Expert: Phillip Senn - 6/10/2007

Question
I am constantly around people who use God's name in vain in horrible ways and it really bothers me. I find it gets stuck in my head and when I am thinking about God or Jesus it comes in toi my thoughts. I have tried to get rid of it as it really bothers me but it won't go away which deeply distresses me. I feel it will never go away. Is this a sin? I do not want it there and it really destroys my joy.
Is this the same as swearing at God?

Answer
Walter,

Satan uses many ploys to gain control of the mind. The issues you are facing are common among all of mankind. We have been called upon to think on things that are pure, wholesome, honorable, etc. It is very easy to be distracted by the things of the world, as well as being distracted by the talk of other individuals.

While Satan is very tricky, we are not ignorant of his devices. God has already dealt him the blow that will ultimately end in his defeat. The victory is already ours. But until the time that he comes to receive us to himself, we will face these trials. Scripture indicates that these trials are here to strengthen us, as well as to show us that we must trust more fully in God and His Son, Jesus Christ. Faith is simply taking God at His Word.

Each and everyone of us stumble and fall. When we do, that is sin. As Paul wrote, we do the things that we hate, we think thoughts that aren't wholesome, etc. But thanks be to God who giveth us the victory through Christ Jesus our Lord. Notice it says, He gives us the victory. We don't earn it. Aren't you glad that the victory is a gift, rather than something earned? I know I am.

Know this, that the trying of your faith is precious. It makes you stronger. For as you are faced with the trials, God shows that you can draw closer to Him, and find the strength and comfort that you need.

Rejoice, not because you are obeying God, but rejoice that Christ Jesus obeyed perfectly the Lord God on your behalf, and then suffered for your sins, that you might have Eternal Life.

Our joy, our peace, our life should always center around the cross. Not around our performance. When we look to find those things in our performance, we can never be happy. But when it is based solely on His finished work at Calvary, we can know that we have the victory, and we can "rejoice always, and again I say rejoice". His resurrection from the dead is our hope.

With Love In Christ,
Phillip Senn