What other scriptures emphasize the importance of honoring God's name? Honoring God’s Name: Malachi’s Wake-Up Call Malachi 2:1-2: “And now this decree is for you, O priests: ‘If you do not listen, and if you do not take it to heart to give honor to My name,’ says the LORD of Hosts, ‘then I will send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings.’” God’s rebuke to Israel’s spiritual leaders sets the tone: honoring His name is non-negotiable. Scriptures That Command Reverence • Exodus 20:7: “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.” • Leviticus 19:12: “You must not swear falsely by My name and so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.” • Deuteronomy 28:58: “If you do not carefully observe… and fear this glorious and awesome name—the LORD your God—” • Isaiah 42:8: “I am the LORD; that is My name! I will not give My glory to another or My praise to idols.” • Ezekiel 36:23: “I will show the holiness of My great name… Then the nations will know that I am the LORD…” Scriptures That Celebrate His Name in Worship • Psalm 34:3: “Magnify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together.” • Psalm 111:9: “He has sent redemption to His people; He has ordained His covenant forever; holy and awesome is His name.” • Psalm 115:1: “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name be the glory, because of Your loving devotion, because of Your faithfulness.” • Malachi 1:6: “‘A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a Father, where is My honor?…’ says the LORD of Hosts.” Scriptures That Center Prayer on His Name • Matthew 6:9: “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.’” • John 17:11: “Holy Father, protect them by the power of Your name, the name You gave Me…” • Acts 4:12: “Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Scriptures That Guard His Name in Daily Life and Witness • Colossians 3:17: “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” • Philippians 2:9-11: “God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” • 1 Timothy 6:1: “All who are under the yoke of slavery should regard their own masters as worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching will not be discredited.” • 1 Peter 4:16: “If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God that you bear that name.” • James 2:7: “Are they not the ones who blaspheme the noble name by which you were called?” Living It Out Today The sweep of Scripture—from the Law to the Prophets, from the Psalms to the New Testament—calls every believer to revere, proclaim, and embody the holiness of God’s name. Our words, worship, prayers, and daily conduct either honor or profane that name. In light of Malachi’s warning, let every aspect of life echo the conviction: His name is worthy of highest honor. |
    |