25 Cliché Christian Sayings

It may be painful to admit that we use Christian cliché sayings and phrases, but the first step of getting help is admitting we have a problem.

The Pervasiveness of Christian Clichés

Clichés abound in Christian culture. Take this story, for example; the host of a Christian radio station was interviewing a young woman. She was a brand new believer, and the joyous enthusiasm she felt was bubbling up in her voice as she spoke of the profound changes happening inside her. She was experiencing God and relating to him for the first time in her life.

However, like a stranger in a foreign land, she struggled to find the appropriate words to express what was overflowing from her heart. The announcer asked, "So, you were born again?"

Hesitantly, the young woman responded, "Um, yeah."

Hoping to hear a less tentative response, the interviewer pressed on, "You received Jesus into your life, then? You were saved?"

There was no doubt that she was overflowing with the Spirit's joy and newness of life in Christ, but the announcer's questions and insistence on "proper" phraseology were dampening her joy. His reliance on cliché terms could have made her begin to doubt her salvation.

Let's face it, we Christians are guilty as sin of cliché abuse. One way to combat this pervasive flaw is to have fun at our own expense by exploring the clichés that Christians say.

Common Clichés

1. Christians say, "I asked Jesus into my heart," "I was born again," or "I was saved," or else we probably were not.
2. Christians don't say hello, we "greet one another with a hug and a holy kiss."
3. When Christians say goodbye, we declare, "Have a Jesus-filled day!"
4. To a complete stranger, a "good Christian" won't hesitate to announce, "Jesus loves you, and so do I!"
5. Whether affectionately or with pity, you may never be sure, Christians often say, "Bless your heart," which is always pronounced with thick southern sweetness. Go ahead and say it again. You know you want to: "Bless your heart."
6. For grins or groans, now throw this in: "God works in mysterious ways his wonders to perform." (But, you know, that's not in the Bible, right?)
7. When the pastor preaches a powerful message and the choir's songs are especially pleasing to the ear, Christians exclaim at the close of the service, "We had church!"
8. Wait just a minute. We don't say, "The pastor preached a powerful message." No, Christians say, "The pastor was Holy Ghost-filled and the Word of the Lord was anointed."
9. Christians don't have good days, we "get the victory!" And a great day is a "mountaintop experience." Can someone say "Amen?"
10. Christians don't have bad days, either! No, we're "under attack from the devil, as Satan roams like a roaring lion to destroy us."
11. Christians don't ever say, "Have a good day!" We say, "Have a blessed day."
12. Christians don't have parties, we have "fellowship" and dinner parties are "pot blessings."
13. Christian don't get depressed; we have "a spirit of heaviness."
14. An enthusiastic Christian is "on fire for God!"
15. Christians don't have discussions, we "share."
16. Similarly, Christians don't gossip, we "share prayer requests."
17. Christians don't tell stories, we "give a testimony" or a "praise report."
18. When a Christian does not know how to respond to someone who is hurting, we utter, "Well, I'll be praying for you." After that comes, "God is in control." Next, we say, "All things work together for good." Should I keep 'em coming? "If God closes a door, he'll open a window," and another favorite: "God allows everything for a purpose."
19. Christians don't make decisions, we are "led by the Spirit."
20. Christians RSVP with phrases such as, "I'll be there if it's God's will," or "Lord willing and the creek don't rise."
21. When a Christian makes a mistake, we say, "I'm forgiven, not perfect."
22. Christians know that a really terrible lie is "belched from the pit of hell."
23. Christians don't insult or say rude things to a brother or sister in the Lord. No, we "speak the truth in love." However, if someone should mistakenly feel judged or rebuked, we say, "Hey, I'm just keepin' it real."
24. If a Christian meets someone who is stressed or anxious, we know they simply need to "let go and let God."
25. Last but not least, Christians don't die, we "go home to the be with the Lord."

See Yourself Through the Eyes of Another

To our brothers and sisters in Christ, we hope this list has not offended you and that you've understood the tongue-in-cheek, not-so-subtly sarcastic tone was used for teaching purposes.

Sometimes there are no appropriate words, and we simply need to listen, to be there with a quiet hug or a caring shoulder. So why do we turn to empty, tired out phrases instead? Why do we have to have an answer or a formula? As followers of Christ, if we truly want to connect with people, we must be genuine and express ourselves with authenticity.

Many of the cliché examples listed above are truths found in God's Word. Yet, if someone is hurting, that person's pain needs to be acknowledged. To see Jesus in us, people need to see that we are real and that we care.