Are you fast at texting? I am amazed at how quickly teenagers can move their thumbs sending messages to one another in record time. I’m certain they are going to have to create an Olympic sporting event for texting. Some of these kids are so fast; you don’t even know they’re texting.
I, on the other hand, have been told by my children I text like a third grader. I am frighteningly slow and because I used to teach school, I feel the need to use proper punctuation and capitalization in each sentence. When I needed to replace my phone, I purchased a full keyboard to expedite my texting, but it hardly helped.
The thing that disturbs me about texting is how people will “say things” in a text message they would never say face to face. Guys and girls use it as a means to flirt and they are sometimes extreme in what they will “say.”
The thing that disturbs me the most is “OMG” which stands for “Oh, my God!” I do not think people realize they are taking the Lord’s name in vain by pressing those three simple keys and then send.
God is very clear in how we should treat His name in Exodus 20:7 “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” When the phrase “Oh, my God” is used, it is a cry out to Him, not a flippant phrase that should be used over the purchase of a fabulous pair of shoes or because some guy asked you out. The name of God should be revered.
The Israelites understood the power of names and they held the name of God in awe and reverence. Somewhere along the way in our culture, we’ve lost the awe and respect for God’s name.
We are reminded over and over how God’s name should always be praised [2 Samuel 22:50, Psalm 7:17, Psalm 54:6, Psalm 113:10, Isaiah 25:1, Daniel 2:20, Joel 2:26, Romans 15:9, Hebrews 13:15, and 1 Peter 4:16]. If scripture repeats this command over and over, then it must be an important lesson for us to learn. God wastes nothing, including our time. He went to the effort to put this command in His Word multiple times to drive home His point- “Respect my name!”
The next time you pull your phone out to send a text message, think twice before you press send. Will what you’re sending honor God? If not, don’t press “send.”
1 Corinthians 10:31 “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”