Irreverence
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Topical Encyclopedia
Irreverence, in a biblical context, refers to a lack of respect or reverence for God, His commandments, His institutions, or anything deemed sacred. This attitude is often characterized by a disregard for the holiness and authority of God, leading to actions or behaviors that are contrary to His will.

Biblical Instances of Irreverence

1. Nadab and Abihu: One of the most striking examples of irreverence in the Bible is the account of Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron. In Leviticus 10:1-2 , they offered "unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to His command." As a result, fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them. This incident underscores the seriousness with which God views irreverence, especially in matters of worship.

2. Uzzah and the Ark: Another example is found in 2 Samuel 6:6-7 , where Uzzah touched the Ark of the Covenant to steady it, an act of irreverence that led to his immediate death. This event highlights the importance of respecting God's instructions and the sacredness of His symbols.

3. Belshazzar's Feast: In Daniel 5, King Belshazzar displayed irreverence by using the sacred vessels from the Jerusalem temple to drink wine and praise false gods. This act of disrespect led to the writing on the wall and the subsequent fall of his kingdom, as described in Daniel 5:22-23 .

Teachings on Irreverence

The Bible consistently warns against irreverence and emphasizes the need for a respectful and humble approach to God. Proverbs 9:10 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." This verse suggests that reverence for God is foundational to a proper relationship with Him.

In the New Testament, irreverence is addressed in various contexts. In Romans 1:21 , Paul describes how irreverence leads to a darkened heart: "For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened."

Consequences of Irreverence

The Bible makes it clear that irreverence has serious consequences. It can lead to spiritual blindness, moral decay, and ultimately, divine judgment. Hebrews 12:28-29 exhorts believers to "worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire." This passage serves as a reminder of the holiness of God and the importance of approaching Him with the utmost respect.

Encouragement to Reverence

Believers are encouraged to cultivate a heart of reverence through prayer, worship, and obedience to God's Word. Psalm 89:7 declares, "In the council of the holy ones, God is greatly feared, and awesome above all who surround Him." This reverence is not only a duty but a privilege, as it draws believers closer to the heart of God and aligns them with His purposes.

In summary, irreverence is a serious offense in the biblical narrative, with numerous examples and teachings underscoring the importance of honoring God and His sacred commands. The call to reverence is a call to recognize God's holiness and to live in a manner that reflects His glory.
Topical Bible Verses
Hebrews 10:26-31
For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins,
Topicalbible.org

Revelation 14:7
Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
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Exodus 20:8
Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
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Matthew 12:31-32
Why I say to you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven to men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven to men.
Topicalbible.org

Psalm 115:11
You that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
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Revelation 1:7
Behold, he comes with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(n.) Disregard for what is sacred; disrespect of the authority and character of a superior.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
IRREVERENCE

i-rev'-er-ens.

See CRIME, CRIMES.

Greek
763. asebeia -- ungodliness, impiety
... impiety. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: asebeia Phonetic Spelling:
(as-eb'-i-ah) Short Definition: impiety, irreverence, wickedness Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/763.htm - 7k
Strong's Hebrew
7944. shal -- perhaps error
... 7943, 7944. shal. 7945 . perhaps error. Transliteration: shal Phonetic
Spelling: (shal) Short Definition: irreverence. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/7944.htm - 6k
Library

Inexcusable Irreverence and Ingratitude
... Inexcusable Irreverence And Ingratitude. A Sermon ... III. Now I finish with my third
point, which is, that THIS IRREVERENCE AND INGRATITUDE WERE AGAINST KNOWLEDGE. ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/inexcusable irreverence and ingratitude.htm

The Christian Refusal to Swear by the Genius of C??sar Flippancy ...
... Book I. Chapter XVII. "The Christian Refusal to Swear by the Genius of
C??sar Flippancy and Irreverence Retorted on the Heathen. ...
/.../tertullian/ad nationes/chapter xvii name christian refusal.htm

Whether Sacrilege is the violation of a Sacred Thing?
... God. Therefore whatever pertains to irreverence for sacred things is an
injury to God, and comes under the head of sacrilege. Reply ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether sacrilege is the violation.htm

Of the Temptation of God (Four Articles)
... Such are the vices which pertain to contempt or irreverence for God and holy
things. Accordingly we shall consider: (1) Vices pertaining ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/of the temptation of god.htm

Whether Temptation of God is Opposed to the virtue of Religion?
... Wherefore whatever pertains directly to irreverence for God is opposed to
religion. Now it is evident that to tempt a person pertains ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether temptation of god is.htm

Reverence in Prayer
... The prophet is protesting against the scandalous irreverence, and the open profanity,
of the people of Israel in their approaches to Almighty God. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/whyte/lord teach us to pray/xvii reverence in prayer.htm

Our Attitude Toward his Sovereignty
... None can serve two masters. Irreverence begets disobedience. ... Now if irreverence begets
disobedience, true reverence will produce and promote obedience. ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter ten our attitude toward.htm

The Absolute Godhood of God is Seen in Salvation
... One of the most flagrant sins of this age is irreverence. By irreverence I am not
now thinking of open blasphemy, or the taking of God'sname in vain. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the godhood of god/4 the absolute godhood of.htm

The Shaking of the Heavens and the Earth.
... This, this is irreverence: but it is neither irreverence nor want of faith, if a
man, awed by the mystery which encompasses him from the cradle to the grave ...
/.../kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon viii the shaking of.htm

The Words, "All Things were Made by Him," are not a Proof that the ...
... it could be proved by other passages that the Son, and even the Father Himself,
must be numbered amongst all things, which would be similar irreverence. 27. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter ii the words all.htm

Thesaurus
Irreverence (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. IRREVERENCE. i-rev'-er-ens. See CRIME, CRIMES.
Multi-Version Concordance Irreverence (1 Occurrence). ...
/i/irreverence.htm - 7k

Profane (69 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Unclean; impure; polluted; unholy. 3. (a.) Treating sacred things with contempt,
disrespect, irreverence, or undue familiarity; irreverent; impious. ...
/p/profane.htm - 30k

Crimes (22 Occurrences)
... Injuries to the Person (Exodus 21:18 Leviticus 24:19 Deuteronomy 25:11). Irreverence. ...
Reviling (Exodus 22:28). See Irreverence above and article REVILE. ...
/c/crimes.htm - 44k

Crime (45 Occurrences)
... Injuries to the Person (Exodus 21:18 Leviticus 24:19 Deuteronomy 25:11). Irreverence. ...
Reviling (Exodus 22:28). See Irreverence above and article REVILE. ...
/c/crime.htm - 51k

Violation (6 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) An act of irreverence or desecration; profanation or contemptuous
treatment of sacred things; as, the violation of a church. ...
/v/violation.htm - 8k

Irreverent (1 Occurrence)

/i/irreverent.htm - 6k

Irresolute (1 Occurrence)

/i/irresolute.htm - 6k

Impiety (9 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Irreverence toward the Supreme Being; ungodliness;
wickedness. 2. (n.) An impious act; an act of wickedness. ...
/i/impiety.htm - 9k

Profanity (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The quality or state of being profane; profaneness;
irreverence; esp., the use of profane language; blasphemy. ...
/p/profanity.htm - 7k

Profanation (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) The act of violating sacred things, or of treating them with contempt or
irreverence; irreverent or too familiar treatment or use of what is sacred ...
/p/profanation.htm - 7k

Resources
What is sacrilege? What does it mean to be sacrilegious? | GotQuestions.org

What is the unpardonable sin / unforgivable sin? | GotQuestions.org

What is the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? | GotQuestions.org

Irreverence: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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