Let’s be honest, we’ve all said certain phrases without thinking deep enough about what they really mean, and the weight they may hold over our spirit. Often times we mean well, but our words don’t usually line up with what we actually believe as followers of Christ. In a world full of catchy sayings and viral phrases, it’s easy for cultural language to creep into our spiritual lives. But Scripture reminds us: “The tongue has the power of life and death” Proverbs 18:21. So yes, what we say (and think) matter.
After seeing a Facebook post by Brandon Palmer listing the things he chose to stop saying as a Christian, it made me think about my own journey with Christ, the way that speak, and prompted me to make a list of my own. Here are some common phrases I often say, and as a Christian, why I think it’s time to retire them.
“This is Driving me Crazy”
“I’m dead” , “I’m broke”, “I’m sick”, “I can’t do this”… Or anything else that goes against what we actually want for ourselves. Im just going to be honest — I probably say some variation of, “ You’re driving me crazy” when talking to my kids, at least 50 times a day. But I’m learning that our words carry weight, even when joking. So it’s important to be intentional with what you say, and choose to speak life over yourself and your circumstances… always.
“Nobody’s perfect, so it’s fine”
Yes, we all fall short, but that doesn’t mean we get to live in disobedience without conviction, because we know we’ll receive God’s grace. His word empowers us to change, not stay the same. No, we’re not perfect, but that’s no excuse to willingly do things that we know are wrong 😑.
“God Knows My Heart”
God knows our hearts, but He also sees what we do. I don’t know, maybe it’s just me. But every time I would say this, it just felt wrong. As if I were using the fact that God knows my heart as a way to justify my poor decisions. Yes, I know God knows my intentions, but intentions don’t diminish effects. What’s in my heart should also show up in my actions and the way I choose to live my life.
“That’s the Way God Made Me” / “That’s just who I am”
I remember growing up, my mom used to always have to correct me on my attitude and anger. A quick shrug of the shoulders and a “oh well, that’s just me” would always be my response. Most of what we attribute to ‘walking in our truths’ or being who God ‘made us to be’, is simply us choosing to ignore our flaws; a way to remain comfortable in our behaviors and ways of living, instead of consciously trying to correct ourselves. But walking in God’s truth, instead of our own, comes with maturity.
“I hate doing…..”
Saying I hate doing something is probably my most quoted phrase ever. “I hate getting up for work”, “I hate doing my daughter’s hair”, “I hate paying bills”. This is actually an extremely disgusting thing to say as a Christian, once you think about it. How ungrateful of me, or any of us, to say we hate doing certain things, when it’s a blessing just to BE ABLE!
Instead of saying I hate getting up for work, I’m starting to say, Thank you, God, for employment. Or instead of saying how much I hate paying bills, I’ll say, “I’m blessed to make enough to cover my living expenses”. — I’m learning to show gratitude, even when it feels hard to do so. It’s ok to dislike doing certain things, or wanting more, but imagine how God feels knowing he’s giving us so much, and we dare to say we hate it or be unappreciative.
“I’ll pray for you” (and then don’t).
Empty promises don’t do any good for anyone. How many times have you known someone to grieve the loss of a loved one, or maybe battle a health issue, and the response they’d get from others would be, “Oh, I’ll pray for you” or “ I’ll keep you in my prayers”, and then do nothing? How many times were you that person that’s done nothing? I’m guilty of it myself.
But now, as I’m growing in Christ, if I say I’m going to pray for you – I DO IT! And for the most part, I’d do it right then and there. I even find myself praying for random strangers when I feel the need to do so.. Have you ever just seen someone and felt that they may be going through something? Nothing long and drawn out — as God already knows their needs. But a prayer from a righteous person is powerful and will go a long way.
Here’s a quick prayer you can say for someone when you don’t know their specific needs (if you know the person’s name, state it in the prayer!) :
“Lord, whatever this person may be going through, you know their needs. Heal them, comfort them, support them, and direct them in the way they should go. Place the right people in their paths, keep them from harm, speak to them, guide them, forgive them, fulfill them, provide for them, and continue to love them. Help them seek You in all their ways, for You are a way maker and miracle worker. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.“
“Everything Happens for a Reason.”
Ugh! Now this is what I can’t stand hearing THE MOST! Yes, everything does happen for a reason, and the reason is usually a direct result from a decision we’ve made. Most of our choices don’t even have God’s hand in them, at all 🙄. Like that child you had with someone else’s spouse, the murder that took your family member or anything else that would otherwise be the source of chaos.
While well-intended, this phrase can come off as dismissive to someone who’s grieving or struggling. Sometimes silence and presence are more Christ-like than cliché. – However, even in the midst of even the ugliest situations, God can turn it into something beautiful and make it work for your good! He’ll do that for us if we allow him and trust him to, because He loves us that much ❤️.
Other things I’ve heard Christians say we should stop saying are — any profanity, ‘On God’ or swearing to God, anything about zodiac signs, ‘Good Luck’, and the list goes on…
So yea…
Being a Christian doesn’t mean being perfect — but it does mean being intentional. Our words reflect what’s going on in our hearts (Luke 6:45). So let’s choose to speak words that honor God, reflect His truth, and point others to life — not confusion.
God’s truth doesn’t shift with trends or culture. I know of this seems so important — because how bad can saying “Oh My God” be, right — but if it conflicts with His Word, we have to choose Him, even when it’s unpopular.
If you’ve said any of these — no shame. We’re all growing. Just let today be a reset. 💬✨.
In what ways are you trying to change the way you speak?
TTYL,
LEXI 💋
