Submitted by: Morrissey | View Member Profile | View Other Posts
Created: 11/1/2005
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May the Lord help everyone reading this to discern the truth and importance of what is written herein. And we thank the Lord for hearing and answering this prayer. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Do you know what the words dang, darn, gee, golly, gosh, heck, and infernal mean? Here’s what Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition, says:
“dang = damn”
“darn = damn”
“heck = hell”
“infernal = of or relating to hell; hellish; damnable”
From the World Book Dictionary, 1988:
“durn = darn” (see above)
“gee = short for Jesus”
“golly = …substitute for ‘God’”
“gosh = altered pronunciation of God”
Most people know that they should not use d-a-m-n or h-e-l-l in everyday, non-religious speech, because those are swear words, and are not socially acceptable, as they are offensive to people. Not only are they offensive to people, but more importantly, they are offensive to God, because those words are so weighty and fraught with eternal significance that they should NEVER be used in everyday speech and/or as expletives/interjections – NEVER! Furthermore, there’s not much faster way to bring down society to a lower level and demoralize the people than to defile and curse others – including the youth – with one’s tongue by using the sacred and/or the holy in everyday speech. “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!” James 3:5
So, if we shouldn’t say d-a-m-n, then we shouldn’t say darn or dang either, because they are synonymous. And if we shouldn’t say h-e-l-l, then we shouldn’t say heck or infernal, either, because they are also synonymous.
Someone may say, “What’s wrong with using JESUS (or gee or gee wiz), LORDY, LORD, GOD, (or golly or gosh) in everyday, common speech?” The reason is that God says in the Ten Commandments of Exodus 20, “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain,” (“in vain” in the context of this document means “in common, everyday speech”). “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words, thou shalt be condemned.” Matthew 12:36 & 37
Also in this category of taking God’s name in vain, and idle words, are words and phrases like “goodness”, “goodness gracious”, “oh my goodness”, “oh mercy”, “for heaven’s sake”, “heavens”, etc.. Exodus 34:5 & 6 says, “the Lord…proclaimed the name of the Lord. And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.” This shows that mercy, gracious, and goodness are also God’s names, and therefore the casual, everyday use of them (like “goodness”, “goodness gracious”, “mercy”, “oh my goodness”) constitutes taking the Lord’s name in vain. Also of note concerning the phrase “oh my goodness”: Not only is it taking God’s name in vain – since one of His names is Goodness – but it is also incorrect. To say “oh my goodness” is to talk about my goodness. Even Jesus said that “there is none good but one, that is, God” [Matthew 19:17]; humans don’t have goodness in and of themselves – only God does [“There is none righteous, no not one.” “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of the glory of God;” Romans 3:10 & 23]. So to say “oh my goodness” is proclaiming one’s own goodness, which is truly not right.*
In summary, I will quote from a Christian English textbook** as follows. “Interjections are words such as oh and alas. They express strong feelings such as surprise, great happiness, or sorrow. Some interjections are very appropriate to use, but some are very inappropriate and should be avoided altogether. Appropriate interjections include oh, ah, and alas, or other meaningful words such as Look! Hush! Stop! Inappropriate and sinful interjections include any words that refer to God, Jesus, heaven, or anything holy in a disrespectful way or any changed forms of such words. This includes words that refer to God’s goodness, graciousness, holiness, and any of His qualities. This use becomes a sinful habit.”
If you are not interested in this from a Christian standpoint, perhaps it would interest you from the standpoint that such words and phrases offend many people, most of whom will not tell you they are offended, but will simply walk away offended and think to themselves or say to one another, That poor man (or that poor woman, girl or boy) doesn’t know that they are swearing and taking God’s name in vain – that they are offending God and offending others.” Hence this paper has been written that you also may know (if you do not know already) what words and expressions not to say! Have you ever seen the tee shirt that reads, “Heck is the place people go that don’t believe in Gosh”? This proves that many people are indeed offended by such language. In fact, it used to be that radio and television announcers were trained not to use any of the words or phrases discussed in this paper. It would indeed be better if not only the media and talk show hosts still adhered to that, but the rest of English-speaking society as well. And what were those verses that we quoted from the Bible earlier? “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words, thou shalt be condemned.” Matthew 12:36 & 37
May God bless you and your loved ones. May you draw near to God that He may draw near to you: “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the Lord:” Jeremiah 29:13 & 14
For further information in Bible-based lines, contact Project Restore, P.O. Box 2000, Locust Dale, VA 22948 or email them at staff@projectrestore.com They have many beautiful magazines that are offered free to those who are not members of our denomination, one copy of a title per person, as well as other materials. One magazine in particular, called “Peace Above the Storm” (also known as “Steps to Christ”), is a wonderful step-by-step guide to finding Jesus for yourself and continuing in Him. Also, you may wish to contact Amazing Facts at P.O. Box 1058, Roseville, CA 95678 or their online Bible study site at www.BibleUniverse.com
* So how can we have God’s goodness in our lives if we have no goodness of our own? “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh: and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” “Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: … which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:” “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Romans 6:23&22, John 3:5-7, Colossians 1:26-7, Hebrews 13:20&21
** Building Christian English Series, Book 6 “Progressing With Courage” page 82
Rod and Staff Publishers, Inc. 1971
