“Neither shall ye profane my holy name; but I will be hallowed among the children of Israel: I am the Lord which hallow you.”
(Leviticus 22:32)
God’s name is the declaration of who He is, revealing His attributes, power, and covenantal presence. His names throughout Scripture show aspects of His nature—Yahweh, the self-existent One; El Shaddai, Almighty God; Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides. So to profane His name is to denigrate His person, dismiss His character, and mock His promises.
Scripture warns us that to take God’s name in vain is a direct assault against the holiness of the Most High. He states, “The Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain” (Exod. 20:7). And the penalty under Law for such an offense was death (Lev. 24:16), demonstrating the seriousness with which God demands reverence for His holy name.
The story of Sennacherib in Isaiah 36-37 portrays this perfectly. This wicked king of Assyria treated the God of Israel like one among many worthless idols. And God’s resulting judgment was swift. One angel struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in a single night in order to demonstrate how vehemently God defends the honor of His name.
Likewise, in the early church, Ananias and Sapphira dared to lie to the Holy Spirit and were struck dead for it. And Paul, in Romans 2:24, makes it clear that when professing believers live like the world they are guilty of inviting unbelievers to blaspheme the name of God.
Do you ever treat God’s name lightly? Do you speak of Christ while living in contradiction to His teaching? If so, you are standing against the One whose name You bear. This is no small matter, for every title, promise, attribute, and work of God is bound up in His name.
True reverence is not limited to our language.[1] It is found in our entire life—our thoughts, our worship, our relationships, and our obedience. Every word and deed reflects either reverence or reproach.
The Old Testament Law did not allow it, and neither should Christians under grace belittle His majesty or mock His glory with their conduct or speech. So if you belong to Christ, see that you obey and honor Him by hallowing His name.
Contemplations:
- The sin of ignorance. Lord, I read of the wickedness of men in Scripture, where they sacrificed their children to the idol Molech. Such people were said to defile Your sanctuary and to profane Your holy name. I can’t fathom the way men defiled Your sanctuary with such horrible sins as idolatry and the sacrificing of their own children! And yet today we are content to sacrifice our children and families on the altar of ignorance to Your Word!
- The serious consequences of blasphemy. When we blaspheme Your name, Lord, it shows contempt for Christ and His church and disregards Your holiness. You warn us that the consequence of such behavior is that You will “set Your face against that man, and against his family” (Lev. 20:3).
- What blasphemy reveals. To choose to blaspheme You is a terrible sin, Lord, one that will not go unpunished. For blasphemy is evidence that one is consumed with “self” rather than with Your holiness.
- Why I must seek holiness. You tell me to “sanctify yourself and be holy.” So if I do not strive for holiness and keep Your statutes, what can I expect but punishment? Christ said, “Why do You call me Lord, Lord and do not do the things which I say?” Help me strive for holiness by the power of Your Spirit in me, Lord.
Prayer (Adoration):
Almighty and Holy God, Your name is above all names, full of majesty, power, and glory. You are not like man. You are altogether holy, infinite, and worthy to be praised. Your Word says You will not hold guiltless those who profane Your name. Forgive me, Lord, for the times I have treated You lightly, for speaking Your name while harboring sin, or for allowing others to think less of You because of my conduct.
I know that to live as a Christian is to bear Your name before a watching world. Help me reflect Your holiness in speech, in attitude, and in action. Let no careless word fall from my lips and no dishonor arise from my life. Sanctify me daily, that I may hallow Your name in private and in public so the world can never say of me that Your name is blasphemed because of how I live.
Teach me the fear of the Lord, that I may walk humbly, live uprightly, and worship You with reverence and awe. Guard my heart from the sin of self-exaltation, and remind me always that I am a servant of the King of kings. Let Your name be honored in me, in my household, and in Your church such that You receive all glory, Lord, for You alone are worthy.
In Jesus’ name I pray.
Further Scripture References:
Leviticus 20:8; Exodus 19:6; Deuteronomy 27:9; Psalm 22:23
[1] “The third sign is the fear and honor of God, 1 Peter 1:17; Matt. 1:6. For true reverence follows upon an apprehension of great love and kindness mixed with great power.” William Ames, Conscience with the Power and Cases Thereof (Leyden and London: Imprinted W. Christiaens, E. Griffin, J. Dawson, 1639), 24.
