What’s the Opposite of Holy?
If you said “unholy” bzzzzz! Wrong Answer! One of my mentors, Craig Hill (http://www.familyfoundations.com/) has taught us that the opposite of “holy” is nothing less than “Common.” But God told Ezekiel that the priests must teach the people the difference between the holy and the common:They are to teach my people the difference between the holy and the common and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean. Ezekiel 44:23 NIV
I suppose you and most people know that the literal meaning of “holy” is separated, set apart, dedicated, committed, etc. All these words are followed by a “to” or “unto”. We are “separated to” something, “dedicated to” something, “committed to” something. That “something” will really identify who we are. Craig uses a couple of illustrations:
- Some churches have a specially marked pew seat for the pianist so that she or he can sit close to the piano or organ. That seat is “holy” unto the pianist. If anyone else uses that seat it becomes “common” because that person has usurped the “holiness” of the one who should be sitting there - the pianist.
- A husband is “holy” unto his wife, and a wife is “holy” unto her husband. If adultery occurs there is an “unholy” alliance with another. But the plan of God is for there to be a “holy” alliance, or covenant between spouses. The husband is wholly (homonym intended!) dedicated to his wife and vice versa. The “common” or unholy thing is for an adulterous affair to destroy that marriage.
God commands us to “Be Holy just as I am Holy.” I was thinking about that one day. Usually we think of “holiness” as purity of thought and actions. I sometimes think of a “holy” man sitting in a monastery praying all day and not speaking to anyone else. Or you hear of so called “holy” men in India or the middle East who spout words of wisdom, and are very skinny. So what is the true God of the universe talking about here? If “Holy” means separated to, who is God “separated to”? As I thought about this, I came to the conclusion based upon my knowledge of the Word of God, that God is Holy unto me! Unto you, unto every lost soul.
So when or if we are “holy” what are we supposed to be “holy” unto? God, of course! If God is holy unto us then when we are holy unto God we will think twice before entering into any type of sinful activity. When we do we have just become common.
There is so much more on this topic, which I plan to write about in a future blog.
May God bless you and have a great day.
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