Please share your thoughts!
Carla, excellent post! I am in total agreement with you. I believe that those who say the 3rd commandment means more than misuse of a literal name for God are correct in that regard. But why is it that people seem to think it makes misuse of God's name correct?
When Jesus came, He did not abolish the law but fulfilled it, and what we are called to as Christians is not some lesser law but actually a broadening of the principles of the law. Our identity is that of having the law written on our hearts instead of merely on stone.
I recently read Jerry Bridges' book "Respectable Sins" and, although there were a few things he said that I disagree on, most of it was very helpful. He said that "ungodliness" is not the same as unrighteousness. "Ungodliness" is living without a recognition that we are living under the Kingship and eye of our Creator. When we say these things, we are acting ungodly.
I remember a drama from high-school that supposed to be a dialogue between God and a teenage boy. It started with the teen saying "Oh, my God" and it went on from there.
There is a stanza in a very convicting hymn we often sing at church.
We have not feared Thee as we ought,
Nor bowed beneath Thine awful eye,
Nor guarded deed and word and thought,
Remembering that God was nigh.
Lord, give us faith to know Thee near,
And grant the grace of holy fear.
I think that if we all had the remembrance that God sees our every deed and hears our every word and knows our every thought, we would not have the trouble we do with taking the Lord's name in vain (which includes words, thoughts, distrust, doubt, flippant remarks). May we be like the Psalmist in Psalm 141:3- "Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips." And may we have hearts that will submit to this guard and not try to find some way around it!
I have the same reaction you do, Carla. When I'm editing something that contains it and I have the leeway to do so, I change it to "Oh my god." Somehow that seems slightly less offensive.
I certainly agree with you on the flippant usage, but I had a question. It's one I've had before because it's something I do and haven't ever been convicted it was a sin.
Occasionally, things happen in our lives that can be a bit traumatic. For instance, I was driving north on I-79 the other day with my husband to pick up some furniture to be restored. I noticed up ahead that folks were slowing down because it was rush hour. Unfortunately, the guy driving the 18 wheeler in the other lane must have been sleeping, because he suddenly hit the brakes and for several seconds he was skidding, there was lots of smoke, and he started to jackknife. He came very close to hitting the tiny car in front of him, and the car behind him had to swerve over in front of me to avoid hitting him. Of course I had left lots of room because I saw all this ahead.
But during this time, all I could say was "Oh, God! Oh, God!" There was no disrespect, and when these things happen I consider it a prayer of sorts -- the only thing I can verbalize. I'm crying out to the only One I trust to help.
Sorry for the long comment, but I wanted your opinion.
Hi Carla,
Great article, and I couldn't agree more.
We belittle the holy name of God when we use it in such flippant ways. I have been guilty of that myself at times, unfortunately.
Another thing I hear quite often is people beginning sentences with the name of God like, "God, I wish I could buy that boat." I seem to have become atune to it more lately.
Probably because the Holy Spirit greatly convicted me while listening to Phil Johnson's sermon series on the Ten Commandments. If you haven't heard this, I highly recommend it.
You can find it here.
He addresses this issue in great detail and brings up some things that I'd never considered before.
Again, great post. Thank you.
Just to add some further thought on this. The words “O my God” and "O God" are found to be spoken by faithful men of God in at least Nehemiah, Ezra, Daniel, Hosea, Judges, Chronicles, and in many Psalms. This is not to defend the flippant use of these words any more than using the name of our Lord Jesus Christ as is often used in vain as well. This is to say that the use of any reference to the Holy God should be backed with an honest utterance from the heart crying out to Him as did the people in the Scriptural references noted above. If it is not spoken from an empty heart, I do believe it is possible to use these words for a prayer in any circumstance that is full of sudden uncertainty and potential danger. As Jen said regarding the incident of shock and surprise on the highway the other day where I was with her, she did say “O God” right when I said “Lord Jesus”. In my heart I uttered a fast and serious prayer that my God would intervene in a circumstance that gave no time for extended prayer and I believe Jen did this as well. As the words do say “O MY God” if He is your God and you are knowing and reverencing Him at the time it is said then I see nothing in God’s Word preventing us from saying this. If it is said with an empty heart -as anything from God’s Word or Name can be said- then this is in the sight of God taking His Name in vain. Though we can tell by the fruit of individuals whether they say such things in vain only God knows the hearts and this seems it could be at times a matter of conscience. I believe from what you wrote that you include these thoughts as well but I though I would expound on this side of it.
Thank you for letting me share.
Marie: I found Respectable Sins a very good book, and have been a lot more aware of my own shortcomings ever since reading it.
GM: slightly less, yes. I'd have a hard time with that job.
Jen and Denny: (wow, I get you both on the same day!) I think the big difference between your examples and mine, is that you both actually had God in mind when you spoke His name. When our border collie was ran over by a truck a few years ago and I was running outside to the sound of her cries, I said the same thing and had the same frame of mind: "Oh God, have mercy on your creature and let her be okay". (Thankfully He was merciful and she wasn't hurt too badly).
The difference being using His name as a common word, and using His name in appealing to Him - a world of difference.
Gayla: the series from Phil Johnson looks very familiar for some reason, but just in case I haven't heard it, I've gone ahead and ordered it. Thank you so much for the recommendation, I always enjoy hearing Phil preach the word.
That makes sense. I was pretty sure you weren't saying the words should never be uttered when in shock or surprise, but that intention was paramount. Just clarifying -- I like to check with others to make sure I'm not missing the mark without realizing it.
Hi Jen,
I'm not sure I'd use the word intention (that opens a new can of worms, i.e., 'if your intention is not to offend, it's okay' being one the modern justification attempts for using cuss words).
I think I'd rather say your relationship with God is what matters. But yes, we are in agreement in that it isn't those words that should never be uttered, but what kind of heart is behind them. I know that might sound like splitting hairs but in our day I think it's especially important to define what we mean when we say things, since words seem to have either lost meaning or been redefined every time you turn around.
LOL After I wrote that, I thought of that very concept. Heaven forbid anyone thinks I'm post-modern or emergent.
Much better word choice on your part. And I definitely don't think it's splitting hairs. 
Carla, you won't be disappointed - even if you've already heard it!
I love Phil's teaching, and what he teaches. I listen to him more than anyone else other than my own pastor. I have an insatiable hunger for Truth since coming to embrace God's sovereignty 4 years ago.
I also enjoy reading your articles. Thanks for being one of few females (that I can find) who are reformed. Seems we're few and far between!
Saying "O my God" and "O Lord my God" and "O God" can be found in the Bible ~ context/intent sure makes a difference between what constitutes taking His name in vain or not. Grumbling...vain. Praising, thanking, or petitioning...not?
"O God" has many search results so leaving that one out.
http://cf.blueletterbible.org/se...d%22&t=KJV&
sf=5
http://cf.blueletterbible.org/se...d%22&t=KJV&
sf=5
hmmmm, see my thoughts were covered in the comments.
I'd like to point out that in other languages (Spanish, for example), saying "oh my God" (Dios mio) is commonplace and acceptable. Do you think that our tradition of regarding this phrase as offensive could actually be what makes it offensive?
Andrea,
it's rather commonplace and acceptable in English too. Simply because it's common and acceptable doesn't make it right. In fact, I could name off numerous issues that are common and accepted in our culture that are 100% in contradiction to what is right and moral according to God's declared word.
What I speak of when I object to using God's name this way is the flippant, empty use of His name as if it means nothing more than any other word. He deserves much more than to have His name tossed around like this.
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