"If you say something like 'Oh my God,' then you're using His name in vain, but if you're saying something like OMG it's not really using the Lord's name in vain because you're not saying 'Oh my God. ' It's more like 'Wow.
To use God's name in vain means to use his name in a frivolous or vulgar manner. It also means his name is not to be used for a selfish purpose.
Timothy Jay, author of “Cursing in America” and “Why We Curse,” says that according to his research, ” 'Oh my God' is in the top 10 of expletives. It is used five times as much by women as by men.” Oddly enough, Jay says, research has also shown that “Oh my God” is often a euphemism for something else.
One of the ways God's name is misused is through profanity. Webster's dictionary defines profanity as to violate or treat with irreverence or contempt something regarded as sacred. The word literally means "before the temple." So, a profane word is one you would not use in church.
But God won't be used as a charm — good or bad. Using God in this way is blasphemy. In fact, the Judaic-Christian tradition has a commandment to address that specific blasphemy. Deuteronomy 5:11 says “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.”
Whenever humans offer oaths, they swear by someone greater than themselves. Since God had no one greater than Himself, He swore by Himself. He based His oath on His own great name, guaranteeing He would accomplish His purpose.
Oh my god is an exclamation variously expressing disbelief, frustration, excitement, or anger. Its abbreviation, OMG, is widely used in digital communication. Related words: omfg.
There is no difference in meaning, though "oh my gosh" is a softer, less offensive version of "oh my god." They are both expressions of surprise, disgust, excitement, etc. People who don't want to use god's name prefer to say "oh my gosh" but the meaning is exactly the same. "Oh, my God" is slightly rude.
Julian Schneider, 14, agrees. "If you say something like 'Oh my God,' then you're using His name in vain, but if you're saying something like OMG it's not really using the Lord's name in vain because you're not saying 'Oh my God. ' It's more like 'Wow.
One way to help break a bad habit that may have developed is for the one who says, “Oh, my God!” to correct themselves aloud by saying, “Oh, I mean to say, 'May the name of the Lord be praised! '” This makes reparation and also helps break the habit.
Some of Jesus' enemies refused to believe that He was the Son of God, and attempted to kill Him "for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God" (John 10:33). Cursing is one form of blasphemy, because it treats God casually and ignores His glory and honor.
Rev. Graham: Only one sin that can't be forgiven is on God's list — and that is the sin of rejecting Him and refusing His offer of forgiveness and new life in Jesus Christ. This alone is the unforgivable sin, because it means we are saying that the Holy Spirit's witness about Jesus is a lie (see Luke 12:10).
Jesus' name in Hebrew was “Yeshua” which translates to English as Joshua.
The name should be used respectfully, with an awareness of the presence of God. It must not be abused by careless speech, false oaths, or words of hatred, reproach or defiance toward God, or used in magic.
Strewth! A common word that Aussies use to express surprise, exclamation or disappointment. Similar to saying, “oh my god!”, for example. The more you use it, the more familiar you'll become with it.
To be honest, I feel even a little bit guilty typing the words, “Oh my God.” Of course, it is certainly not wrong to use the phrase “Oh my God” when you are actually talking to God or about God (2 Chronicles 6:40).
The abbreviation OMG (or Oh My God) is actually 100 years old. The earliest use of the abbreviation was recorded in a letter dating all the way back to 1917 by a British Admiral named John Arbuthnot Fisher. And, it wasn't shorthand--in the letter, he used it as a colloquial expression.
Etymology 1
An abbreviation of oh my God, although sometimes glossed using minced oaths to avoid offense. In its first attestation, also intended as a punning reference to the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George.
“I think some atheists are annoyed by the use of the word God in 'God bless you. ' Atheists probably prefer gesundheit or some equivalent, which just means 'good health,' a principle the faithful and faithless alike can believe in,” Dr. Haque said.
Exodus 20:7 tells us that we are not to misuse the name of the Lord, our God. That verse continues with a clear warning: “The Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His name.” The third commandment should not be taken lightly. Leviticus 24 says that a person caught taking God's name in vain was to be stoned.
Matthew 5:34-37 New Century Version (NCV)
But I tell you, never swear an oath. Don't swear an oath using the name of heaven, because heaven is God's throne. Don't swear an oath using the name of the earth, because the earth belongs to God.
Isaiah 45:23 New Living Translation (NLT) I have sworn by my own name; I have spoken the truth, and I will never go back on my word: Every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to me.”