Does This Make You Cringe?

Col.1:16 - For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities —  all things have been created through Him and for Him.  NASU 
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• Blaspheming God 

Is it possible for humans to blaspheme God?
 
Well, that is a pretty easy question to answer. The answer would be yes. What exactly is "blasphemy"? The meaning signifies the speaking evil of God or to speak injuriously against Him.
 
In the Old Testament if an Israelite blasphemed the name of God that person was to be put to death. If that were done today the world's population would decrease dramatically.
 
I am sure we probably all know that by using God's name in vain that is one way for a person to blaspheme the name of God, but there are other ways. 

• Christian's Blaspheming God's Name 

I am interested in helping Christian's avoid blaspheming the name of God. One of the most common ways I have heard Christian's blaspheme the name of God is after a child has died.
 
I can't tell you how many times I have heard Christian's blaspheming God's name in the situation I previously mentioned.

The Christian doesn't know what to say so they say to the parent's of the deceased child "God most have needed another angel in heaven so He took your child".
 
Are you kidding me? This makes me cringe.
 
The scripture I used from Colossians says, "For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth…"
 
If God needs another angel in heaven He doesn't need to take a child from earth to fill His longing desire.
 
I don't believe you have really thought through your answer or you would never say that.
 
First, it makes God look like He is some type of Eternal Ogre. A very cruel and vindictive deity who sits in Heaven and decides He wants to really hurt some of His creation here on earth.
 
What better way to hurt the parents than "to take one of their children or in some cases take their only child".
 
Please if you are a Christian don't blaspheme God in this manner. Remember the definition of "blaspheming" is to speak injuriously against and that is exactly what you are doing by saying God took a person's child because He needed something in Heaven. 
 
Don't you believe those parents needed that child?
What are those parents going to think of God if they believe what you said about Him?
 
Second, what would be thought of a human who would steal a child from a family? Would you be able to convince them the kidnapper was a loving person and he needed that child more than the parents?
 
Do you know those parents are going to go through the rest of their life with a hurt that can't be healed? So why place a thought in their mind that God just takes children without any regard for the parents?
 
Frances Bledsoe told me 10 days after I did the funeral service for her son these words. She said, "Preacher I have buried my husband and I have now buried my son and I want you to know it is so much harder burying a child".
 
A few years later Ruth Baker told me the exact same thing.  

Let's not fall into the trap of blaspheming God by blaming Him for the death of a child. We also need to realize the parents don't need to hear some theological mumbo jumbo. They just need to know we care and many times the best way to show that is by saying nothing.

• What Am I Supposed To Say? 

Where does it say that you have to say something? In fact, the apostle Paul says just the opposite, in Romans 12:15 - "…and weep with those who weep."
 
I believe your tears will say everything the parents need to hear way more than any of your theological words or explanations.
 
I hope this Pump Up will keep you from blaspheming God and in so doing it will also keep you out of trouble with Him.
 
Think About These:
 
The Christian's talk and walk must go together.
 
The written word can be erased not so with the spoken word.
 
The word that is sufficient to the wise is usually enough for the rest of us too. 

Stay Pumped,
 
Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word