Articles
But I Didn't Say It!
“BUT I DIDN’T SAY IT!”
When Jesus was teaching His disciples how to pray in Matthew 6:9, He states, “Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.” It is obvious that God’s name is special. “Hallowed” means “to make holy or set apart for holy use, to be sacred, or revered.”
However, in today’s technological world, it is sometimes difficult to keep up with the abbreviated terminology that is used in communicating in today’s fast paced, youth oriented society. We see things like “IM” or “Instant Messaging” or “lol” for “laughing out loud.” The phrase “by the way” becomes “btw.” Some of the abbreviated terminology uses profanity and obscene words, and regrettably, some people are using “omg” for “Oh, my God.” This phrase seems to be on the lips of many who receive startling news and react to it with the abbreviated “omg.” As Christians, we need to stop and think before we utter this or any other phrase that flippantly uses God’s name. In Exodus 20:7, we read, “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.”
When we think or speak of God, we must never forget that His Name is special and holy. The name of God encompasses His holy nature. It reminds us of His perfect and blameless teachings. We think of His great moral authority. It reminds us of His moral character. When we speak the name of God, we are calling upon Him as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. While in times past, all men, women, and children were warned not to casually toss around the name of God in their speech. We must, in these current times, avoid flippantly using abbreviated phrases which disrespect His name.
We should honor and protect God’s holy name. We should use it only for those occasions when we are speaking of Him or addressing Him in faith. Let us be ever vigilant to never turn the “hallowed” name of the Almighty God into just another useless phrase on our lips or in a digital text message. We read in Genesis 17:1, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless.” Written by Larry Schneider
