To be sacrilegious means to violate or misuse what is sacred. In a biblical context, it refers to treating holy things, such as God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Bible, worship practices, etc., with irreverence or contempt. Some key things the Bible teaches about sacrilege include:
Sacrilege is an offense against God
The Bible makes clear that God is holy and sacred. He is set apart from all of creation. To be sacrilegious is to dishonor or defile what is holy to God (Leviticus 10:1-3). It is showing disrespect to God Himself.
Examples of sacrilege
The Bible contains many examples of sacrilege committed against God:
- Worshiping false gods or idols (Exodus 32:1-35)
- Offering improper sacrifices (Malachi 1:6-14)
- Misusing or defiling the temple or tabernacle (Ezekiel 8)
- Treating the Sabbath as ordinary (Ezekiel 20:12-24)
- Misusing God’s name (Exodus 20:7)
- Showing contempt for sacred vows (Numbers 30:2)
- Engaging in occult practices (Deuteronomy 18:9-13)
- Deliberately leading others away from God (Matthew 18:6-7)
In the New Testament, Jesus accused the religious leaders of sacrilege through their hypocrisy and misplaced priorities (Matthew 23:13-36). They were honoring God with their lips, but their hearts were far from Him.
Why sacrilege is so offensive to God
Sacrilege is offensive because it:
- Puts created things before the Creator (Romans 1:22-25)
- Treats what is holy as common or ordinary (Hebrews 10:29)
- Expresses hatred, contempt, or irreverence toward God (Leviticus 22:31-33)
- Attempts to usurp God’s authority (Daniel 5:22-23)
- Displays an attitude of ingratitude (Luke 17:11-19)
In essence, sacrilege flows out of hearts and lives that have no room for God. It marginalizes God and exalts self. Sacrilege attempts to tear down what God has declared sacred.
The Bible warns strongly against sacrilege
Scripture makes clear that sacrilege has serious consequences:
- It invites God’s judgment and wrath (Jeremiah 7:9-15)
- It results in calamity, even death (Leviticus 10:1-3, Acts 5:1-11)
- It causes one to be “cut off” from God’s people (Exodus 31:14-15)
- It defiles and corrupts nations (Ezekiel 43:7-9)
God cares deeply about the honor and glory due His name. Sacrilege that diminishes or defiles His holy name will not go unpunished. The prophets frequently warned Israel of coming judgment because of their sacrilegious idolatry and irreverence (Jeremiah 16:10-13, Ezekiel 22).
Examples of sacrilege today
While some examples may be clear, other forms of sacrilege today can be more subtle:
- Deliberately deceiving or misleading others about God and His Word
- Greedily misusing or exploiting ministry funds (2 Peter 2:1-3)
- Carelessly misquoting or misrepresenting Scripture
- Flippantly misusing God’s name (“Omg”)
- Treating communion in an irreverent manner (1 Corinthians 11:27-29)
- Turning vibrant worship into empty ritual (Isaiah 29:13)
- Mixing false/cultic teaching with biblical truth (2 Corinthians 11:3-4, 13-15)
Any attitude or behavior that detracts from the glory, majesty, and honor of God could potentially be considered sacrilege. Christians must carefully examine their hearts and lives to avoid subtle irreverence.
Sacrilege stems from a heart disconnected from God
At its root, sacrilege flows out of a heart that is indifferent or hostile toward God. Scripture ties sacrilege to deeper spiritual issues like pride, ingratitude, hatred, idolatry, hypocrisy, and disbelief (Colossians 3:5-6, Luke 12:1).
Though God’s discipline for sacrilege may be severe, Scripture offers hope for reconciliation through repentance and restored fellowship with God (Jeremiah 15:19-21). As believers, we can avoid sacrilege by pursuing wholehearted love for God (Deuteronomy 6:4-6, Matthew 22:36-40). Loving Him transforms how we view and treat what He declares sacred.
Jesus condemned sacrilege among religious leaders
Though the religious leaders in Jesus’ day appeared devout, He confronted their subtle sacrilege:
- Matthew 15:1-9 – Traditions nullified God’s Word
- Matthew 23:16-22 – Misplaced priorities
- Luke 11:37-44 – Outward ritual without inward cleansing
- Luke 16:14-15 – Lovers of money rather than God
Despite their spiritual prestige, they were blinded to their own irreverence. We must guard our hearts against such pharisaical sacrilege.
Signs of a sacrilegious spirit today
Subtle attitudes and behaviors that may reflect a sacrilegious spirit:
- Apathy and boredom toward God and spiritual things
- Getting offended when Scripture confronts pet sins
- Cynicism toward godly counsel and accountability
- Disregard for sound doctrine and biblical truth
- Flippant jokes about hell or Satan
- More zeal for sports, politics, hobbies than for God’s glory
If not repented of, such sacrilege can deaden our hearts toward God and set us on the path toward His judgment.
Guarding against sacrilege in our lives
Scripture offers guidance for avoiding sacrilege:
- Pursue wholehearted love for God (Deuteronomy 6:5)
- Give God first priority in all things (Matthew 6:33)
- Treat God’s Word with utmost seriousness (Psalm 119:161)
- Worship in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24)
- Maintain a heart of gratitude toward God (Psalm 103:1-5)
- Flee from idolatry in any form (1 Corinthians 10:14)
- Walk in holiness out of reverence for God (Leviticus 19:30, Hebrews 12:28-29)
As believers, we must continually ask God to search our hearts and keep us from subtle irreverence that dishonors Him and His name (Psalm 139:23-24).
Dealing with sacrilege in the church
When sacrilege infiltrates the church, God takes it very seriously. Leaders are called to decisively address it through:
- Confronting the offense lovingly yet firmly (1 Timothy 5:20)
- Calling for repentance and restoration (2 Corinthians 7:8-10)
- Protecting the honor and reputation of Christ (Romans 2:24)
- Disciplining unrepentant offenders (1 Corinthians 5:1-5)
- Purging false teachers who lead astray (Romans 16:17-18)
- Embracing spiritual revival and reformation (Hebrews 12:10, 12-13)
The church must strive to be a “house of prayer” not a “den of robbers” (Matthew 21:12-13). Honoring what God declares holy protects the church’s witness and testimony to the world.
Conclusion
Sacrilege treats what is sacred with contempt and irreverence. It stems from hearts devoid of true love and awe for God. Believers must carefully watch for subtle attitudes and actions that may reflect an underlying sacrilegious spirit. Seeking God earnestly, prioritizing His glory, obeying His Word – these guardrails help us honor what He declares holy. By His grace, the Holy Spirit enables us to love and revere God in spirit and in truth.