Five Christian Cliches to Avoid

I was pretty amazed by the popularity of the first lists of Christian clichés I created. I think it was because so many Christians saw themselves somewhere in the list and others (maybe even some Christians!) have been on the receiving end of these clichés and resonated with my frustration in hearing them pretty much my entire life.

Since that initial series ran, I’ve been thinking about other things Christians often say that tend to do more harm than good. So here are a few more to add to the list.

Bless his/her heart: This usually follows one of two less-than-Christian kinds of statements. Either it’s said after some kind of thinly veiled insult or after a juicy bit of gossip about the person whose heart you want to be “blessed.” Examples include, “Did you hear Nancy’s husband got caught sleeping with his secretary? Bless her heart,” or, “He’s not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed, bless his heart.”

If you’re from the south, you definitely know what I’m talking about.

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Evermyrtle

I am from the deep South. I can answer for only myself, but and I have said "Bless her /His heart many times. Anytime I say that, I am very touched by the one that has been hurt and even though they are not around I would like t put my arms around the hurt one and say, "I love you", hoping to make a little of the hurt go away.."
- fliteking
  
  Seems the article is by the shiny new "liberal" Christians.
BlueViolets

I had always assumed that "Bless your/his or her heart" meant that you were asking for healing from God.
- Evermyrtle
  
  You must not be form the South!!
  - BlueViolets
    
    Right you are. Born and bred Northerner. The tie that binds is that we are all Americans. God bless.
    - Evermyrtle
      
      GOD BLESS and BLESS HER HEAR HEART are two completely different phrases.
      - BlueViolets
        
        Yes, I realize that and the 'God bless' was meant for all readers with the intention that I am requesting God to bless them. Being from the North I don't understand the implications of 'Bless her or his heart' and had only stated what I thought the intention was. I was obviously incorrect.
      - Evermyrtle
        
        Sooo, ? Who is it that never makes a mistake?? I don't think I want to be around one who never makes a mistake, a pain in the butt, likely!!
      - BlueViolets
        
        I'm always making mistakes but I would really like to know the implications of 'Bless her or his heart'. No such thing as a dumb question you know only a dumb answer which I am sure I will not receive from you Evermyrtle.
      - patsy1715
        
        My understanding is that Bless her (you) or God Bless you was shortened from the former saying of "God's Blessings on you'. Peolpe said it when one was leaving another person. Similiar to todays 'politicaly correct' "have a nice day"..
Victor

So where are the other Four Clitches?
- JeannieC
  
  just under the article under all the "share" stuff it says "continue reading at…" has a link :-)
Victor

being from the south, I heard that first one all my life. I have just recently started asking God to Bless all those who would attack mee or want to do me harm or just be Nasty to me.
Holly Southworth

Something I notice a lot of Christians are saying lately is "God is good all the time, all the time God is good". This is so true in it's deepest form but I feel like it has become a cliche. People say it as if it were a lucky charm that would bring God's blessing. Another one in regard to God's sovereignty is "God looked down the corridor of time………" as if God is some kind of fortune teller. It just bothers me and in my opinion cheapens God's name.