Board index ‹ Specific Bible verses, texts, and passages ‹ Exodus

[Zoozy]

Is saying oh my God and other phrases that had Gods name blasphemy?

[jimwalton]

Exodus 20.7 says not to take the Lord's name "in vain." The "name" of the Lord is equivalent to His identity, and it is holy (Ps. 103.1). The name can't be separated from the reality. God has revealed to us the glory of His nature in His name (Ex. 3.14ff.; 6.2). I think it is blasphemy to so lightly and blithely say, "Oh my God." Using the name of God for profanity or swearing is an irreverent use of the name and is demeaning to God's holiness.

Millie Ziegler Hemingway wrote, "God cared deeply about his name and how we use it. Surely something so important to God ought to be important to us, even if it’s completely counter to the spirit of our culture."