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blasphemy As far as I’m concerned the word “blasphemy” is a very ugly word. As we read this word in the Bible it is always used in an ugly way. It is always in the noun form. Here is Webster’s definition of blasphemy: “An indignity offered to God by words or writing; reproachful, contemptuous or irreverent words uttered impiously against Jehovah. Blasphemy is an injury offered to God, by denying that which is due and belonging to him, or attributing to him that which is not agreeable to his nature. In the middle ages, blasphemy was used to denote simply the blaming or condemning of a person or thing. Among the Greeks, to blaspheme was to use words of ill omen, which they were careful to avoid.” Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was often falsely accused of “blasphemy”. Let’s look at this false accusation: (Luke 22:64-65) "And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee? {65} And many other things blasphemously spake they against him." This of course was just before Christ was crucified. Jesus was being held by the servants of the High Priest. These were very rude and disrespectable men. They blindfolded Jesus and thought that this would make Him unable to identify them. If Jesus was able to know what was in the hearts of men the blindfold they put over His eyes would certainly not prevent Him from knowing who it was that hit Him. Although no one likes to be struck in the face I doubt that it hurt Jesus nearly as much as the words they spoke. Jesus had done nothing wrong, He had never sinned, neither had He ever been guilty of speaking guile: (1 Pet 2:22) "Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:" When you have done no wrong it certainly hurts to be accused of being evil and a sinner. Jesus always sought to do His Father’s will: (Luke 22:42) "Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." Even at this terrible time in the life of Christ here on this earth He still sought to do His Father’s will. Therefore, I believe that the “blasphemous” words spoken to Jesus hurt Jesus Him far more that being struck in the face. In the New Testament we also read of others who were accused of being blasphemous. A man by the name of Stephen was also accused of blasphemy. In Acts chapter six, verse eight we read of what kind of man Stephen was: (Acts 6:8) "And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people." Stephen was full of faith [which in itself says a lot about him] but God had also given him the power to perform “wonders and miracles.” Stephen was doing nothing wrong, but some came and accused him of being blasphemous: (Acts 6:11) "Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God." Just as they had lied about Jesus so did they lie about Stephen. Verse thirteen informs us that they lied when it states they “set up false witnesses: (Acts 6:13) "And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:" Probably the only truth that they spoke was the fact that Stephen did not cease to speak, but what he spoke was the truth and not blasphemous words. According to God’s Word you don’t have to speak evil against God to be guilty of “blasphemy”; hypocrites are also classified as being blasphemous: (Rev 2:9) "I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan." Some were claiming to be Jews but in reality they were of Satan and such were said to be blaspheming. Would not the same be true of those who claim to be Christians but in reality are the servants of Satan? You cannot be two faced without being blasphemous! We should remember that this text is taken from the second epistle written to a church in Asia; therefore it was written to Christians and should be considered as written to those who profess to be Christians today. Let us always be careful of what we do and the words we speak!
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