CASE AGAINST SAYING CHRISTIAN CLICHÉS
Today, there are many Christian clichés. More and more people are saying Christian clichés to appear more spiritual. However, there is no power in those clichés. That's one reason I hate hearing them, and there are other reasons as well.
Cliché: Definition
A cliché is a repeated phrase that is used by some to get other people's attention and to impress them.
Usually, a cliché becomes overused to the point of losing its original meaning. At an earlier time, they were considered meaningful. Then, when they became overused, they became irritating to hear.
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What Are Christian Clichés?
Christian clichés are those sayings that disciples of Christ say to other disciples of Christ. Once they find a cliché they like, they hang onto it and overuse it to the point that it quickly loses its flavor.
A cliché has no power, even when people attach part of a scripture to it. It is just a combination of words that someone said, and others thought the cliché was cute enough for them to use. Before long, many in the entire church started saying it, and now, it is a cliché that shows up in conversations and, unfortunately, in sermons.
Reasons Christians Quote Clichés
Christians quote clichés because they hear other Christians quoting them. Instead of reading the Bible and repeating the Words of God, some Christians pick up clichés from someone else and believe those words have power.
Christians quote clichés to give the impression that they are spiritual.
It is much easier and less time-consuming to quote a cliché than to be like the Bereans who searched the scriptures for themselves (Acts 17:11).
Why Christians Should Avoid Using Clichés
Christians should avoid using clichés for several reasons.
First, they are meaningless and void of power.
They are not in the Bible.
God never commanded us to use them.
Jesus never used them.
The Holy Spirit doesn't guide anyone to use them.
God is not pleased when His words become a commonly used cliché.
A cliché edifies no one, not even the people repeating it.
When a cliché is used, it takes up space that could be used for the Word of God.
For someone like me who knows the Bible, hearing a cliché is a turn-off. Clichés hurt my spirit, and I would rather not hear them.
An Overused Cliché Christians Say
Here are some clichés Christians use that should be avoided.
One person says, "God is good." Another person joins in and says, "All the time." Then, both people say in unison, "And all the time, God is good."
Everything in the cliché is true, but it is not that way in the Bible. The speakers have taken just part of scriptures and strung them together to give to itching ears.
In the King James version, the phrase "God is good" is in the Old Testament and in the New Testament. Here are a few scriptures that say, "God is good" and there are many others. However, none of them end with the resounding "all the time" that many Christians say.
"Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart" (Psalm 73:1)
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. (Psalm 136:1)
"For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." (Psalm 100:5)
It is just easier for some people to only say, "God is good" instead of quoting the entire scripture.
Other Clichés Christians Use That Are Not Biblical
Here are other clichés Christians need to stop saying because they are not in the Bible, and they have no power.
"The devil is a liar." That's only part of what the Bible says.
"I plead the blood of Jesus." Jesus shed His blood once and for all. He will never do it again, no matter how much people plead for it to happen again.
"I love you more." Someone might say, "I love you." Another person tries to go one better by saying, "I love you more." That's not what the Bible says. However, a great percentage of Christians say it.
"Take care." At the end of telephone conversations, instead of merely saying "Goodbye," some people think they are blessing the listener by saying, "Take care!" That's the opposite of what the Bible tells us to do. According to 1 Peter 5:7, "Cast all your cares upon God; for he cares for you."
When a cliché is used, it takes up space that could be used for the Word of God.
What's Wrong with Saying Christian Clichés?
Some Christian clichés might have an element of truth, but they are not helpful. They might sound spiritual, but they are powerless. What others hear from our mouths should be something that causes non-Christians to give their lives to God to grow spiritually. No one grows from saying or hearing a cliché.
Many clichés might sound good, feel right, and make others use them, but the problem is that they are not God's word. We shouldn't build our faith on half-truths because we could end up disappointed and questioning our faith. Even worse, we stand the chance of crippling others when we encourage them to say what we say.
What's Right with Using Christian Clichés?
God’s words are far better than catchy clichés. So let’s ensure we build our faith on what God says, not just what sounds nice.
Saying I hate hearing clichés is just that. It doesn't mean I hate people who use them. I hate hearing the clichés they say, especially when people say them to me.
Clichés do nothing for me.
They do not help me grow spiritually.
They do not comfort me or give me hope.
Needless to say, I do not use Christian clichés, and I confess I do not like hearing them
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