A complete absence of the proper sense of awe, respect and wonder that is inspired and demanded by the character and activity of the living God. Irreverence involves disrespect for the character, deeds, words, law and ministers of God. As such, it brings judgment upon those who behave in this way.
Irreverence as the root of sin
Romans 3:10, Romans 3:18 See also Psalm 36:1, Psalm 10:4–5, Psalm 55:19; Romans 1:21
As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one.
“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
Rebellion leads to irreverence
Jeremiah 5:23–24 See also Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 15:3–9
But these people have stubborn and rebellious hearts. They have turned aside and gone away. They have not said in their hearts, ‘Let us fear the LORD our God, who gives the rains, both autumn and spring, in season, who keeps for us the appointed weeks of harvest.’
Causes of irreverence
Arrogance
Psalm 10:4–5 See also Deuteronomy 17:19–20
In his pride the wicked man does not seek Him; in all his schemes there is no God. He is secure in his ways at all times; Your lofty judgments are far from him; he sneers at all his foes.
Self-deception
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD. An oracle is in my heart regarding the transgression of the wicked man: There is no fear of God before his eyes. For his eyes are too full of conceit to detect or hate his own sin.
Prosperity
Proverbs 30:9 See also Psalm 10:4–5
Otherwise, I may have too much and deny You, saying, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, profaning the name of my God.
Kinds of irreverence
Insulting God
Psalm 69:9 See also Psalm 74:22–23; Hebrews 10:29
because zeal for Your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult You have fallen on me.
Misusing God's name
Exodus 20:7 See also Leviticus 19:12, Leviticus 24:10–16
You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave anyone unpunished who takes His name in vain.
Insulting God's representatives
1 Kings 21:10–13 See also Deuteronomy 17:12; Acts 6:11
But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify, ‘You have cursed both God and the king!’ Then take him out and stone him to death.” So the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city did as Jezebel had instructed in the letters she had written to them. They proclaimed a fast and gave Naboth a seat of honor among the people. And the two scoundrels came in and sat opposite Naboth, and these men testified against him before the people, saying, “Naboth has cursed both God and the king!” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death.
Ignoring God's law
Numbers 15:30 See also Isaiah 63:17; Jeremiah 44:10; Amos 2:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:20
But the person who sins defiantly, whether a native or foreigner, blasphemes the LORD. That person shall be cut off from among his people.
Worshipping idols
Ezekiel 20:39 See also Leviticus 18:21, Leviticus 20:1–3
And as for you, O house of Israel, this is what the Lord GOD says: Go and serve your idols, every one of you. But afterward, you will surely listen to Me, and you will no longer defile My holy name with your gifts and idols.
Sacrificial worship
Leviticus 22:2 See also Leviticus 21:6; 1 Samuel 2:17; Malachi 1:6–8
“Tell Aaron and his sons to treat with respect the sacred offerings that the Israelites have consecrated to Me, so that they do not profane My holy name. I am the LORD.
Towards holy objects and places
2 Samuel 6:6–7 See also Psalm 74:7–8, Psalm 79:1; Jeremiah 7:30
When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen had stumbled. And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down on the spot for his irreverence, and he died there beside the ark of God.
Attacking God's people
Psalm 22:7–8 See also 2 Kings 19:9–12, 2 Kings 19:16; Psalm 31:18, Psalm 35:15–16, Psalm 74:10, Psalm 74:18, Psalm 89:50–51; Ezekiel 35:12; Daniel 7:8, Daniel 7:21–22; Zephaniah 2:10–11EZK Zephaniah 36:20–23; Romans 2:24
All who see me mock me; they sneer and shake their heads: “He trusts in the LORD, let the LORD deliver him; let the LORD rescue him, since He delights in him.”
Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit
Matthew 12:31–32 parallels Mark 3:29, Luke 12:10 Jesus Christ's opponents were beyond hope, so long as they continued to say that the work of the Holy Spirit was the work of Satan (Matthew 12:24) See also 1 Corinthians 12:3JHN 1 Corinthians 10:33; Matthew 26:63–65 parallel Mark 14:63–64
Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the one to come.
Social consequences of irreverence
In family relationships
Matthew 15:4 See also Exodus 21:17 parallel Leviticus 20:9; Proverbs 20:20, Proverbs 30:11
For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’
Oppression and cruelty
Psalm 10:9–11 See also Psalm 73:2–11, Psalm 94:4–7; Proverbs 8:13
He lies in wait like a lion in a thicket; he lurks to seize the oppressed; he catches the lowly in his net. They are crushed and beaten down; the helpless fall prey to his strength. He says to himself, “God has forgotten; He hides His face and never sees.”
Social irresponsibility
Proverbs 17:5 See also Proverbs 14:31; Jeremiah 34:16; Ezekiel 22:11–12; Luke 18:2; Romans 1:28–32; 1 Corinthians 11:20–22
He who mocks the poor insults their Maker; whoever gloats over calamity will not go unpunished.
Irreverence brings condemnation and judgment
Deuteronomy 17:12–13; Psalm 55:19 See also Numbers 14:23; 2 Chronicles 26:5, 2 Chronicles 26:16, 2 Chronicles 36:15–16; Proverbs 1:29–31, Proverbs 3:34, Proverbs 28:14; Hosea 10:3, Hosea 12:14; Hebrews 10:29; Jude 1:15
But the man who acts presumptuously, refusing to listen either to the priest who stands there to serve the LORD your God, or to the judge, must be put to death. You must purge the evil from Israel. Then all the people will hear and be afraid, and will no longer behave arrogantly.
God will hear and humiliate them — the One enthroned for the ages — Selah because they do not change and they have no fear of God.
Particular warnings about the consequences of irreverence
1 Samuel 12:14–15 See also Deuteronomy 28:58–59; Malachi 2:1–2
If you fear the LORD and serve Him and obey His voice, and if you do not rebel against the command of the LORD, and if both you and the king who rules over you follow the LORD your God, then all will be well. But if you disobey the LORD and rebel against His command, then the hand of the LORD will be against you as it was against your fathers.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.