What steps can we take to ensure our actions glorify God, not profane Him? Who We Represent Ezekiel 36:20: “And wherever they went among the nations, they profaned My holy name, because it was said of them, ‘These are the people of the LORD, yet they had to leave His land.’” Israel bore God’s name, so their conduct shaped how the nations viewed Him. The same is true for every believer today (2 Corinthians 5:20; 1 Peter 2:9–10). If we claim Christ yet live contrary to His character, we misrepresent Him. Our goal, then, is to make His holiness visible in real life. What Profaning Looks Like • Public failure that contradicts our confession • Compromise that blurs the line between God’s people and the world (Ezekiel 22:26) • Grumbling, bitterness, or self-reliance that paints God as insufficient (Philippians 2:14–15) • Hypocrisy—wearing a “Christian” label while pursuing sin (Romans 2:23–24) Daily Commitments That Glorify, Not Profane 1. Receive a new heart daily • Ezekiel 36:26 promises a “new heart” and “new spirit.” Yield to the Spirit’s ongoing work (Galatians 5:16). • Confess sin quickly (1 John 1:9). A tender conscience guards God’s reputation. 2. Remember whose name we carry • Colossians 3:17: “Whatever you do… do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” • Start each day by affirming, “I belong to Christ; my actions today speak for Him.” 3. Pursue visible holiness • 1 Peter 1:15: “Be holy in all you do.” • Make choices that showcase God’s purity—entertainment, speech, sexuality, finances. 4. Practice public integrity • Titus 2:7–8: “In everything set them an example… so that those who oppose you may be ashamed.” • Keep promises, pay bills on time, work diligently (Ephesians 6:5–8). 5. Cultivate thankful speech • Psalm 50:23: “He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me.” • Replace complaining with gratitude; words frame God’s image for listeners. 6. Serve with Christlike love • Matthew 5:16: “Let your light shine… that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father.” • Look for small acts of mercy—listening, giving, encouraging—that reflect His heart. 7. Guard corporate witness • John 13:35: “By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” • Resolve conflicts biblically (Matthew 18:15-17); gossip and division stain His name. 8. Engage culture without compromise • Romans 12:2: “Do not be conformed… but be transformed.” • Participate, but filter everything through Scripture’s lens. 9. Live for God’s fame, not ours • 1 Corinthians 10:31: “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” • Seek applause in heaven rather than on earth; redirect praise to Him. 10. Fuel devotion with true worship • Psalm 115:1: “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name be the glory.” • Regular Bible intake, prayer, and gathered worship recalibrate motives. Encouraging Perspective God does not merely demand holiness; He provides it. Through Christ’s finished work and the Spirit’s indwelling power, every believer is equipped to honor His name (Ezekiel 36:27; Philippians 2:13). Walk in that confidence, and let every step showcase the glory of the One who saved you. |
    |