What is a swear word and "taking the Lord's" name in vain?

[selenah]

Lately I keep saying stuff like "d**," and"oh my god", and I just idk. Like this morning the first thing I said was "oh my God." For me, it's a habit because everyone always says omg at everything and anything. I mean at church, kids are always saying "oh god" when they talk about stuff so I'm not really sure what to think about it. I know the Bible says not to take the Lord's name in vain and stuff, but what exactly does taking the Lord's name in vain mean? What's a swear word?

 

[jimmydiggs]

When it comes to the name in vain, others can correct me on this if I am wrong. I recall it being dragging God's name through the mud, or treating it lightly.

The name of the Lord is holy, as He is holy. The name of the Lord is a representation of His glory, His majesty, and His supreme deity. We are to esteem and honor His name as we revere and glorify God Himself. To do any less is to take His name in vain.


What does it mean to take the Lord&#8217;s name in vain? <--- click for more

As for swearing, I can't give any specific principle.

Ephesians 4:29
29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

 

[trust_in_the_name]

Lately I keep saying stuff like "d**," and"oh my god", and I just idk. Like this morning the first thing I said was "oh my God." For me, it's a habit because everyone always says omg at everything and anything. I mean at church, kids are always saying "oh god" when they talk about stuff so I'm not really sure what to think about it. I know the Bible says not to take the Lord's name in vain and stuff, but what exactly does taking the Lord's name in vain mean? What's a swear word?

It's pretty simple. Taking His name in vain means speaking the name or title of God when you are not actually talking about Him. If I say, "I prayed to the Lord," that's ok because I am actually talking about God. If I say, "Oh my God," I have sinned, because it's not literally about God: it's just an expression. "Jesus" or "Jesus Christ" is another example, used as an expletive.

Swearing is using profanity: "damn it," "wtf," etc.

 

[orangecarmel]

i do the same to...im also trying to stop even though u hear it EVERYWHERE!
we can work on it together

 

[XboughtwithapriceX]

Say Omgoodness before you can say God, it helps, you will get use to it.
Also, if you feel that what you are saying is blasphemy to the Lord, then don't say it because it probably is, the Lord puts in us a spirit of wanting to please him, if anything that you feel is unpleasing, it probably is.

 

[Forlorn-Hope]

Ive always been told that saying the lords name in anger was using it in vain.

 

[zeroturbulence]

"You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name."
Exodus 20:7 NLT

Its the 3rd commandment (out of ten).

 

[peachetty]

I WAS haveing this same problem till I cussed infront of my mom and I freaked out and haven't really wanted to again.... Or really could infact.... But that doesn't help u

So like what the first person to post said I think is right anything that is putting down God I think omg is ify though... I mean in sum places I think it's fine, for instance OMG MY CAT WAS JUST RAN OVER T.T .... So yeah... And any cuss word I think is bad... Ik they r just when u start to even think about saying 1 ask God for help and just change it bac to something like dang, or crap lol good luck

 

[carina]

Taking the LORD'S name in vain means u mentioned HIS HOLY name in nonsense or when u'r not actually talking about HIM. Most of us use HIS name in vain by means of expressing ourselves. For ex. When u r surprised u say Oh my GOD! or wen we r afraid. That's wrong.

 

[HoneyDew]

A swear word is vulgar,irreverent or vile profane speech. The opposite of irreverent is reverence.

Irreverent: disrespectful, contempt.
Reverence: a feeling or attitude of deep respect; honor, esteem,adore and awe.
Vile: mean highly offensive, unpleasant, or objectionable

 

[Tobby17]

Say Omgoodness before you can say God, it helps, you will get use to it.
Also, if you feel that what you are saying is blasphemy to the Lord, then don't say it because it probably is, the Lord puts in us a spirit of wanting to please him, if anything that you feel is unpleasing, it probably is.

Trust me this is the best thing that will help you. It helped me too..

Just try to say Oh My Goodness. You'll get used to it and it's very easy. REALLY!

 

[Matthew4Jesus]

A swear word... coming from where I live could probably write a list of 100+ swear words, there are a LOT. I am in the habit of using common ones.

I said Oh My God once, and my dad beat me with a cable, so it's kinda hardwired into my brain not to.

Just... use substitute words that are just as satisfying, like... ''sugar'' and ''dammit'' then again, people will probably say that's a swear word to. There's no winning, you just have to make your own judgment and choose what your line in the sand is.

My grandpa swears fairly frequently and he is the best Christian I know, and I know a LOT of Christians.

 

[Ugly]

Catch to swear words is its often cultural. In America we have words that are often considered not appropriate, but in other countries are used without thinking, even by Christians. I'd say with you being in America its better safe than sorry and just try avoiding any potentially bad words all together, then you don't have to worry about making the distinction.

 

[RyFlan]

Also taking the Lord's name in vain isn't just in speech, it's in action too. If you tell everyone you're a Christian but then go out and get drunk with you're friends every night, you're taking Christ's name in vain because you claim to be a "Christ"ian. That's what my dad (who's a pastor) told me.

 

[Krismyers55]

I don't see what the big deal is about Oh my God, Goddamnit I can understand but why is Oh My God such a big deal?

 

[TDWP22]

you do know "God" is a Title, not he's name, we do not know God's real name. Jehovah and Yahweh arent real names either, both come from the Hebrew "YHWH" meaning "i am who i am", but it was decided that vowels would be added so it can be pronounced...so in reality we dont know God's real name...now, Jesus was The Son's earthly name. Christ comes from the greek "Kristos" which isnt a name either, it's a word that means anointed one...i say Hell a lot and Damn too...using the the lords name in vain might mean who are you thinking of when you say "oh my god," are you thinking of our God, \ an idol or you are just saying it and you dont know who are you referring to.

 

[syborg]

I hear christians even in my own church say things like, " I went shopping this week and saw this tv on sale for £100 off and thought oh my God what a good price" or the kids were running about in the garden with sticks and I said to myself "oh my God what are they doing"

To me this is profanity. . I wrote a teaching on profanity the other week and presented it to my Pastor who told me that I was missing the point of Grace. . I think the point is Grace is becoming to much of a get out of jail free card to sit on the fence and obedience is not preached enough. The Gospel and following Christ is a TOUGH hard road of denial and submission through active choices and time with the spirit. . the more time we spend with God and make the right pro active choices the more he will honour us. .