Topical Bible: God: Profaned

◄ God: Profaned ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of God being profaned is a significant theme in the Bible, reflecting the seriousness with which God's holiness and name are to be regarded. To profane something is to treat it with irreverence or disrespect, and when it comes to God, this act is seen as a grave offense. The Bible provides numerous instances and teachings on how God's name, character, and sacred things can be profaned by human actions and attitudes.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the holiness of God is a central theme, and the Israelites are repeatedly warned against profaning His name. Leviticus 22:32 states, "You must not profane My holy name, so that I may be sanctified among the Israelites. I am the LORD who sanctifies you." This command underscores the importance of maintaining the sanctity of God's name, which is intrinsically linked to His identity and reputation among His people and the nations.

The prophets frequently addressed the issue of profaning God's name through idolatry and disobedience. Ezekiel 36:20-23 highlights how the Israelites' actions led to the profanation of God's name among the nations: "And wherever they went among the nations, they profaned My holy name, for it was said of them, ‘These are the people of the LORD, yet they had to leave His land.’ But I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations to which they had gone. Therefore, say to the house of Israel that this is what the Lord GOD says: It is not for your sake that I will act, O house of Israel, but for My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of profaning God is expanded to include the actions and attitudes of believers. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, emphasizes the importance of living in a manner that honors God and avoids bringing reproach upon His name. Romans 2:23-24 addresses the issue of hypocrisy among believers: "You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? As it is written: 'God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.'"

The New Testament also highlights the sanctity of God's temple, which, under the new covenant, is the body of believers. In 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 , Paul writes, "Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple." This passage underscores the seriousness of maintaining holiness in the community of believers, as any profanation of God's temple is a direct affront to His holiness.

Practical Implications

The biblical teaching on profaning God serves as a call to reverence and holiness in the lives of believers. It is a reminder that God's name, character, and presence are to be treated with the utmost respect and honor. This involves not only avoiding overt acts of disrespect but also living in a way that reflects God's holiness and righteousness. Believers are called to be ambassadors of God's name, ensuring that their actions and words do not bring dishonor to Him.

In summary, the Bible presents the profanation of God as a serious offense that has implications for both individuals and communities. It calls for a life of holiness and reverence, recognizing the sacredness of God's name and presence among His people.

Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 139:20
For they speak against you wickedly, and your enemies take your name in vain.
Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 26:74
Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
Nave's Topical Index

Strong's Hebrew

2486. chalilah -- far be it!
... Or chalilah {khaw-lee'-law}; a directive from chalal; literal for a profaned thing;
used (interj.) Far be it! -- be far, (X God) forbid. see HEBREW chalal. ...
/hebrew/2486.htm - 6k

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. ... the lords of the Philistines gathered
them together for to offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their god, and to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/strength profaned and lost.htm

The King, Hearing These Words, Answered, that He was Both Willing ...
... to the eastward, beyond the river Derwent, and is now called Godmunddingaham, where
the high priest, by the inspiration of the true God, profaned and destroyed ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xiii the king hearing.htm

Hallowed be Thy Name.
... Now the name of God is profaned by us either in words or in works. ... Here again must
the name of God come to shame and be profaned because of us. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the large catechism/hallowed be thy name.htm

That God is not Corruptible, Who, if He Were, Would not be God at ...
... itself was," that is, whence comes the corruption by which Thy substance can by
no means be profaned. For corruption, truly, in no way injures our God,"by no ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter iv that god is not.htm

The Tests of Love to God
... To see, not only the banks of religion, but morality, broken down, and a flood of
wickedness coming in; to see God's sabbaths profaned, His oaths violated, His ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/the tests of love to.htm

The Grace by which the Stony Heart is Removed is not Preceded by ...
... which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them;
and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord God, when I ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 30 the grace by which.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

Sanctification is a Mystery.
... Since man profaned himself, he is called of God to resanctify himself. Hence the
claim of sanctification contains not even the shadow of a mystery. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/ii sanctification is a mystery.htm

But Even this is Nothing. ...
... The People, seeing the temple fall, believed that Heaven itself crumbled; and that,
following the profaned image of a vanishing worship, God himself would ...
/.../lamartine/atheism among the people/xi but even this is.htm