What is Blasphemy, Anyway?

The most common form of blasphemy is when people use the Name of God as a swear word. Blasphemy is so common in our culture that even small children are brought up to say, ‘Oh my G—’ or use the name of Jesus Christ, our Saviour, instead of a four-letter swear word.

As Christians, we should honour the Name of God. No Christian should ever be heard to blaspheme. Here’s what Scripture has to teach us:

• Firstly, the Bible teaches that blasphemy is an offence against God;
• ‘You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name’ (Ex 20:7). God calls us to be accountable for the words that we speak. He hears when we blaspheme His Name and He counts it as sin against us.
• ‘How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?’ (Heb 10:29). When we blaspheme against God, we scorn Him Who saved us. No wonder God counts this as a terrible offence .
• ‘Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, “Who is the Lord?” Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God’ (Pr 30:8-9). When we call ourselves Christians, but act in a way displeasing to God, we are also guilty of blasphemy. As God’s representatives on earth, people learn about God though our words and deeds. When we misrepresent Him, we are just as guilty of misusing His Name.

• Secondly, the Bible teaches that it is the unsaved and the enemies of God who blaspheme;
• ‘They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name’ (Ps 139:20). If you are able to use His Name in vain without remorse, then it’s likely that you’re not saved.
• ‘But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips’ (Col 3:8). We cannot be God’s people and yet swear and blaspheme – the two are inconsistent.

• Finally, the Bible teaches that like all other sins, God will forgive our blasphemy when we ask Him;
• ‘Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief’ (1 Ti 1:13). Repent of your blasphemy and strive to make every word that passes your lips honouring to God.

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