Tag Archives: Words

CHRISTIAN LIVING

DO YOU NEED SOME OF THIS? — BOB PRICHARD

Have you heard about the new toothpaste? It has shoe polish in it. It is made for people who are constantly putting their foot in their mouth!

Don’t all of us wish, sometimes, that we had thought a little before we said what we said? Once those words leave our lips, they are so hard to call back. It is so easy for something we never intended to say to slip out. Of course, if we didn’t think those bad things, they wouldn’t be there to slip out. 

Wisdom speaks to us and says, “Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it” (Proverbs 8:4-11). Notice, for wisdom, the opening of the lips is only for right things, for truth. Wickedness is an abomination to the lips of wisdom.

James warned about how hard, but how necessary, it is to control the tongue. “If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!” (James 3:2-5).

Solomon reminds us, “Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding” (Proverbs 17:28). Just for today, let’s really think before we speak, and speak things that are good and right. Otherwise, you may need some of the toothpaste with shoe polish in it!

CHRISTIAN LIVING, GOD

“OH MY GOD!” — JOSH ALLEN

It is impossible to avoid hearing it. Watch TV or listen to the radio long enough, and someone will say it. From “Oh My God!” to “Oh God!” to simply “God!” These are not holy supplications but expressions of shock, excitement, frustration, and even anger. It is a reactionary statement said without thought and is so common in our culture that it has been abbreviated for texting purposes, “OMG.” It’s everywhere, but should it be in the vocabulary of Christians? 

Would you be surprised to know that this statement is biblical? It was often on the lips of God’s faithful. Three times Nehemiah cried out, “Remember me, O my God” (Nehemiah 13:14, 22, 31), and once, on behalf of his people, he said, “Remember them, O my God” (Nehemiah 13:29). OMG is also found frequently in the Book of Psalms. Twelve times the Psalmists sing, “O my God” (Psalm 3:7, 22:2, 25:2, 38:21, 40:8,17, 42:6, 59:1, 71:4,12,22; 83:13). Even Jesus on the cross cried out, “‘My God, My God, Why have You forsaken Me?'” (Matthew 27:46). Such verses indicate that “OMG” was never used the way it is today. In the Bible, it was never an expression of surprise or slang. It is just the opposite! Those in Scripture utter these words with the utmost respect and reverence. In the Bible, it is an expression of prayer, pleading, and a personal relationship with God.

God instructed Israel, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain” (Exodus 20:7). In this commandment, God did not prohibit the use of His name but rather the misuse of it. He is holy and desires His people to hold Him in reverence. He still does! So one must ask, do expressions (such as, “Oh My God!” or “Jesus Christ!”) show respect? Or do they reveal a heart that fails to make such a distinction? 

Jesus taught that words matter, for they reveal the heart. “‘A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give an account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.'” (Matthew 12:35-36).

The sound advice of James 1:9 is much needed today. “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” In other words, “Think before you speak.” Neither surprise nor anger is an adequate excuse for taking God’s name in vain. So, the next time you use the Lord’s name, let it be in prayer or praise.

“O my God, I trust in You; Let me not be ashamed” (Psalm 25:2)