God is Holy

Old Testament Examples

Strange Incense.

LEVITICUS 10:1 Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took their respective firepans, and after putting fire in them, placed incense on it and offered strange fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. 2 And fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. 3 Then Moses said to Aaron, “It is what the Lord spoke, saying, ‘By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy, And before all the people I will be honored.’ ” So Aaron, therefore, kept silent.

This is the sobering account of Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron. This passage highlights the holiness of God and the seriousness of approaching Him according to His instructions. Every detail of the tabernacle, including its furniture and the altar of incense, was prescribed by God, showing how He is to be approached in worship. Even the making and offering of incense had specific instructions, because God’s holiness demands reverence, precision, and obedience. This account reminds us that approaching God carelessly or presumptuously is dangerous, and it teaches the vital importance of respecting His holiness in all acts of worship.

EXODUS 30:9 You shall not offer any strange incense on this altar, or burnt offering or meal offering; and you shall not pour out a drink offering on it. 10 … It is most holy to the Lord.”

God made it very clear to Aaron and the priests that they were not to act on their own initiative or offer anything outside of His specific instructions. This shows that God’s holiness requires precise obedience and reverence.

The Ark of the Covenant.

2 SAMUEL 6:3 They placed the ark of God on a new cart that they might bring it from the house of Abinadab which was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were leading the new cart... 5 Meanwhile, David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the Lord with all kinds of instruments made of fir wood, and with lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets and cymbals. 6 But when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out toward the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen nearly upset it. 7 And the anger of the Lord burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down there for his irreverence; and he died there by the ark of God. 8 David became angry because of the Lord’s outburst against Uzzah, and that place is called Perez-uzzah to this day.

The ark of the covenant symbolizes the very presence of God. As the Israelites brought the ark to Jerusalem, Uzzah reached out to steady it when the oxen stumbled. His action was sincere and well-intentioned—he was trying to prevent the ark from falling—but God struck him down for irreverence. This account highlights that approaching God requires more than good intentions; it requires obedience to His instructions and reverence for His holiness. David, initially angry and confused by God’s judgment, had to reflect and study God’s Word to understand the seriousness of Uzzah’s mistake. The lesson is clear: God’s presence is holy, and even sincere actions can be offensive if they disregard His commands. Reverence, obedience, and respect for God’s holiness are not optional—they are essential when approaching Him.

1 CHRONCLES 15:2 Then David said, “No one is to carry the ark of God but the Levites; for the Lord chose them to carry the ark of God and to minister to Him forever.”

This highlights the importance of God’s specific instructions regarding His holiness. It shows that not everyone could approach or handle the ark—the task was reserved for the Levites, whom God had set apart for this sacred responsibility. Even among the Levites, they were commanded to carry the ark properly, without touching it directly, using the prescribed method.

NUMBERS 4:15 When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, when the camp is to set out, after that the sons of Kohath shall come to carry them, so that they will not touch the holy objects and die…

The sons of Kohath were assigned to carry the holy objects only after Aaron and his sons had properly covered them, so that they would not touch the sacred items and die. Uzzah, in attempting to steady the ark, was presumptuous; he treated his sinful hands as if they were more holy than God’s holy presence. This act demonstrates the principle that God’s justice always aligns with His holiness—the punishment fits the offense. Just as with Nadab and Abihu, who offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, Uzzah’s death illustrates divine judgment. God is perfectly just, and His holiness demands reverence and obedience. T

New Testament Examples

Lying to the Holy Spirit.

ACTS 5:1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” 5 And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it... 7 Now there elapsed an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter responded to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for such and such a price?” And she said, “Yes, that was the price.” 9 Then Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? … 10 And immediately she fell at his feet and breathed her last, and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things. 

This passage reveals the seriousness of approaching a holy God with a divided heart. Ananias and Sapphira were not judged for withholding money, but for presenting themselves as fully surrendered while deliberately deceiving. Their sin was an offense against God’s holiness—treating Him as though He could be misled or manipulated.

Their deception was directed toward the Holy Spirit, emphasizing that God is not only present but personally aware of every motive. The immediate judgment demonstrates that God’s holiness cannot coexist with hypocrisy within His people. At this early stage of the church, God established a clear standard: worship and devotion must be genuine. The resulting fear among the believers was a recognition that God is pure, just, and not to be approached casually or dishonestly.

ACTS 9:31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.

The growth and stability of the early church were rooted in a proper response to God’s holiness. The “fear of the Lord” reflects a continual awareness that God is set apart, worthy of reverence, and deserving of obedience. This awareness shaped the church’s character, guiding them to live in a way that honored Him.

At the same time, the Holy Spirit brought comfort—not by diminishing God’s holiness, but by helping believers live in right relationship with Him. The Spirit assures, strengthens, and leads those who walk in reverence. Together, these realities show that God’s holiness does not distance His people; rather, it establishes the foundation upon which they experience His peace and presence.

PHILIPPIANS 2:12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;

This call to “fear and trembling” reflects a deep awareness of God’s holiness at work within the believer’s life. It is a recognition that salvation is not something casual, but a profound transformation initiated by a holy God. Therefore, it must be lived out with seriousness and humility.

Paul emphasizes obedience that is consistent and genuine, not dependent on human observation. To live in light of God’s holiness means to pursue a life that reflects His character—set apart, sincere, and obedient. This reverence guards against complacency and produces a steady commitment to honor God in every area of life. It is not fear of rejection, but a response to the greatness and purity of the One who saves.

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