Question 100. Is then the profaning of God’s name, by swearing and cursing, so heinous a sin, that His wrath is kindled against those who do not endeavour, as much as in them lies, to prevent and forbid such cursing and swearing?
Answer: It undoubtedly is (a), for there is no sin greater or more provoking to God, than the profaning of his name; and therefore he has commanded this sin to be punished with death (b).
(a) Proverbs 29:24: The partner of a thief hates his own life; he hears the curse, but discloses nothing.
Leviticus 5:1: “If anyone sins in that he hears a public adjuration to testify, and though he is a witness, whether he has seen or come to know the matter, yet does not speak, he shall bear his iniquity;
(b) Leviticus 24:15-16: And speak to the people of Israel, saying, Whoever curses his God shall bear his sin. Whoever blasphemes the name of the LORD shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall stone him. The sojourner as well as the native, when he blasphemes the Name, shall be put to death.
For your personal reflection:
When Jacqui and I married she “took” my name. It was reflective of our vows and covenant. When we “take” God’s Name we are becoming Christians, we are entering a covenant with Him. Perhaps some have taken His Name in form, but not in reality – they (we) say the right thing but we do not mean it. It is too easy to restrict this commandment to simply the words that emanate from the mouths of Christians. The mouth only speaks of what resides in the heart.
What does it mean to take God’s Name?
How do we profane God’s Name?
Why is this such a “big deal?”
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