Blasphemy Much?

"Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme... 2Sa 12:14"

"...the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.  Romans 2:24"

When people in the church behave like the world, we bring about all sorts of problems. First of all, we hurt those for whom we should have the highest regard, our own brothers and sisters in Christ. Secondly, we do harm to ourselves since consequences tend to travel close on the heels of sin.  Worst of all, we cause the unregenerate world to blaspheme the name of God.    

Of course, Christians will continue to sin until the day they are released from this body of sin at death, (a major benefit of death if you ask me,) but it shouldn't characterize our lives the way it does the world.  We should hate our sin and long to be victorious over it by the power of God and his sanctifying Word.   May God make us aware of the things we think, say and do that dishonor Him.  May he grant us repentance for the praise of His Glory and Name.  

When a person in the church continues to repeat a pattern of sin, it may be indicating something about the actual condition of his or her heart; but, that is a different subject.  I may smell my next post brewing...