Every now and then I come across a statement that shakes me to my core and really puts things into perspective for me.
It happened just today when I read a quote from a man named Leonard Ravenhill, who was a British Christian evangelist. His ministry was focused on the revival of God’s church, as spoken of in his most notable book, “Why Revival Tarries.”
Over his lifetime, Ravenhill made many converts to Christianity during his tent revivals and evangelistic meetings and mentored such men as David Wilkerson and Paul Stanley. Both of those men would go on to be great men of God and make great contributions to the Lord’s kingdom through their work.
But, in a simple statement, it was quite possible for Leonard Ravenhill to garner the attention of people, and change the outlook of their life, and how they live it.
He said, “Isn’t it amazing that God gives breath to a man who is going to blaspheme Him all day!”
Ouch. That one should cut many right to the heart.
If it doesn’t, then maybe it’s time to refresh yourself with the meaning of blaspheme. “To speak irreverently (not showing the expected respect) about God or sacred things.”
We live in a world where it takes little more than a handful of people to start a trend. Whether it be a saying, a behavior, or action.
Given the right platform, whether righteous or not, people will follow like sheep, and before you know it, whatever has been spread becomes an acceptable thing.
Slang words, jokes, video clips, the list goes on and on.
Sinfully Hilarious God Jokes websites, Irreverent Movie section listings, and just the fact that what used to be restricted on televised programs, should show us the direction that the world is going.
Things that were once deemed appropriate for adults only are now acceptable for young children to view and hear.
There is very little that still shows reverence to God, and Oh how sad that is, that “God gives breath to a man who is going to blaspheme Him all day!”
We should all be very aware of what God says about blasphemy. It is a serious offence that breaks the heart of God and is the only unforgiveable sin when spoken against the Holy Spirit. (Luke 12:10)
Yet in this world, it rolls off the tongue and out of the heart of many so effortlessly. “From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” (James 3:10)
However, just telling someone that they should hold God in complete reverence in the way that they talk, and the things that they do, really does not cause a change.
There has to be a conviction within a person, brought about by the Holy Spirit, that causes a change, and “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins” and will “cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
That is when we can honestly say that God gives breath to a man who is going to praise him all day!
May we all strive to be that Christian who puts away “anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk” from our mouth (Colossians 3:8) and choses instead to thank, praise, honor and glorify the one who loved us enough to die for us so that we may have eternal life.
Dawn Hayes is mother of four, grandmother to three and she and her husband pastor at New Hope Assembly of God in Senatobia. She has been writing “Sips from the Well” since 2015.
