Should I Say This? 3 Buzz Phrases For Believers to Reconsider

I talk a lot.

I mean, a whole lot.

A person once asked me at around 8 a.m on a warm Monday morning, "Do you always wake up like this?" (they meant "this chatty" mainly because they are the kind of people that want to confirm that they can actually breathe before they start talking :D)

Now, because I enjoy a good chat, I often find myself saying many things. Sometimes I bump into a lie here, an exaggeration there or a negative confession somewhere in between. I am thankful that the Holy Spirit catches me up in good time and I repent quickly but could we talk just a little bit about how catchy buzz phrases are and how quickly we indulge them into our daily conversations and thinking habits?

What is a Buzz Phrase?

This basically is a verbal expression that has quickly (in recent time) become so popular that it instinctively embeds itself into day-to-day word usage. Think of times when something caught on really quickly and everyone was talking about it. Like how "Gangnam Style" blew the internet up and everyone was singing the it song and dancing to it. Yeah, now in phrase form.

The Things We Say Matter

This verse has been abused by many prosperity preachers and its exegesis has been wanting, but allow me to indulge you: "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." (Prov 18:21; NKJV)

Whatever is given mention in scripture means something. Even the "Jesus Wept" verse means something. God is a being of efficiency. He does not waste words. My point is, your words matter. So much so that the book of James dedicates very many words that describe the tongue as a small but very powerful organ that can change the course of your life! No, think about it.

That being said, would we not rather dedicate our tongues and words to the things and concerns of God? Would it not be more prudent as believers if we only spoke things that would glorify God and edify each other? Kind of like 1 Cor 10:31.

Enough Said (See? I talk too much)

Let's pick just 3 buzz phrases and reflect on them, shall we?

1. My life, my rules

I pinched very many nerves. I can feel the radiculopathy! (Med joke, sorry)

Where does this phrase come from? Probably from an individual who has faced rejection or disapproval for the things or beliefs they feel matter to them. They may desire to feel seen or heard and that innate need is not being met. So the most natural thing to do is to rebel. A voice goes, "Do your thing, live by your rules! They make sense to you and to those who share your beliefs." You feel happy. But are you, truly?

Perhaps a second group of people is those who have no negative motivation to say this. They just think differently about life. Square pegs in round holes. Different is good, but they know that it may come with carving out unique paths that many may not take.

But what does God say? God created us and thought that we were good! He then gave man dominion over creation and pretty much chilled with Adam and Eve and they had a great time in communion (then the devil came in. Personally, I don't fancy his ways of expressing F.O.M.O). In my interpretation of Genesis 3, I see God's heart break because of both the sin of eating the forbidden fruit and the blatant disobedience and disrespect for the command to just not eat the fruit. Perhaps it was the thought that man had consciously decided to carve out their own path without him that broke His heart the most because He genuinely had great plans for man within the confines of obedience. To be honest, the root of most of our sins lies in either "Did God really say", "I can do what God can do", "Is God really good?" or all three at once. "My life, my rules" can easily sink into the aforementioned patterns of thought. Eve and Adam were offered independence and this autonomy came at a costly price.

Allow me this break to sip tea because the temperatures may be cool at this time

God made us and carved out our entire lives. He genuinely loves hanging out with us and seeing us live life with Him by our side. A life of independence therefore is inspired by darkness and it is akin to cutting yourself off from a vibrant life source. ("I am the vine and you are the branches...How can you bear any fruit without me?"-Jesus)

As believers, we live by the loving guidance of our Father in Heaven. It seems foolish to the world but that makes sense because the flesh is in constant enmity with the Spirit. Beloved, we have been bought at a price (the blood of Jesus) and therefore we are to honor God with our lives.

Jer 10:23 (AMP): "O LORD, I know that the path of [life of] a man is not in himself; It is not within [the limited ability of] man [even one at his best] to choose and direct his steps [in life]."

2. God Helps Those Who Help Themselves

I grew up knowing this was a Bible verse because of so many people saying, "You know even the Bible says that God helps those who help themselves..." I am older now and I am still looking for this verse. It does not exist, friends.

I really think this one woke up and found people waiting for it to abuse it dry :D

When we look at the nature of God, is this phrase true? Is it true that God is only available to those who are dependent on their strength and resources (therefore helping themselves)? What of those who have no justifiable means to help themselves? Does God assign them to a wait-list? Are we called to help ourselves or are we made to be beneficiaries of the help accorded to us by the death of Christ on the cross?

Sure, you must be diligent and avoid laziness. You ought to be ready to work with your own hands (2 Thes 3:6-10) and not be a burden to others (this is not inclusive of debilitating illness or financial crisis or any other thing that justifiably denies you the ability to fend for yourself or family). But what does this "help" mean and is it in line with the nature of God according to scripture?

3. Try Jesus, not me ('cause I throw hands)

This one is funny and I have used it before (then the Holy Spirit checked me), L.O.L.

It traces its roots in African American humor and suggests that if in anyway a person tries to threaten or invoke the anger of a believer, they would not face the same mercy that Christ offers. They may in fact receive some instantaneous whooping.

Friend, even though it is in jest, is it really what a Bible believing, sanctified and Holy Spirit filled person should be releasing from their powerful tongue? That Jesus has the mercy to forgive you when you offend Him, but not I?

we sip tea again

This phrase gives room for the carnal expressions of anger and mercilessness to be frank.

It absolves you from the responsibility of self-control (a fruit of the Holy Spirit) and it allows you to let out the anger that causes you to sin. see Eph 4:26: "BE ANGRY [at sin—at immorality, at injustice, at ungodly behavior], YET DO NOT SIN; do not let your anger [cause you shame, nor allow it to] last until the sun goes down."

It denies you the opportunity to run to God at the first sight of offense and yield your emotions to Him first before taking action.

I could go on (with this streak of violence), but I will stop here. There are some phrases that need an entire blog post all on their own and I feel right doing just that very soon.

Tell me what you think in the comments below, friends.

As always, I value you greatly and thanks for stopping by!