Is "OMG"
Acceptable Language for a Christian to Use?
Beloved friends, from time to time I see this expression on Facebook: "OMG"
or "omg." Perhaps some do not realize that one does not have to spell
out profanity in order to show disrespect for the Lord God Almighty. When one
implies a disrespectful or irreverent reference to God or implies a less than
reverent and respectful reference to His name, this is not acceptable to God.
I realize that some are babes in Christ and new in the faith, and perhaps do
not realize that they are actually showing disrespect to God. Those who are
sincere will be interested in this article. Others do not care and will defend
the profanity that they use, and they do not care whether they offend God or
not.
Yet, to those who do care and want to please God and go to heaven, please take
heed to what God's word says about these things. Consider these Scriptures:
Ephesians 4:29 (KJV), "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your
mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace
unto the hearers."
Vulgar language, sexual implications and suggestions, and irreverence toward
God and blasphemy, are all corrupt, as well as lying, deceit, malicious words,
slander, backbiting, talebearing, and all speech that is corrupt, bad, and defiling
speech. According to Paul, the speech of the Christian is to edify, or build
up. It is to have an influence for God and spiritual strengthening, and not
that which would evil influence the speaker or the hearing of it.
Jesus taught the importance of showing reverence to God, when He taught His
disciples to pray: "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which
art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name" (Matthew 6:9). The KJV, the ASV, and
the NKJ all capitalize, "Hallowed." The late brother H. Leo Boles
(Gospel Advocate Commentary on Matthew) states: "Here we have the invocation;
many prayers of the Bible begin with a very solemn address to God, which we
call the "invocation." This was a new form of addressing God; this
invocation is calculated to inspire reverence and confidence; God is "our
Father." Under the Old Testament God is addressed as the Creator, Almighty
God, Jehovah, and the Great God; God's people were recognized under the law
as servants, but in Christ they are regarded as children, hence they can address
God as Father. "Our Father" is "in heaven"; this shows that
the real object of our prayers is a personal God and that he is located in heaven.
The Bible recognizes the omnipresence of God, that he is everywhere, but when
regarded as Father his personality is located in heaven. "Hallowed be thy
name" means that his name is to be treated as holy; it is to be spoken
reverently and due respect is to be given unto God as a Father. We can come
into the true spirit of prayer only as we hallow the name of God."
Hebrews 12:16 (KJV), "Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person,
as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright."
Albert Barnes aptly states on this verse, "The word profane here refers
to one who, by word or conduct, treats religion with contempt, or has no reverence
for that which is sacred. This may be shown by words; by the manner; by a sneer;
by neglect of religion; or by openly renouncing the privileges which might be
connected with our salvation. The allusion here is to one who should openly
cast off all the hopes of religion for indulgence in temporary pleasure, as
Esau gave up his birthright for a trifling gratification."
A profane person is one who treats that which is Sacred as if it were a common
thing. Hence, one who treats the high and holy Name of God as if it were common,
or uses it flippantly or as a byword, is treating that which is holy, as if
it were not! Those who use profanity are treating God's name in a manner which
is not Sacred!
Under the Old Law, Jehovah God severely warned Israel against taking His Name
in vain: "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" (Exodus
20:7). Although we are no longer under the Law of Moses today, that is, the
Old Law, the principle of reverencing the high and holy Name of God holds true
in the New Testament also, as we are to "hallow" the Name of God and
show Him the utmost reverence! The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, the
Holy Spirit, make up the Godhead. [cf. Mat. 28:19; 2 Cor 13:14; John 1:1-3,
14; Acts 5:3-4; Eph. 5:20]. All Three are God [Gen. 1:1-2, 26].
Therefore, the Name of Jesus Christ, the Son, is to be held in reverence, as
well as the Name of the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Philippians 2:9-11 (KJV), "9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,
and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus
every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things
under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is
Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Revelation 11:15-17 (KJV), "15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there
were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the
kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell
upon their faces, and worshipped God,
17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and
art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned."
By Danny Douglas
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