I am so happy to let you know that this article was published today on The Rebelution! Click here to see it!
We see it all over the internet.
“OMG! So cute!”
“OMG! I cannot wait!”
“OMG! Seriously?!”
We picture 13 year old girls texting friends, pink polished nails, skinny jeans, messy top knots. We think “total millennial!” We roll our eyes and laugh and talk in that annoying voice where everything ends in a question, “OMG?! Like totally?!” We make fun of it yet promote it all at the same time. It is the paradox of culture.
Some say it is cute, others say it is ridiculous. However, what if we unearthed the horror of this Instagram-favorite acronym? As a Christian, this may sting. But here we go. OMG is unearthed: Oh. My. God.
Some may argue that they really mean “Oh my gosh.” Others say it really means “Oh my goodness.” In reality, however, “OMG” originated from “Oh my God!” And though cute in our social media world, the reality is OMG is only another way to desensitize and degrade us towards the power, beauty, and indescribable holiness of God’s precious name. When we throw out His name like any other profanity, ignoring His sovereignty, we are blaspheming God.
The 10 Commandments of Exodus 20 are well known throughout the church. It is the reason why OMG is blasphemy: “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.”
Leviticus 19:12 says, “And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I [am] the LORD.”
And Psalm 139:20 goes so far as to say it is the enemies of God who blaspheme His name: “They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain.”
It is a horrible thing to take the name of God so lightly. “Oh my God” is not another cute phrase to sling around. It is not an exclamation to be used frivolously. It is not even an onset to the 4-letter profanities. To say “Oh my God” is to blaspheme the very name of Christ.
I looked up the definition of “blaspheme.” The result shocked me: “The act of claiming the attributes of a deity.” When we mindlessly use God’s name to our own advantage, we are claiming His deity. In other words, we are saying “God and I are on the same level– I can say and do whatever I want to!” Perhaps this parallels with Judges 17:6 where it is written, “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
So how do we respond to the horror of OMG? I believe, as Christians, that we simply do not take part in it. We are after all in this world, but we mustn’t become of it. We hear people blaspheme God’s name, we see it plastered on Facebook statuses. We watch movies that misuse His name, we laugh at songs that blaspheme Him. But we are set apart. We are unique. We are holy. And sin cannot be in the presence of holiness (isn’t that why Jesus died to save us, after all?).
We are the light in the darkness, the city on the hill– will we live out our faith? Will we be bold enough to live for Christ? Losing OMG from our vocabulary may seem trite. However, God doesn’t always call us to the stage of Christianity. Rather, He calls us to the little, mundane things in life. Losing OMG may not effect the world, but it effects the Christ-follower’s personal relationship with God. And in dying to self, we live for Christ.
The best part is that God is not leaving His name to be blasphemed. Ezekiel 39:7 informs us, “So will I make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not [let them] pollute my holy name any more: and the heathen shall know that I [am] the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.”
One day, God will bestow a new name upon Himself– a name none of us yet know. It will be a name so precious, untouched by the world and pure from blasphemy. And it is in that day that the enemies will know God. What a glorious day that indeed will be!
Faye, this is wonderful! This is SUCH an encouragement. I will be bookmarking this post for sure! Would you be okay with me sharing a link in Friday’s blog post? Everyone needs to hear this!
-Christina
http://www.christinnaandcamera.wordpress.com
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Thank you so much, Christina! I am so glad I could give you a bit of encouragement.
Yes, definitely! I would be honored having this post shared to your blog. ❤ Thank you for asking.
-Faye
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I COMPLETELY agree!! I never use it and it bothers me when people who don’t say “oh my God” think it’s okay to say “OMG”.
Also, while I agree the verses you show mean not to blaspheme God’s name (and I am not trying to debate or anything, just wondering if anyone else has heard this perspective), have you possibly heard the idea that they might also mean not to kinda use his name as an excuse? Like “God told me to do this” or “God doesn’t want you doing that”, like when a person chooses to gain something simply by using God’s name?
