profanity

I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. (NIV) Psalm 86:12

From Genesis to Revelation we see that God has one central purpose for creation and for mankind. It all comes down to 1 issue – His glory! As Christians live like Christ, others see the character of God fleshed out before them. . . our visible lifestyle spotlights the invisible yet Almighty God. . .and that brings Him glory! In contrast, the Hebrew word that is translated “profane” basically means “to treat as common or ordinary.” We “profane” God’s name, when our lives reflect that our God is just “ordinary.” Today we either glorify or profane God’s Name by what we say and think and do.

• You profane God’s Name when you harbor anger or bitterness against someone. You glorify God’s Name when you forgive.
• You profane God’s Name when you steal the limelight when you use His gifts. You glorify God’s Name when you’re in His shadow and give Him the glory.
• You profane God’s Name when you are critical of others. You glorify God’s Name when you build others up.
• You profane God’s Name when you gossip or when you are quick to speak. You glorify God’s Name when you think before you speak.
• You profane God’s Name when you squander your time. You glorify God’s Name when you use your time wisely.
• You profane God’s Name when you are jealous of what others have. You glorify God’s Name when you are thankful for what God has given you.

Are you glorifying or profaning God’s Name?