Christians--do you use the phrase, "oh my god"?

Question

Do you use it in a way of exclaimation? I used to. After I drifted away from God and then came back, I spent alot of time in the Bible. I looked at the ten commandments and found that I didn't obey alot of them. One thing I realized is that saying, "Oh my God" is using the Lords name in vain. I prayed and prayed that God would help me to not say it anymore. It took alot of work, but not the phrase rarely comes out of my mouth. I have heard, "oh my word" and things like that, but I've learned to replace it with, "oh my goodness".
Are there any other Christians out there who have battled this? Do you think that this is taking the Lord's name in vain? Have you learned to not say it? Do you think it doesn't matter?

When you say you do use it, are you speaking to God or just saying it as an expression?

Sometimes I think when we say it, God shows up waiting for us to pray. Then he realizes we weren't talking to him.

In high school when people use to say, "Jesus Christ" as an exclaimation, i would say, "You know him too?"

I also kinda feel like, geese or gosh are almost the same thing, although some might not agree. You're basicly saying the same thing, just finding a replacement word.

It's like, saying fudge for the F-word. You're still saying the F-word, just censoring it without saying the bad word.

I say this as a personal conviction. If God doesn't convict you of the same thing, that's between you and God. If you don't agree with me thats fine. God is working on different things on different people at different times.

King James Dictionary defines vain in this instance as:

"To take the name of God in vain, to use the name of God with levity or profaneness."

Answer 1

My sweetie says "Good Gravy" How cute is that!?

Answer 2

I do and I think it's fine. Here's why.

First, from the Evangelical perspective. If we look at this commandment (Deuteronomy 5:11) we see that the word for name is "shem" and the word for "in vain" is "shev'." Thsse words are remarkably hard to translate into English and have usually been taken to refer to the simple speech act of saying "oh my God" or something of the kind.

But shem (name) actually means more like the attributes and identity associated with what we call a name rather than the actual word that is the name itself. And shev' (in vain) means more like the state of being hollow and pointless, without meaning or significance. What that commandment is telling us is that we should take God seriously.

Now, I am not Evangelical and I do not subscribe to any laws, especially from the Old Testament, save the two principles to Love God and Love my neighbor. Saying "Oh my God" as an exclamation does not imply anything because it is referring to the thing at hand being a surprise or out of the ordinary. As such, it has an implicit meaning we are conveying about God - he ordered everything, he comforts and protects. And really, we don't even mean that. It's just syllables we utter an thay have nothing to do with loving God or others but they communicate our meaning well and that's good enough for me!

Answer 3

I used to when I first got saved, but now it's like fingernails on a chalkboard for me. In fact, if someone says GD in an otherwise 'clean' tv program or movie, it will actually alter my perception of that show.

But OMG or any variant is *hideous* to me, and I can't stand to hear it --- especially from Christians. I mean, it's God's *name* --- being used because you stubbed your toe or your pants don't fit. Does that seem sufficiently reverent to you? Scripture said that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Does saying this adequately convey your holy fear of Him?

Look at how (orthodox) Jewish people handle it --- they leave out letters when they write His name out of respect! And yet we are the ones who have been given a heart of flesh and who have the indwelling Holy Spirit. For shame, Christians.

Some of the answerers are right that the literal translation of the commandment is 'thou shalt not carry the Lord's name to emptiness". It therefore ALSO has the meaning of not hiding behind religion to justify sinfulness --- think pharisees. But that doesn't mean that we shouldn't take it on its face, as well. Don't use God's own Holy Name --- the thing that He holds up above all things, except for His Word, as a swear word!

I'm really not trying to condemn those of you reading this who are struggling with this. Genuinely, I am not. I pray that you will be freed of this. But for those of you who are Christians who feel no conviction over this, or answer "Good thing Jesus died for that" --- would you also treat the other ten commandments this way? (Oh well, I killed someone, but Jesus died for that). Paul said that we should NOT treat grace as cheap --- and never use it as an excuse to sin. Sin is a serious issue! The God of the universe DIED for that sin.

Just something to think about, Christians.

Answer 4

No I don't, I have always thought it disrespectful.

What i have been convicted of , though, is what comes out of my mouth is a reflection of the attitude of my heart. Do I use "clean" words and phrases in place of "dirty" ones?? Does it make a difference what the word or phrase is if the attitude of the heart is still dirty?? I have been convicted of working on my heart reaction to offense, pain, frustrations, disappointments, etc and when that is right what comes out of the mouth is never a problem.

Answer 5

Sometimes it slips out along with dear lord....I am trying to retrain myself to not say those things though because I know it is taking God's name in vain. My parents and sister are non-Christian so sometimes when I hang around them I get in the habit of it, but I don't like it one bit and almost always catch myself and ask forgiveness.

Answer 6

I try not to but sometimes the expression comes out of my mouth before I can help it.

FYI, saying OMG isn't taking the Lord's name in vain. The second commandement refers to people who do evil works and claim that they are acting in the name of God (such as Osama Bin Laden). But I still try not to say OMG because I think it sounds disrespectful, much like saying the F word or S word is disrespectful. I try not to say those words either, but they also sometimes slip out before I catch myself.


Actually, it was a Catholic priest who told me that OMG isn't taking God's name in vain.


EDIT: Ledbetter, I like your answer!

Answer 7

i'm pagan and don't allow my children (age 9, 12, 15) to use that term. not because we don't believe in that god, but because when i was brought up, it was akin to swearing. it was foul language. this of course comes from christianity saying that it's using the lord's name in vain. even though i was raised atheist, it was not polite to use that phrase. that's what i have taught my kids and it turns my stomach when i hear little children shouting "oh my god!".

i think this is an interesting question, because i often wonder how parents can let their kids say that, especially when i live in a christian town! when did it suddenly become OK to use that phrase for a christian???

Answer 8

No, not usually. Not if I can help it. It IS taking the Lord's name in vain.

I hate it that on TV they bleep out f*** and s*** but not Oh my G**. It makes my stomach turn.

I usually say Oh Geez, or Oh My Gosh or Goodness.

I agree with the guy who hates hearing non-Christians say it. Especially atheists.

Answer 9

How is saying oh my god using the lord's name in vain, when 'god' is a title and not the lord's name?

Answer 10

i say it all the time, and although i kind of feel like i shouldnt, im not losing sleep over it. i heard somewhere that the name used for God in that commandment is JHVA and that the proper pronunciation is unknown because everyone did as they were told back then!
i like to copy an episode of south park i saw and replace the word "God" with the word "science"

And also, its just an expression, i dnt agree that its wrong for atheist to say it. When i say its raining cats and dogs i dont actually think it is, and when i say FU CK ME!, its not an invitation

Answer 11

I always say "oh my gosh". I remember when i was younger and in sunday school, my teacher said that it was using the lord's name in vain. but when im typing/sending emails & such, I use omg. you choose what it stands for. lol