The Case Against Quoting Christian Clichés

Today, there are many Christian clichés. More and more people are saying Christian clichés to appear more spiritual. However, clichés have no power.

Cliché: Definition

A cliché is a repeated phrase used by some to get others' attention and to impress them.

Usually, a cliché becomes so overused that it loses its original meaning. At an earlier time, it might have been meaningful. Then, when it becomes overused, it is irritating to hear.

What Are Christian Clichés?

Christian clichés are sayings that disciples of Christ say to other disciples of Christ. Once they find a cliché they like, they say it over and over until it loses its meaning.

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 start 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 powerless.
• 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 those who repeat 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.

Overused Clichés 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 that cliché is true, but it is not that way in the Bible. The speakers have taken just part of more than one scripture and strung them together to say to itching ears.

In the King James Version, the phrase "God is good" appears in both the Old Testament and 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 say, "God is good" rather than 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. According to John 8:44, "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him."
• "I plead the blood of Jesus." Jesus shed His blood once and for all. He will never do it again, no matter how many 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. I cringe every time I hear it. READ My Case Against Saying: "I Love You More."

• "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." The Bible NEVER tells us to "Take care." Ryan Seacrest, host of "Wheel of Fortune," goes even further. At the end of the game show, he tells contestants, "Take good care."

What's Wrong with Quoting Christian Clichés?

There are so many powerful words in the Bible that could be used instead of powerless clichés.

Some Christian clichés might have an element of truth, but they are not helpful. They might sound spiritual, but they are powerless. What people hear should help them grow spiritually. No one grows from hearing or saying 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 risk crippling others by encouraging them to say what we say.

What's Right with Using Christian Clichés?

God’s words are far more than catchy clichés. So let’s ensure we build our faith on what God says, not just on what sounds cute.

• Clichés do nothing for me, except make me cringe.
• They do not help me grow spiritually.
• They do not comfort me or give me hope.
• When I am lying awake at night being troubled over something, a cliché is the last thing I want to hear.