The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good. Psalm 14:1

The scene was the 18th hole of this year's British Open. The player addressing the ball was Tiger Woods.

In typical Tiger-style, concentration on the stroke before him was intense. It was intense until a few hundred camera shutters let loose in an attempt to record the moment. Tiger's mental focus was broken and in anger he turned upon the photographers and blurted out the Savior's Holy Name.

Understand, Jesus' Name was not used in a moment of prayer during which Tiger asked the Lord to help him forgive those photographers because they knew not what they were doing. Nope, Tiger Woods, one of the world's most well-known Buddhists, used Jesus' Name as a bit of verbal punctuation to emphasize the depth of his frustration.

Still, as bad as that moment was (and it was bad), it cannot compare with the new Internet sacrilege which is called "The Blasphemy Challenge." Wishing to further atheism in a vain attempt to expose the "crock that is Christian doctrine," the site references Mark 3:29 and encourages people to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit.

It is difficult for me to think of anything more offensive to Christians. It is impossible to find a human expression in Scripture that is more offensive to the Lord.

Amazing! Unbelievers are taking a stand against Someone they say doesn't exist.

We probably shouldn't be surprised. Thousands of years ago King David knew of people who had convinced themselves there was no God. By inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the monarch surveyed the situation and commented that they are corrupt, their acts are abominable, and none of them does any good.

Misusing the Name of the Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier is a terribly tragic and damning thing for an unbeliever to do. Although he may think his words are showing a brilliant spirit of self-assuredness, in actuality he is showing the same sad and sorry, sinful rebellion that has condemned millions before him.

In contrast, we who know there is a God, who have been saved by the Redeemer's perfect life, substituting death, and glorious resurrection from the dead, ought to have a different tone to our use of the Lord's Name.

When we mention Jesus' Name, it ought to be done with the utmost respect and most sincere thanks. After all, by God's grace, we have been given a faith that knows Jesus is the only Name under heaven, given among men, by which we can be saved.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, may my tongue always bless You for all You have done to save me. If it is possible, may the lost souls who reject You be allowed to see their sin and be brought to repentance and faith. This I ask in Jesus' Name. Amen.

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In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Isaiah 17-19    Ephesians 4

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