OMG, We Have a Problem

The problem is with the acronym OMG, and the phrase that it stands for.

What does oh my god mean?

Oh my god is an exclamation variously expressing disbelief, frustration, excitement, or anger. Its abbreviation, OMG, is widely used in digital communication.

According to dictionary.com "the particular construction oh my god appears in print in 1880s in a religious context, showing up as a more general exclamation of extreme emotion by 1905....OMG of course gained widespread usage with the rise of digital communication in the late 20th-century, likely propelled by character limits placed on early text- and instant-messaging. While originating as a shortening of oh my god, OMG has become so common that speakers now widely use OMG, pronouncing each letter, in everyday speech."

At the very end of this article it states, " While taboos against religious profanities have broadly weakened in popular culture, be mindful of using oh my god and OMG among religious company, they don’t like it." One problem is it's become so widely used that some Christians even find it acceptable to use the phrase or acronym.

I have a problem with that. I have a problem with the phrase, with the acronym and with the 'taboos against religious profanities broadly weakening in popular culture.'

I have a problem with it, because God has a problem with his name being misused. He says in Exodus 20:7, "You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name." This is a serious offense to God and to Christians.

Why is this a problem? Because God's name must be revered, honored and treated with respect. After all, her created the universe, and 'he can't get no respect.' A little Rodney Dangerfield line for ya there, but it's true, despite the attempt at a bad joke.

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD in holy array. Psalm 29:2

Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. Matthew 6:9

O magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together. Psalm 34:3

The list can go on, but I digress.

We need to go from using "Oh my God" to "O My God" The difference? The latter uses the phrase with reverence, respect, praise and awe of God's name and the former does not. In fact it uses His name flippantly and without any thought to God at all. Sounds pretty vain, shallow and empty to me.

The men in the Bible often used the phrase, "O My God" in conjunction with imploring God to listen, to see, to remember, to arise, and to save.

Now, O my God, let your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayer of this place.

2 Chronicles 6:40

Ezra even says in Ezra 9:6, "O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to you, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has mounted up to the heavens."

He was so ashamed of the sins of his people that he couldn't even lift his face to God and we go around today using his name so recklessly, with no shame. We have strayed so far from that today.

Perhaps we should adopt David's method of addressing the Lord when he used the phrase, "O My God". He says in at least three different Psalms:

O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. Psalm 25:2

Do not forsake me, O Lord! O my God, be not far from me! Psalm 38:21

I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” Psalm 40:8

Perhaps if we, as a nation were like David and had more of God's law in our hearts, maybe we would be more inclined to use his name with respect and less inclined to drop the 'OMG' phrase so thoughtlessly.

The article mentioned above even goes on to give examples of how the phrase can be used.

"It can express

joy (“Oh my god! I just got a job offer!”) Problem

Solution: "O My God, thank you for providing for all of my needs", "I will also praise you for Your faithfulness, O my God.", Psalm 71:22

despair (“Oh my god! I just got fired,”)Problem

Solution: "O my God, help me in my time of need," "As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!" Psalm 40:17

relief (“Oh my god, I’m so glad that exam is over,”) Problem

Solution: "O my God, thank you helping through a difficult time." "O my God, in you I trust" Psalm 25:2,

dread (“Oh my god, I don’t want to go to work today,”) Problem

Solution: "Do not forsake me, O Lord! O my God, be not far from me! Psalm 38:21,

excitement (“Oh my god, it’s so good to see you!”) Problem

Solution: "I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” Psalm 40:8

fear (“Oh my god! There’s a spider!”) (life has bigger fears than spiders) Problem

Solution: "Rescue me, O my God" Psalm 71:4

frustration (“Oh my god, this is hard,”) Problem

Solution: "O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest, yet you are Holy."Psalm 22:2-3

It goes on with the nonsense from there.

I know this is a break from the norm of what I write about in my blogs. I liked to focus on the battles of the flesh and triumphs of faith, but I think for some, using this phrase is a battle against the flesh that needs to be fought and can be a triumph for the faith if more people found a problem with using this phrase.

So I will leave you with a plea from Daniel, that is mine, as well, for a people of today,

“O Lord, hear. O Lord, forgive. O Lord, listen and act! For your own sake, do not delay, O my God." Daniel 9:19