“Popular” Profanity
Profanity is more than cussing or taking the name of God in vain.
Introduction
Profanity is all irreverence shown toward God the Father, God the Son, and God
the Holy Spirit.
It is treating holy things as common, whether by word or deed.
It has become commonplace in our world.
Sadly it is drifting and becoming commonplace by members of the church.
It is essentially an attitude of contempt or disregard for God or the things
of God and is well exemplified by those of Ezekiel's day of whom God says:
“Her priests have done violence to My law and have profaned My holy things;
they have made no distinction between the holy and the profane, and they have
not taught the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they hide their
eyes from My Sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.” (Ezekiel 22:26).
Profanity
Not only was this true of the priests,
But the prophets, princes and the people were guilty as well.
With the passing of nearly 2500 years, if this profane attitude is sometimes
expressed differently, it is no less prevalent,
for many are still putting no difference between the holy and profane, even
if unwittingly.
Profanity was popular in those days.
It does not take long to figure it is still popular.
And we are not just talking about bad language.
Anytime God is removed from first place, it is a form of profanity.
This includes some things we may be guilty of.
OMG
Used as an expression of WOW, or trying to be provocative in speech;
Yet it is very irreverent towards God.
I suppose that is why it is so common today.
It is taking God’s name in vain
Exodus 20:7 “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain,
for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain”.
Oh My God!
While the Psalmist used this phrase many times, it was not done in the same
way it is used today.
Even derivatives of the word are problematic.
“Oh, my gosh”, is just a euphemism that people try because they
do not want to be irreverent towards God, but trying to mimic what others in
the world are doing.
OMG
Texting OMG is popular.
And because it specifically does not mention God, more Christians feel comfortable
using it.
OMG is heard frequently on TV shows, and the characters that speak this usually
are not very godly in their behavior.
They certainly are not making an appeal to God looking for guidance or protection
as we see the psalmists use of the phrase.
The Profane
If God was profaned in the violation of the
commandment given through Moses, how much more in the violation of that law
given through the time of the covenant of God's Son?
It happens because people are not interested in keeping God’s commands.
Jeremiah 6:10: “To whom shall I speak and give warning, that they may
hear? Behold, their ears are closed, and they cannot listen. Behold, the word
of the LORD has become a reproach to them; they have no delight in it”.
It is obvious that the better covenant is not getting any different treatment
–
Even from those who know better.
Why?
Perhaps because many Christians do not take their sins as seriously as they
should.
Maybe we forget that God is profaned no worse than when His people deliberately
engage in sinful practices.
We may be getting a little insensitive to sin –
Especially our own.
To Profane Christ
Take, for instance, the many unfaithful who claim, "I know what I should
do", but never seem to get around to doing it.
If they do know what they should do, do they really understand what they are
doing?
Hebrews 6:6
Hebrews 10:26-31
James 4:17
Repentance is not possible until people see their own profanity towards God.
It is more than just offending the brethren or "sinning against the church"
as we sometimes put it –
it is, as someone has said tantamount to spitting in the face of God!
It is blasphemy; it is mockery; it is saying, in effect, "God, You are
not going to rule over me, I'll do as I please"!
Any person who places his own personal interests above God's will manifest this
profane attitude, as he and his brethren need to understand.
Jesus only states the positive side when He says: "If ye love Me, ye will
keep My commandments" (John 14:15).
Failure to keep His commandments expresses much more than most are willing to
admit.
Finally, God says the willful sinner is like "the dog turning to his own
vomit again, and the sow that had washed to wallowing in the mire"
(2 Peter 2:22).
When the unfaithful and their concerned brethren can see it like God sees it;
perhaps some can be saved from that "sorer punishment" -- and, hopefully,
such profanity will become less popular among the people of this day.
Conclusion
Profanity has become popular.
Profanity is more than just using bad language.
Some may never ever utter a curse or cuss word, but by their actions they profane
the Lord.
There are dire consequences for profaning God.
Do not be guilty of such.
By Carey Scott
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