Text;          II Timothy 3:2

By:              Charles Itseghosimhe

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INTRODUCTION

Since the start of this month, our theme has focused on how the challenging times of the last days impact our faith and behavior, as well as our Christian relationships and community life.

We can attest that these difficult times are very much present in our generation, gripping us and making our era fierce and tumultuous,

Paul said in these last days, men will be…blasphemers….2 Timothy 3:2. The Greek word used here is blasphemos —blasphemers or “revilers.”

BLASPHEMER

This word blaspheme means to speak against God or to express strong anger against God and with disrespect or insults.

A blasphemer is someone who speaks disrespectfully about God, deny and reject the reality of God’s power, deny and reject Jesus as God’s Son, and reject the authenticity of God’s words.

A reviler typically behaves in a harsh or abusive manner, often using insults, slander, or derogatory language to criticize or attack others. The aim is to assert superiority and often escalate conflicts rather than fostering understanding. This behavior may include:

• Verbal Attacks
• Mockery
• Condemnation
• Aggression

BLASPHEMY AND ITS IMPLICATIONS

Jesus addressed the topic of blasphemy in Matthew 12:31-32. “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.

Blasphemy or reviling is a sin that is committed over a period of time.

It is a sin that is committed as one hardens his or her heart to the Word of God and refuses to walk with the Lord.

His or her heart begins to grow cold and indifferent toward God and toward the Spirit. At this stage, he or she will resist the Spirit, do anything to grieve Him, and ensure He leaves him or her, that is, quench Him (Ref. Acts 7:51, Ephesians 4:30, 1 Thessalonians 5:19).

If he or she continues to say “no” to God and “yes” to the devil, he or she will drift so far away from Jesus and will become so bitter in his heart toward God that he or she will never want to do what will make God to forgive him or her. Once that becomes his or her condition and remains so till death, he or she will never be forgiven.

The state of blasphemers or revilers is one in which they establish a stronghold of evil addiction within themselves, while the devil also gains a foothold in their lives. These strongholds lead to a diminished desire for repentance, making it significantly harder for them to turn back to God.

Blasphemy or reviling is a sin that possesses the power to influence others to adopt and embrace it.

Paul acknowledged that he was before a blasphemer though he blasphemed in ignorance.

1 Timothy 1:12-13 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

He compelled the saints to blaspheme (Acts 26:11).

When those who do not believe God or have not given their lives to God look at us who are God’s children disobey, abuse and misuse the same WORD, dishonours God they will turn their interest away from God because of our sinful activities. They will in turn blaspheme God’s name because of us.

Romans 2:24 For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” as it is written.

In the first century the Gentiles would look at the Jew. The Jew had the Word of God in his hand and was teaching others, but he broke the law. Through the breaking of the law, he dishonoured God, and the Gentiles would see him living as a lawbreaker and blaspheme the name of God. The Gentiles turned away from God because of the activity of the religious man.

Paul’s warning was intended to help us recognize that if we start to adopt the lifestyle of a blasphemer or reviler; if we take up with these trends, it would destroy our faith and behaviour, our Christian relationships and our community life. It would certainly lead to problems that would call for church discipline (1 Corinthians 5:9–13; Titus 3:9–11, 1 Corinthians 15:33). 

SUMMARY 

The trend of blasphemy is real and is affecting many Christians. It is one of the consequences of the perilous times we are experiencing in the last days.

Some important questions to consider are:

• Are we aware that the trend of blasphemy or reviling has affected us?
• Have we recognized that we have adopted this behaviour?
• Are we causing others to blaspheme?
• Are we prepared to overcome this trend?

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