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Blasphemy: The Viciousness of the Tongue

Biblical Terms, Devotionals / By
Blasphemy, in a general sense, is the act of cursing, slandering, or insulting another person in a hateful way. In several states in the United States and in Britain, blasphemy is still a criminal offense, although it is rarely if ever prosecuted. More specifically, blasphemy is speaking sacrilegiously about God or sacred things, like taking the Lord’s name in vain. In the Old Testament, blaspheming God was a serious crime punishable by death (Leviticus 24:15-16). This is one of those sins that Christians must be careful not to commit because it shows contempt others and for God.

Blasphemy in the New Testament

There are three words in the Greek New Testament that all translate blasphemy. These words are often directed against God Himself. The Antichrist will commit the most outrageous acts of blasphemy against God. Revelation 13:6 tells us, He opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name. At other times the blasphemy can be directed at people. Paul and Silas were blasphemed as they tried to reason with the Jews out of the Scriptures. Acts 18:6,

But when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads!”

These Jews were cursing and insulting Paul and Silas in their disdain for the Gospel message.

Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit

Jesus spoke of a unique type of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit that was committed by the religious leaders of His day who were eyewitnesses to Jesus’ miracles. Mark 3:28-30,
28 “Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; 29 but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation”– 30 because they said, “He has an unclean spirit.”
Some people think they have done this and are terrified. But this is not referring to taking the Lord’s name in vain, or murder, or unbelief, or criticizing “Christian Ministries.” Rather it is referring to only those religious leaders who saw Jesus perform astonishing miracles but with full conscious minds looked at those miracles and concluded that they were performed by the powers of darkness. Those religious leaders had the special privilege of being alive and witnessing the awesome miracles of Jesus, but they rejected them and attributed them to a demon spirit. That was the unpardonable sin and those who did this will spend eternity in hell.

Instructions for the Believer

Blaspheme has no part in the Christian’s life. Titus 3:2 warns, to malign no one, this word “malign” is the same Greek word for blasphemy. Those who malign and curse others or take the Lord’s name in vain are acting as nonbelievers. This sin is grounds for excommunication from the church (1 Timothy 1:20). You find this sin in two of the lists of sins in the New Testament (Mark 7:21-22; 2 Timothy 3:2). In contrast to this, Ephesians 4:29 tells us about the tone of our speech,

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

Scripture Reference

15 “You shall speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘If anyone curses his God, then he will bear his sin. 16 ‘Moreover, the one who blasphemes the name of the Lord shall surely be put to death; all the congregation shall certainly stone him. The alien as well as the native, when he blasphemes the Name, shall be put to death.
And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven.
But when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
28 “Truly I say to you, all sins shall be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter; 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”— 30 because they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”
to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.
Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme.
21 “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, 22 deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness.
For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.
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