By Chaplain (Col) Stephen W. Leonard, USA, Ret.
“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 20:3
“OMG” is a phrase, an expletive, a frequent expression even by those who never voice any other expletives, which is frequently used in people’s everyday conversations. They do not think much about it. In fact, they have never given it much meditation or reflective thought.
They need to reflect on the commandments of God and His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will obey my commandments.”
Does this expression reflect at all on the 3rd Commandment of the Ten? That Commandment is: “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.”
Of course, it must be determined when you say “OMG!” if you indeed have taken his name in vain. But unless, you are in a prayer to God, which you most often are not, you cannot say you are in prayer for the trivial, non-prayerful reason you have said OMG. And that very frequently, in fact, automatically.
OMG is said for any reason whatsoever, and not in any way in the context of a prayer to God. So it is truly said in vain! And the speaker is guilty of breaking the third commandment, and not in any manner showing love for Christ or His Father.
Those who use this phrase so flippantly in their everyday speech, if they are a serious Christian and do not desire for their profession of love for God or Christ to be questioned, need to stop using OMG in such a light manner. And they must express forgiveness to God for their regular use of his name in this flippant way.
It shows you do not revere His name nor properly fear the LORD God. This is a most blasphemous manner in which to treat the LORD God Almighty.
The use of OMG must be immediately ended, followed by repentance for your practice. It can be done, and that, soon, if you feel the full weight of your sin.
I would never test the LORD God with one iota of a continuance of such practice. He does not easily forgive your readiness to sin in expressing His name over and over and over with such flippancy. Can you find a worthy excuse for it? If so, I would like to hear it.
Encouragement
“Thy mighty Name salvation is, and keeps my happy soul above; comfort it brings, and power and peace and joy and everlasting love: to me, with Thy dear name, are given pardon and holiness and heaven.”
(2nd verse of Charles Wesley’s hymn, “Thou Hidden Source of Calm Repose,” 1749)
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