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OH MY FROG!

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We are not always mindful of the influence the world is having on us. There are subtle changes in attitudes and behaviors that go unchecked and become acceptable and ingrained. We mimic the talk and walk of a sinful world as we observe and blend in. If we are not convicted of the attitudes, and behaviors we have adopted that are not Christlike and are ungodly, we soon are no longer different from those who do not belong to Jesus.

There is one thing that I hear coming from the mouths of Christians that bothers me greatly. It is one of those subtle seemingly innocent actions that the world is teaching us. I would rather hear foul, vulgar language than to hear God’s name used flippantly, carelessly, and dishonorably. I prefer not to hear either, but I cringe when I hear God’s name thrown around by Christians without respect for it.

The phrase “Oh my God” or abbreviation OMG is a disgrace. It is used over and over in TV shows, social media, and in our day to day lives. Christians do not seem to realize how carelessly they are using God’s name. If we say “Oh my God” habitually and without any thought of the name we are using, we are committing horrendous sin against our Lord. We have allowed the world to lead us to disrespect God’s name. We can not continue to do this.

We need to replace this phrase used to express surprise, fright, glee, and many other emotional moments. It’s easy. Let’s say instead, “Oh my dog,” or “Oh my frog.” Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we were asked by an unbeliever about our different wording? We could explain how we love our Lord God and do not want to use His name carelessly. It could even turn into a Gospel conversation.

We will never change this about that until we become disgusted with hearing it. We must reprogram ourselves to hear how we are speaking the name of God, confess it and turn from it. I hope Christians will take very serious this matter of God’s name. God seemed very serious when He said, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.” (Exodus 20:7)

Oh My God!

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OMG! We hear and see this abbreviation everywhere today. Oh my God! On every reality TV show, you will hear this over and over again. Count them some day. You will be amazed. While a contestant is winning in some game you will hear, Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God! It is a very common text response to any semi-amazing assertion sent. In our emails, blogs, twitters, facebook posts, and everyday conversations these three letters (OMG) or three words (Oh my God) are used constantly, carelessly and thoughtlessly. You are probably thinking, “It’s just an innocent expression.”

I suppose it really doesn’t mean anything. After all, if it were some indication of faith in God it would be bleeped out in TV shows and movies. We would be attacked for calling on God in public places. There would be an outcry from the godless. Prohibition signs would appear in schools and at sporting events, WARNING: OMG NOT ALLOWED UNLESS FOLLOWED BY PROFANITY. Since no one objects, it must be an innocent meaningless expression.

Isn’t the use of God’s name as a meaningless expression the definition of “taking God’s name in vain?” James Kennedy, in his book Why The Ten Commandments Matter, says, “When God said in Exodus 20:7, ‘You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain,’ He was saying, ‘Do not use My name for emptiness – for no purpose, for no reason, as if My name has no significance.’”

Maybe you use the expression “Oh my God” and believe you always choose those words as a respectful and God honoring tribute. Just to be sure, why not always follow the expression with additional God honoring praise? “Oh my God, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done.” Or maybe we could simply add, “How majestic is Thy name in all the earth.” It would be wonderful if every Christian tongue daily pledged these words from Psalm 19, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O my Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.”

If we can use OMG! or Oh my God! carelessly and without purpose to honor and praise our Lord, there is either little spiritual maturity, low spiritual sensitivity, or God’s Word doesn’t matter. You will respond to my bluntness in one of four ways. You will either be in total disagreement, total apathy, convicted of your wrongful use of God’s name, or declare OMG!