Weekly Devotional

Words reveal the heart. Jesus said, “out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks” (Mt. 12:34). In our culture, expletives—words blurted in moments of frustration, shock, or excitement—often expose what fills a person’s heart. While many Christians avoid crude and obscene language, there is a more subtle problem we must face: the misuse of sacred words. The world often hurls words like “God,” “Jesus Christ,” and “Hell” as careless expressions of surprise or pain, stripping them of their intended reverence and weight. Tragically, the holy names that should lead us to worship are instead reduced to empty, common words—expletives without meaning.

This is not a minor issue. God has specifically commanded that His name not be used in vain (Ex. 20:7). Yet, the casual phrases we hear daily—“Oh my God,” “Jesus,” or “What the hell?”—trivialize profound spiritual realities. Even euphemisms like “OMG” or “Oh my gosh” flirt with the edges of irreverence. What compels us to follow these verbal habits? Is it just thoughtless tradition or the subtle pull to blend in with the world? Scripture warns us that every careless word will be brought into account (Mt. 12:36), and we should not dismiss the spiritual weight of this truth.

Let’s commit to pursuing holiness, even in our spontaneous speech. The next time we feel the urge to blurt something out, let’s choose words that neither mimic nor minimize the sacred. Let’s resist the world’s patterns and instead reflect a heart transformed by Christ, using our words to honor God. Our daily expressions, even in the heat of the moment, should display our reverence, not diminish it. May we be intentional, innovative, and distinct—always seeking to “abstain from every form of evil” (1 Th. 5:22) in how we speak.