Minced oaths
"Holy and awesome is His name." Psalm 111:9
Minced oaths are usually, although not
exclusively, religious in nature, and date from the days when it was irreverent
and unacceptable to use the name of God, Jesus, or words pertaining to sacred
matters, in
everyday speech. To mince your words, means to choose words so as not to offend
anyone--except for God, who sees them as blasphemy! Now-a-days most all
professing Christians use minced oaths on a regular basis!
The following minced oaths, along with many others, have always been seen as
sinful by our godly predecessors:
Gosh — God
Jeez — Jesus
Heck — Hell
My gosh — My God
Good grief — Good God
Darn — Damn
OMG, etc., etc.
John MacArthur:
"God's name is taken more times in vain in churches than anywhere else. The
blasphemy in the sanctuary is worse than the blasphemy in the street!"
Richard Baxter:
"Do not dare to use God's name without thought, lest He remember your
thoughtless sin."
"To take His name lightly is to forget that He is the Judge of all the earth."
"Words matter; they flow from the abundance of the heart. Beware how you let
God's name pass your lips."
"Minced oaths are poison to the soul and a grievous offense to God."
"The careless tongue is a sign of a careless soul; do not let it profane the
holy name of God."
"The fear of God, should seal our lips from all vain and irreverent speech."
"To speak lightly or irreverently of God or holy things, is a sin of deep
impiety!"
"To trifle with holy things, even in the slightest form--hardens the heart and
grieves the Spirit of God. Take heed of speaking God's name lightly or
irreverently, for God will not hold him guiltless."
Stephen Charnock:
"The holiness of God's name should cause us to tremble, not jest."
John Flavel:
"The name of the Lord is a strong tower, not a playground for irreverent words."
"God's name is not to be tossed to and fro by the irreverent tongue, as if it
were a common or trivial thing. The sanctity of His name calls for holy
trembling and awe."
"Every syllable that breathes of God, demands our utmost respect."
Matthew Henry:
"A man who misuses God's name in his mouth, has no
sincere regard for God in his heart."
Cotton Mather:
"The tongue is a mighty weapon; let it not be used to profane the name that
saves us."
"Profaneness in speech is a sure token of a profane heart. To trifle with the
name of God is to tread upon holy ground with defiled feet."
William Perkins:
"To trifle with the Lord's name, is to trifle with His wrath!"
"The tongue is the instrument of the heart; let it not speak flippantly of the
holy name of God. Idle and vain mentions of His name, are affronts to His majesty
and call down His judgment."
"Words are not without weight in the court of Heaven. Those who play with God's
name in minced or altered forms, shall not escape judgment."
Edward Reynolds:
"The casual profaning of God's name is a crime against His glory, for which He
will judge all."
Thomas Watson:
"God will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain; such a sin cannot
escape His justice."
"Men take God's name in vain when they use it in idle discourse and vain
jesting, as if it were insignificant."
"How great is the profaneness of those who so lightly toss God's sacred name off
their tongues!"
"To take God's name in vain is a sin that strikes at His very being and
essence."
"Let us tremble to misuse that name before which the angels veil their faces."
"The Lord's name is solemn and holy; it is not to be trampled upon in idle
speech."
"Men excuse their talk by saying they mean no harm, but this is to add mockery
to sin."
"God's name, which is as ointment poured forth, must not be used to cover the
filthiness of vain words."
"Every misuse of God's name is a reproach upon His glory and sovereignty."
"It is a great sin to take God's name in vain. This is a sin that may be
committed by vain mentioning of God's name. This is a great dishonor to God, and God takes this sin
seriously."
"When we speak lightly or irreverently of His name, it is a taking of His name
in vain. God's name is not to be spoken without holy fear."
Samuel Willard:
"The profaning of God's name by vain talk or irreverent jesting, is a bold
defiance of His sovereignty. This sin strikes at the heart of God's glory and
invites His wrath."
"Every vain use of God's name is a proclamation of contempt for God's majesty."
Jesus Christ:
"I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for
every idle
word you speak!" Matthew 12:36
God Almighty:
"You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not
leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain." Deuteronomy 5:11
We have published a superb hymn by Isaac Watts, "All
to Low to Speak His Worth".
