OMG - The Careless Prayer

One of the most popular TV shows of the 1980's was "Magnum PI." Though entertaining and engaging, it was disturbing as well on one particular point. A principal character, Higgins, popularized the taking of the Lord's Name in vain by uttering several times a show; "Oh my G_______!" Since that time, Americans have adoopted this blasphemey as perhaps the most popular slang expression in our country.

So popular, in fact, even the abbreviation of blasphemey is gaining ever increasing popularity as well. Anytime the letters "OMG" appear blasphemey is taking place, though few realize it.

There are two issues here. First and foremost, the Name of God is holy and must be respected in the extreme. Paul tells us in I Corinthians 10 the the things "written aforetime" were written for our "warning," for our "learning" and for our "instruction."

1. Leviticus 21:6a - "...they shall be holy to their God and not profane the name of their God..."
2. Ezekiel 39:25b - "...I will be jealous for My holy name..."

There was a time when we referred to this kind of talk as "taking the Name of the Lord in vain." We should do so again!

The second issue is equally sobering. When one expresses the OMG slur what follows is...get this...A PRAYER. When one calls upon the holy Name of God, in either holiness or profanity, what follows the holy Name of God is a prayer, a request to God, for salvation or damnation. People may be solidifying their own damnation by profaning what is most holy...the Name of God.

The next time you need to make a point - don't drag the holy Name of God into it! As Jesus said; "Let your yea be yea and your nay, nay. Anything more is of the evil one." [Matthew 5:37]

Think twice the next time you speak to God!

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