Topical Bible: God: Not to be Profaned

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The concept of God as holy and not to be profaned is a central theme throughout the Bible. The holiness of God signifies His absolute purity, separateness from sin, and His divine nature, which demands reverence and respect from His creation. The Bible consistently emphasizes the importance of honoring God's name, character, and sacred institutions, warning against any form of desecration or irreverence.

Old Testament Foundations

The Old Testament lays a strong foundation for understanding the holiness of God and the prohibition against profaning His name. In Leviticus 22:32, God commands the Israelites, "You must not profane My holy name, so that I may be sanctified among the Israelites. I am the LORD who sanctifies you." This verse underscores the expectation that God's people must uphold His holiness in their conduct and worship.

The Third Commandment, found in Exodus 20:7, further reinforces this principle: "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave anyone unpunished who takes His name in vain." This commandment highlights the seriousness with which God views the misuse or trivialization of His name.

The prophet Ezekiel also speaks to the issue of profaning God's name. In Ezekiel 36:20-23, God expresses His concern over the Israelites' actions that led to His name being profaned among the nations. He declares His intention to vindicate the holiness of His great name, emphasizing that His reputation and glory are paramount.

New Testament Continuation

The New Testament continues to affirm the sanctity of God's name and the call to honor Him. In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus teaches His disciples to pray, "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name" (Matthew 6:9). This petition reflects the desire for God's name to be revered and honored above all.

The apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently addresses the conduct of believers, urging them to live in a manner worthy of their calling and reflective of God's holiness. In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Paul reminds the Corinthians that their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and that they are to glorify God in their bodies, thus avoiding any form of profanation.

Consequences of Profaning God

The Bible provides numerous examples of the consequences faced by those who profane God. In Leviticus 10:1-2, Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, offer unauthorized fire before the LORD, resulting in their immediate death. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the seriousness with which God views His holiness and the proper conduct of worship.

In the New Testament, Acts 5:1-11 recounts the account of Ananias and Sapphira, who lied to the Holy Spirit and faced divine judgment. Their actions are seen as a form of profanation, as they attempted to deceive God and the early church community.

Call to Holiness

Believers are called to reflect God's holiness in their lives, avoiding any actions or words that would profane His name. 1 Peter 1:15-16 exhorts Christians, "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" This call to holiness is a response to the character of God and a commitment to live in a way that honors Him.

In summary, the Bible presents a consistent message that God is not to be profaned. His holiness demands reverence, and His name is to be honored above all. The call to holiness is a call to reflect God's character in every aspect of life, ensuring that His name is glorified among the nations.

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Exodus 20:7
You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that takes his name in vain.
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Leviticus 18:21
And you shall not let any of your seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shall you profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.
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Leviticus 19:12
And you shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shall you profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.
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Leviticus 20:3
And I will set my face against that man, and will cut him off from among his people; because he has given of his seed to Molech, to defile my sanctuary, and to profane my holy name.
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Leviticus 21:6
They shall be holy to their God, and not profane the name of their God: for the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and the bread of their God, they do offer: therefore they shall be holy.
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Leviticus 22:2,32
Speak to Aaron and to his sons, that they separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel, and that they profane not my holy name in those things which they hallow to me: I am the LORD.
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Deuteronomy 5:11
You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that takes his name in vain.
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Psalm 139:20
For they speak against you wickedly, and your enemies take your name in vain.
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Proverbs 30:9
Lest I be full, and deny you, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.
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Isaiah 52:5
Now therefore, what have I here, said the LORD, that my people is taken away for nothing? they that rule over them make them to howl, said the LORD; and my name continually every day is blasphemed.
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Romans 2:24
For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
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Revelation 16:9
And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which has power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.
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Library

Of Jeroboam, who Profaned the People Put under Him by the Impiety ...
... Chapter 22."Of Jeroboam, Who Profaned the People Put Under Him by the Impiety of
Idolatry, Amid Which, However, God Did Not Cease to Inspire the Prophets ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 22 of jeroboam who profaned.htm

Strength Profaned and Lost
... THE BOOK OF JUDGES STRENGTH PROFANED AND LOST. ... Samson's zeal, which yet was accepted
of God, preach the precious lesson that God does not require virtues ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/strength profaned and lost.htm

Sabbaths were Instituted on Account of the People's Sins, and not ...
... between Me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God. ... My anger upon them;
yet I did it not; that My name might not be altogether profaned in the ...
/.../chapter xxi sabbaths were instituted on.htm

Now the Species is not Always Overstepped, for Things are Often ...
... my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the ...
written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 48 now the species.htm

The Grace by which the Stony Heart is Removed is not Preceded by ...
... another passage, also, by the same prophet, God, in the clearest language, shows
us that it is not owing to ... holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 30 the grace by which.htm

Hallowed be Thy Name.
... Here again must the name of God come to shame and be profaned because of us. ... and
heavenly children, so that people say of us that we must be not God's, but the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the large catechism/hallowed be thy name.htm

The Testimonies of Scripture in Favour of Grace.
... says, "These things saith the Lord God: I do not this for your sakes, O house of
Israel, but for mine own holy name's sake, which has been profaned among the ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 14 the testimonies of scripture.htm

That God is not Corruptible, Who, if He Were, Would not be God at ...
... corruption by which Thy substance can by no means be profaned. ... by no unforeseen
chance,"because He is God, and what ... that good; but to be corrupted is not good ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter iv that god is not.htm

Sanctification is a Mystery.
... The human heart is like that harp: God created it pure that we might keep the law;
which an impure heart can not do. Hence being profaned and unholy, it must ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/ii sanctification is a mystery.htm

And when Jesus came to a Certain Village, There Drew Near to Him a ...
... [1566] And because of this especially the Jews sought to kill him, not because he
profaned the sabbath only; but for his saying also that God was his Father ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section xxii and when jesus.htm