Taking The Lord's name in vain

[moladybug]

I work with a very nice group of people and I am the newest member of the team, having been there for 2 months. We work in an office and often share funny stories, help when struggling with work load, share lunch, etc.
My question and problem is everyone there says “Oh My Gxx!” about everything. Increased work, hard assignment, deadlines, funny story, good food, pretty outfit, stubbed their toe, drank something hot, read a story on the internet… the list goes on.
Sometimes it is in frustration/annoyance and sometimes not. Is this taking God’s name in vain?
We work in cubicles so no one can see how often I am crossing myself each time I hear this but it is really bothering me how often it is said.
Should I be crossing myself or is this something harmless?

 

[Nelka]

It is.

They are breaking a commandment.

I get this at work too and I work with all Protestant Christians.

 

[Tomdstone]

I work with a very nice group of people and I am the newest member of the team, having been there for 2 months. We work in an office and often share funny stories, help when struggling with work load, share lunch, etc.
My question and problem is everyone there says “Oh My Gxx!” about everything. Increased work, hard assignment, deadlines, funny story, good food, pretty outfit, stubbed their toe, drank something hot, read a story on the internet… the list goes on.
Sometimes it is in frustration/annoyance and sometimes not. Is this taking God’s name in vain?
We work in cubicles so no one can see how often I am crossing myself each time I hear this but it is really bothering me how often it is said.
Should I be crossing myself or is this something harmless?

I think it is a mortal sin to take the name of God in vain, as this is the second commandment. Being right at the top of the list, this commandment is extremely important.

 

[Beryllos]

Jesus said that the greatest commandment is “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” I think that is the fundamental principle behind the commandment as Moses received it, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.” As we think about this commandment and live by this commandment, we should direct our energy, attention, and love toward God.

Now, the problem with your habit of making the Sign of the Cross every time you hear God’s name spoken in vain is that you are focusing on someone else’s error and someone else’s apparent sinfulness. Your habitual signing of the Cross at every instance may constitute a distraction. It may be distracting you from your more important purpose to love and serve God.

Here is a loose analogy: Suppose you receive a photograph of someone you love, and you notice some problems with the quality of the photograph. Perhaps the picture is blurred because the photographer jiggled the camera, and the skin color came out a little green because the printer wasn’t working right. We can think about the imperfection of the photograph, and regret that it was not better taken and better printed, but such thoughts distract us from the deeper significance of the photograph. Look instead at how your beloved is posed and the expression on his or her face. Let it remind you of the true beauty of that person, and your love, and his or her love.

What, if anything, should you do about the situation in your office? Let’s start again with the principle of love. How can you respond with love for those people who are taking the Lord’s name in vain? Be patient with them. Try to avoid feeling offended (I’ll say more about that later), but if you do take offense, be quick to forgive. Let your good behavior be an example to them. Do not scold or preach, but if you have the courage, look for those times when speaking may be effective, and then speak gently about loving God and respecting his name.

Pray at the beginning of your workday, or pray at the end, or both if you are so inclined, but don’t stop and pray every time you hear the Lord’s name spoken in vain. Offer prayers of praise. “Blessed are you, O Lord my God, and blessed is your holy and honored name for ever.” Pray for yourself and for your office mates, that the Holy Spirit may strengthen and guide all of you to grow in love for God and one another, and to grow in virtue.

Finally, do not worry. Do not obsess. Do not let another person’s careless expressions bring you down. Do not let yourself feel offended. Why not? Because it is self-centered. When we say or think “Your behavior offends me, Your behavior makes me feel bad,” we are focusing on our own condition and desiring our own good. It is far better to focus on the other person, to desire their good, and, if possible, to work for their good.

May the Lord bless you and everyone in your workgroup.

 

[DoGodsBidding]

How terrible that you have to work in this environment. Our Pastor once explained that when someone takes the Lord’s name in vain we need to remember that they are talking about OUR Father. He noted that if someone were to say such negative things about about our mother or father, brother or sister, wife or husband, or one of our children we likely would not stop them and have a conversation. The intent is not to start a fight or argument, but to have a peaceful conversation about the issue. I have had many such conversations, and I no longer hear the Lord’s name being taken in vain near as much as I used to. Sometimes I just point out that damn is not God’s last name. Someone’s I make the sign of the cross and let them know why. The discussions are constructive, done one on one, and to date have had positive results. There are times when the other person has thanked me, and sometimes the discussion continues into both of us talking about our faith.

DGB

 

[truetofaith]

I work with a very nice group of people and I am the newest member of the team, having been there for 2 months. We work in an office and often share funny stories, help when struggling with work load, share lunch, etc.
My question and problem is everyone there says “Oh My Gxx!” about everything. Increased work, hard assignment, deadlines, funny story, good food, pretty outfit, stubbed their toe, drank something hot, read a story on the internet… the list goes on.
Sometimes it is in frustration/annoyance and sometimes not. Is this taking God’s name in vain?
We work in cubicles so no one can see how often I am crossing myself each time I hear this but it is really bothering me how often it is said.
Should I be crossing myself or is this something harmless?

The thing that bothers me the most is hearing little 4&5 year old kids saying, "Oh my G_ _!
It’s like a disease. :banghead: