The Danger Of Dishonouring God's House

THE DANGER OF DISHONOURING GOD'S HOUSE

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Malachi 1:6-8

Supporting Texts: 1 Samuel 2:12-17, John 2:13-17, Ecclesiastes 5:1-2, Haggai 1:2-9, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

INTRODUCTION:

The house of God is not an ordinary place—it is a sacred space where God’s presence dwells, His name is honoured, and His people gather to worship. Throughout Scripture, God places high value on His sanctuary and commands reverence and honour toward it. Unfortunately, many in today’s generation have lost this sacred sense of honour. Irreverence, casualness, and even contempt are now common in God’s house.

To dishonour God’s house is to treat what is holy as ordinary. It includes neglecting, defiling, or treating the worship of God with contempt or irrelevance. The consequences are serious because it reflects the condition of the heart and results in divine displeasure and judgment.

This message is a wake-up call to restore reverence for God's sanctuary, His presence, and His order.

1. DISHONOURING GOD’S HOUSE IS DISHONOURING GOD HIMSELF

To treat the house of God lightly is to insult the God who dwells there.

a) God Sees Dishonour as Rejection of His Lordship (Malachi 1:6)

The priests dishonoured God by offering polluted sacrifices.

b) Irreverence in Worship Is an Offence to God (Ecclesiastes 5:1-2)

We must watch our steps and words when coming into His house.

c) God’s House Is Meant for Holiness, Not Hypocrisy (Isaiah 56:7)

When God's house becomes a place of pretense, He is not pleased.

d) Treating Sacred Things as Common Invites Judgment (Leviticus 10:1-2)

Nadab and Abihu offered strange fire and were struck down.

Biblical Example: The sons of Eli—Hophni and Phinehas despised the offerings and defiled the house of God, and it led to their death (1 Samuel 2:12-17, 1 Samuel 4:10-11).

2. JESUS DEFENDED THE SANCTITY OF GOD’S HOUSE

The Lord Himself showed righteous anger when the temple was desecrated.

a) The Temple Was Not a Marketplace (John 2:13-17)

Jesus drove out money changers, showing His zeal for purity.

b) Jesus Called It “My Father’s House” (Luke 2:49)

This shows divine ownership—it’s not just a building.

c) God Will Not Tolerate Abuse of Sacred Space (Matthew 21:12-13)

He rebuked those who turned worship into profit.

d) The Church Is a House of Prayer, Not Performance (Isaiah 56:7)

When prayer is replaced with programs, dishonour creeps in.

Biblical Example: Jesus cleansing the temple—He overturned tables and drove out the corrupt to restore the dignity of the sanctuary (John 2:15-16).

3. DISHONOUR BLOCKS BLESSINGS AND INVITES CURSES

When we disrespect God's house, we disconnect from His favour.

a) God Withdraws His Presence When Dishonoured (1 Samuel 4:21-22)

Ichabod—the glory departed because the sanctuary was defiled.

b) Neglecting God’s House Brings Personal Lack (Haggai 1:4-9)

People prioritised their homes over God’s, and faced drought.

c) Honour Brings Increase; Dishonour Brings Diminishment (Proverbs 3:9-10)

Honour God in His house, and He honours you in life.

d) God Judges Those Who Defile His Temple (1 Corinthians 3:17)

Destruction comes to those who carelessly abuse His house.

Biblical Example: King Uzziah—He entered the temple unlawfully and became leprous (2 Chronicles 26:16-21).

4. WAYS WE DISHONOUR GOD’S HOUSE TODAY

Modern dishonour is often subtle but serious.

a) Casualness in Worship and Dress (Hebrews 12:28-29)

Reverence and awe must define our attitude in God’s presence.

b) Talking and Distracting Others During Service (Ecclesiastes 5:1)

Every moment in God’s house must be approached with seriousness.

c) Lack of Giving and Support for God’s Work (Malachi 3:8-10)

Robbing God of tithes and offerings is dishonouring.

d) Neglecting God’s House While Building Ours (Haggai 1:4)

When we focus only on ourselves, we dishonour His priority.

Biblical Example: Ananias and Sapphira—They lied about their giving and dishonoured the early church, and it cost them their lives (Acts 5:1-10).

5. HOW TO RESTORE HONOUR TO GOD’S HOUSE

We must consciously rebuild our reverence and devotion.

a) Come Prepared to Worship with Reverence (Psalm 100:4)

Enter with thanksgiving, not carelessness.

b) Teach Children and New Believers Respect for God’s House (Deuteronomy 6:6-7)

Reverence is a discipline that must be taught early.

c) Serve and Give Faithfully to Support God’s Work (Exodus 35:21)

Those whose hearts were stirred gave willingly for the sanctuary.

d) Maintain Purity and Order in Worship Services (1 Corinthians 14:40)

Let all things be done decently and in order.

Biblical Example: Nehemiah—He restored temple order and corrected misuse of the house of God (Nehemiah 13:7-9).

CONCLUSION:

The house of God deserves our utmost reverence, honour, and care. It is not a social hall or entertainment arena, but a dwelling place of the Most High. Dishonouring God’s house not only grieves the Spirit but hinders our access to divine blessings. Let us return to reverence, prioritise God's house, and honour the One who inhabits it.

When we honour the sanctuary, we honour the sanctifier—and He, in turn, will honour us.