Again, great post 😊
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Hi Lissa!
Thank you so much for your comment and encouragement!
Yes, I have heard that perspective before. Definitely an excellent point– thanks for bringing it up! I believe ANY time we degrade God’s name it is a form of blasphemy. Whether we frivolously fling it around (like in the context of “OMG”) or we say “I’m doing this for God” when in reality we just want to cover up a sin.
I am reminded of Romans 6:15 where it is written, “What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!”
So yes, to answer your question, I believe blaspheming God’s name can be put into any context– whether we say “Oh my God!” or we say “I’m living for God” while living in complete opposition. In either situation, we are still taking the name of God in vain.
I hope this clarifies the topic a little better!
Thanks again for your comment! I really appreciate your input. 🙂
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Amen! I agree!
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Wow this post hit me hard. I do say “omg” often through text but I take it for granted that people will think I mean oh my gosh. I think I’ll stop using that acronym and just stick with another exclamation. This was really insightful and encouraging 💕
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Yes, it is amazing how easily “little” things like OMG can integrate into our vocabulary and daily lives. I am so glad you were encouraged!
Thanks for reading!
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Very well said, Faye. And so true. This world wants to bring God down to their level any way they can. We worship sports stars and movie stars. We use the Lords name in vain in so many ways. Vain means useless – of what use is OMG? We call events historic that are anything but, forgetting that HIS story is the greatest historical event ever.
Christians need to be above this, which you stated beautifully.. We need to do everything we can to lift up the name of Jesus and the majesty of our God. Anything less is just wrong!
Be blessed
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Yes, I completely agree with what you have said here. “We use the Lord’s name in vain in so many ways. Vain means useless- of what use is OMG?”
Thank you so much for sharing! I appreciate the input. 🙂
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Great post and very true
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Thanks for reading!
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There was a time I said OMG with the intention of it meaning oh my goodness and those around me also knew that was the meaning, since they know me. Which I guess is good in the sense they know where I stand pretty well. I still say oh my goodness out loud but I’ve stopped the lingo because people who don’t know me, don’t know what I mean, and the majority of people use it for taking God’s name in vain. My intention of using a phrase others use to demean God is useless because it doesn’t change anything, you know.
I love how you talk about this. I never understood Christians who physically say Oh my God, and it being used for shock or surprise. Not for talking to Him or giving Him praise.
I’m going to add this post to my community post spotlight. I really enjoyed this 🙂
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Thank you so much for sharing, T.R! I always love your input.
And thank you for adding this post to your community spotlight! It really means a lot! 🙂
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🙂 ❤
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Does OMW (oh my word) count as misusing God’s name?
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Thank you for your comment!
I personally believe that when it comes to phrases like “Oh my goodness” or “Oh my gosh” or even “golly”, it is a personally conviction between one person and God. I personally do not use these exclamations (though “oh my goodness” sometimes escapes my radar).
I will substitute these exclamations usually by saying “Oh my stars!” Haha, I’ve more or less become known for saying it. It’s my trademark exclamation. Lol!
I do not think Oh my Word is blaspheming God’s name, but that is something you personally have to ask God. If He is convicting your heart to lose “OMW” from your usage, then by all means listen to that prompting!
I hope this helps you a little bit. ❤
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Oh okay. Lol, that’s nice. Actually I have never used OMW before haha. Was just asking since sometimes I hear people say it. Is “Oh my..” okay?
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This is such a great post, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts! 🙂 It’s hard living in this world as a Christian but we always have the LORD to pray to and get encouragement from! He will never leave us.
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Thank you for reading! And yes, living for Christ is never promised to be easy. But in the end, living for Christ is always worth it.
Thanks for the encouragement.
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Your Welcome! Well said!
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Thanks for shining the light in the darkness. I pray the Lord will bless you for your courage and obedience, and may He receive much glory as He rides forth in truth through the words He has told you to write.
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Thank you so much! ❤
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Yes i completely agree with you. I pray that lord will always keep you happy and protect you from the bad evils.
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