Common Blasphemies We Commit

"If you will not listen, if you will not take it to heart to give honor to my name, says the LORD of hosts, then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart."  Mal 2:2 ESV
 
Blasphemy is one of the worst possible sins in the Bible.  Another passage in the Bible tells us that cursing God was a capital offense.  It was punishable by death.

As we see from this verse, failure to honor God’s name results in a direct curse from God.  It even says that the blessings God gives will be turned into a curse.  We may think of the quail that the Lord gave to the Israelites in the wilderness.  The Israelites were failing to give honor to God as the one who had just saved them out of Egypt and they did not recognize his power to sustain.  So he gave them quail.  But the quail, thought it was a blessing, it was also a curse—it turned into a plague.

So it behooves us to recognize how circumspect we should be when it comes to honoring God’s name and giving him the reverence he is due.

When we think of blasphemy, we typically think of taking God’s name in vain.  This is the most direct form.  Using God’s name as an expletive not only empties it of its infinite value, but it also uses that which is holy for profane purposes.  This is also true of the diminished forms of God’s name, such as “omg” or “gosh” (God) or “geez” (Jesus). 

But we must also recognize that God’s name stands for anything which is associated with God himself.  So it is not just his names, but his word, worship, attributes, & works. 

For instance, when a child draws a picture, you do not criticize the work and say it looks nothing like what he/she was trying to depict.  Why?  Because you know that you might make that child cry.  The criticism of the art is an insult to the artist himself.

The same is true when it comes to God's name.  When we disparage anything connected to God (like the weather or some providence He brings our way), it is a criticism of God himself.

So we must be careful to recognize the depths of the third commandment. Did you grumble at the weather this morning?  The Lord produced the ice and it is one of his marvelous works.  Are you not engaged in the songs you sing or giving attention to the word?  That is God's worship & God's word and that flippancy is a form of blasphemy.

I remember one time in Seminary we had a break between classes.  A few of us headed to the men’s room.  Just as we opened the door, three guys were heading out.  We were all chatting in our respective groups, and we almost collided when the door opened.  I cried out, “Holy cow!” It just popped out of my mouth as a natural reaction to the close encounter.  A terribly awkward silence immediately followed.  It was then awkwardly broken by one student saying, “Yes, you have to watch out for those sacred bovine.”

My irreverent use of God’s most grand attribute was certainly brought home.

As we come to our time of confession this morning, let us take to heart the ways we have blasphemed God.  Whether it be in the profanities we have uttered, disrespect we have shown, or irreverent attitudes we my have had towards God’s person and work, let us confess them and ask that God hold back the curses he has threatened for it.
 
Almighty God,
You have pledged that you will not hold him guiltless who takes your name in vain.  Lord, we confess that we have been a blasphemous people in that we have failed to honor you and uphold your majesty.  We admit that have not treated the reading & preaching of your word with the highest esteem.  

We acknowledge that we have not been as engaged as we should be.  We have let our minds wander in prayer, we have been flippant when approaching the Communion Table, we have spent little time glorifying you and meditating on the wonder of your being. 

Our Lord our God, we admit that we have not reverenced you as we ought and we beg your pardon.

Forgive us for having the heart of Esau, who would profane his birthright by selling it for a pot of porridge.  Give us grace to overcome the sacrilege of the Israelites who treated the sacred Ark of the Covenant as a superstitious toy.  Let us be freed from the attitude of Paul, who kicked against the goads and ignored the testimony of the saints.