The sign read, “Warning! Pet Peeves Ahead!” It wasn’t posted on a roadside, like an alert letting you know “bridge out ahead” or “road closed.” It appeared online.
However, it reminded me most everyone has those little irritating annoyances other people commit that get under one’s skin, don’t we? We try to ignore them, but they get to us anyway.
Like interrupters who won’t let you finish your sentence. Or loud public phone conversations. Or having a conversation in which the other person’s phone dings and they stop and read the new text word for word, obviously no longer listening to you. What else is on my list?
* People treating yield signs like stop signs
* Drivers flying through red lights with police nowhere in sight
* Drivers turning or changing lanes without using their blinker
* Poor bathroom etiquette and users who walk out without washing their hands
* Dog walkers who do not pick up after their pets
* People throwing trash out their car windows
* Certain misspellings, such as using “there” for “their.”
Have you ever wondered if God has pet peeves?
Like, maybe, believers who say they desire spiritual growth, yet do not read His Word? Or who claim to trust God but whose lives are filled with constant worry? Or who do not spend time with God in prayer?
What about people who skip church Sunday after Sunday? Does that perturb God? Or how about believers who fail to live in the fear of God?
What does it mean to live in the fear of God?
Ray Prichard wrote, “It’s the choice I make to obey God because I want to love Him and please Him. The fear of the Lord is the ongoing attitude of my heart that causes me . . . to obey Him even when it might be easier to do something else.” (https://www.keepbelieving.com/sermon/living-in-the-fear-of-god/, accessed June 19, 2019).
The person who fears God possesses a sense of awe and respect for the majesty, holiness and greatness of God. Fear is loving respect combined with respectful love for God.
Has our culture lost that sense of respect and honor? Have we? Jerry Bridges wrote, “There was a time when committed Christians were known as God-fearing people . . . but somewhere along the way, we lost it. Now the idea of fearing God, if thought of at all, seems like a relic from the past” (Bridges, The Joy of Fearing God, p. 1).
Let’s be honest. When we think about the commandment, “You shall not take the name of the Lord God in vain . . .”, (Exodus 20:7), usually we think of the expletive, “God _____.”
God does direct us to refrain from cursing, but this commandment also means we should not take His name lightly nor misuse the name of God.
How do we take His name lightly or misuse His name? When we use God’s name as an exclamation when shocked or angry. Have you ever heard someone say, “Oh, my God!”? Or texted OMG?
When I hear this, I cringe, like when someone runs fingernails down the chalkboard. This expression is so common in media and personal speech we’re insensitive to it.
Or, we say, “God, I wish it would rain.” We’re not praying. We’re using God’s name for emphasis to make a point or express a desire. That’s disrespectful.
Or, we say in exasperation, “I swear to God!” Is this expression acceptable to God? Is it necessary?
Why do we tolerate this bad habit? Apparently, we’ve lost our sense of awe for almighty God. We’ve become too flippant in our relationship with God or we’ve lowered our view of God.
How do we stop it?
With God’s strength and a commitment to fulfill Ephesians 4:29: “Do not let unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs.”
We can overcome these showings of disrespect. Ask God to help you recapture a healthy fear of God because you love Him and want to please Him in all you do, including your speech. Make the deliberate decision to delete these expressions.
It may sound corny, but what’s wrong with just saying “Oh my goodness!”?
[Dr. David L. Chancey is pastor, McDonough Road Baptist Church, Fayetteville, Georgia. The church family gathers at 352 McDonough Road, just past McCurry Park, and invites you to join them this Sunday for Bible study at 9:45 and worship at 10:55 a.m. Visit them online at www.mcdonoughroad.org. and like them on Facebook.]
