances – Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-26) • His Temple – now our bodies and church fellowship (1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19-20) • His People – called “a holy nation” (1 Peter 2:9) • His Resources – tithes, offerings, possessions (Malachi 3:8-10; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8) Why It Matters • Reverencing what God declares holy guards us from idolatry. • It keeps our hearts soft, aligned with His character (1 Peter 1:15-16). • It showcases the gospel to a watching world (Matthew 5:16). Daily Practices That Honor God’s Holy Things 1. Treat His Name as Weighty – Refuse casual “OMG” talk. – When you speak of Him, do so with awe (Psalm 34:3). 2. Keep His Word Central – Schedule unhurried reading; let Scripture shape decisions (Psalm 119:11). – Memorize verses; share them naturally in conversation (Colossians 3:16). 3. Guard His Day – Set aside Sunday for gathered worship, rest, and mercy works (Isaiah 58:13-14; Mark 2:27). – Reduce needless commerce and digital noise; make room for family discipleship. 4. Engage Corporate Worship Reverently – Arrive prepared, prayed-up, and punctual (Ecclesiastes 5:1-2). – Sing, listen, and give with whole heart (Psalm 95:1-6). 5. Approach the Lord’s Table Carefully – Examine yourself (1 Corinthians 11:27-29). – Reconcile strained relationships ahead of time (Matthew 5:23-24). 6. Steward Your Body as His Temple – Flee sexual immorality, substance abuse, gluttony (1 Corinthians 6:18-20). – Pursue sleep, exercise, and wholesome food in gratitude. 7. Honor His People – Speak well of fellow believers; refuse gossip (Ephesians 4:29). – Serve needs sacrificially, as unto Christ (Matthew 25:40). 8. Consecrate Your Possessions – Tithe first, not last (Proverbs 3:9-10). – Budget generosity; hold things loosely (Acts 20:35). 9. Cultivate a Habitation of Holiness at Home – Choose media that reflects God’s purity (Philippians 4:8). – Display Scripture; create spaces for prayer and conversation. 10. Carry Holiness into the Marketplace – Work honestly, diligently, and kindly (Colossians 3:23-24). – Refuse shady deals; let integrity show Christ’s lordship. Encouragement to Continue Honoring God’s holy things is not sterile rule-keeping; it is vibrant relationship. As we set apart what He sets apart, we taste His nearness and display His glory until Christ returns. |
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