We do not often hear the word "profane" these days. Its full meaning has disappeared from common conversation, and it is now used almost exclusively with regard to language—as in "profanity." But obscene or vulgar speech—as common as it is—is only a fraction of what is contemplated by "profane."

The word came into English through French from the Latin profanus, and its root is quite revealing. It consists of pro- ("before," implying "against" or "away from") and fanum ("temple"). Something profane, then, is literally "against the temple" or even "far from the temple." Biblically, "temple" refers not just to a physical building but embodies all that takes place there—specifically, the true worship of the true God. Thus, not only can foul words and phrases be "far from the temple"—far from the true worship of God—but also people, behaviors, and even instruments of worship can be profane.

"Profane" may not be a prevalent word in the Bible, but it contains exceptional gravity wherever it is used. When God warns against profaning something of His (for example, His name, His Sabbaths, His sanctuary, His altar, His ordinances, etc.), He uses forceful and firm statements to convey His seriousness. Why is God so concerned that His people be vigilantly careful with what He designates as clean and unclean, holy and unholy, or appropriate and profane? Because these designations define His nature, character, and way of life.

Just as a parent teaches a child what is good and what is not—so the child will grow up mirroring the parent's values—so God instructs His children in what is proper and what is not. Without this divine designation and the accompanying warnings, we would be left to our own devices and would certainly not mirror the values of our Father (see Proverbs 29:15). To be unconcerned with what God defines as acceptable is to be unconcerned with God Himself.

How serious is God? He establishes the death sentence for profaning the Sabbath by working on it (Exodus 31:14). He killed Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, for offering profane fire—fire that had its source in human effort rather than divine causation (Leviticus 10:1-2). He proclaims punishment and disaster on profane prophets and priests (Jeremiah 23:11-12, 15-17). Because of profaning God's Sabbaths, the Israelites received God's fury and judgment, resulting in scattering among the Gentiles (Ezekiel 20:15-24; 22:6-16). Even after being scattered, they continued to profane His name—something that continues today (Ezekiel 36:16-38; 39:7-8). Clearly, the issue of what is "far from the temple" is not a minor one to God.

Ezekiel 44:23-24 foretells a time when God's priests—teachers, leaders—"shall teach My people [Israel] the difference between the holy and the unholy, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean. . . . They shall keep My laws and My statutes in all My appointed meetings, and they shall hallow My Sabbaths." But this time is yet future. Right now, we are in a time more accurately described in Ezekiel 22:26:

Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.

These things can be clearly seen in the common Western rejection of the Sabbath in favor of Sunday worship; in the syncretism—mixing of holy and profane—of Christmas and Easter; and in the scoffing at the designations of clean and unclean—acceptable and profane—food. In the Israelitish nations, hardly any thought is given to living a holy life, even though our Savior commands, "Be holy, for I am holy" (Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2; 20:7; see I Peter 1:15-16). The author of Hebrews exhorts us, "Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14).

The church of God has an even greater responsibility to distinguish between the clean and the unclean—the holy and the profane—than the physical peoples of Israel. Much is required of him to whom much is given (see Luke 12:48). We are called to be lights to the world and witnesses of God and Jesus Christ. Our attention to upholding God's designation of holiness—while shunning the profane—directly influences how much we resemble God. And the degree to which we resemble God will determine our success in being true and faithful witnesses of Him.

In Haggai 2:10-14, God explains that when a people are defiled—unclean, profane—all the works of their hands and their worship of Him are likewise unclean. This is given in the context of the building of the Temple under Zerubbabel and Joshua:

On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying, "Thus says the LORD of hosts: 'Now, ask the priests concerning the law, saying, "If one carries holy meat in the fold of his garment, and with the edge he touches bread or stew, wine or oil, or any food, will it become holy?"'" Then the priests answered and said, "No." And Haggai said, "If one who is unclean because of a dead body touches any of these, will it be unclean?" So the priests answered and said, "It shall be unclean." Then Haggai answered and said, "'So is this people, and so is this nation before Me,' says the LORD, 'and so is every work of their hands; and what they offer there is unclean.'"

God teaches us that holiness is not transferable—but uncleanness is. Having a holy human leader or a holy spouse, friend, or neighbor will not make us holy. However, our contact with the profane will contaminate us, and the work of our hands will become unfit for His service.

God requires those whom He has called into His service to be holy because He is holy and to distinguish between the holy and unholy, the clean and the unclean, for by so doing, we will come to know Him.