Honour God's Name
I show my loyalty to God in the way I speak about God. The attitude with which I speak about God and the life he has for me speaks volumes about how I feel about him.
What does the Bible say about honouring God's name? -
- Lift God's name - Psalms 20
- Effect of words - Revelation 2v13
- Honour through life - 2 Thessalonians 1v11-12
- Don't misuse name - Exodus 20v7
Lift God's name
Psalms 20
In times of trouble, may the LORD answer your cry. May the name of the God of Jacob keep you safe from all harm. May he send you help from his sanctuary and strengthen you from Jerusalem. May he remember all your gifts and look favorably on your burnt offerings.
Interlude
May he grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed. May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory and raise a victory banner in the name of our God. May the LORD answer all your prayers. Now I know that the LORD rescues his anointed king. He will answer him from his holy heaven and rescue him by his great power. Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the LORD our God. Those nations will fall down and collapse, but we will rise up and stand firm. Give victory to our king, O LORD! Answer our cry for help.
Questions for reflection or discussion
- How does the writer honour the Lord’s name?
- What does the name of the Lord do?
Thoughts to consider
A name is more than a label it is tied to our identity. This is especially true of God, whose name Yahweh roughly means, I am who I am and of Jesus whose name means Salvation.
Effect of words
Revelation 2:13
“I know that you live in the city where Satan has his throne, yet you have remained loyal to me. You refused to deny me even when Antipas, my faithful witness, was martyred among you there in Satan’s city.”
Questions for reflection or discussion
- How does the Lord value loyalty to him?
- How is that loyalty expressed through trial?
Thoughts to consider
Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.” He values highly those who are willing to take a stand for him and his name in love.
Honour through life
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Questions for reflection or discussion
- How does your lifestyle honour God and his name?
- Why is grace needed to accomplish the things God prompts us to do through faith?
Thoughts to consider
It is God by his Spirit and grace that gives us the ability to live the life he has for us. If we live that life, we will bring honour to his name.
Don't misuse name
Exodus 20:7
“You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.”
Questions for reflection or discussion
- What would it mean to misuse the name of the Lord?
- How would misusing the name of the Lord be disloyal to the Lord?
Thoughts to consider
If I persuade someone to do something in the name of the Lord, or if I claim that I am acting in the name of the Lord, while it is actually just my will and desire. Then I am doing damage to the Lord in the lives of those who are persuaded to act or permit me to act through my deceitfulness.
Overview question for reflection or discussion
- Why do you think it is good to honour the name of the Lord?
- What does it mean for you to honour his name?
Thoughts to consider
The name of Jesus is significant to mind, heart, soul and spirit. We love the Lord our God with all our heart and mind and soul and spirit. In my mind I am intrigued and challenged by the meaning of his name. In my heart I am warmed by his name, for he has entered my troubles with peace so often, …
