The Next Time Someone Says “Jesus Christ,” Don’t Condemn Them—Educate Them
I have a new friend, we’ll call him Dave. He’s a great guy, has an amazing laugh, and he’s charismatic and expressive. The thing is, when Dave’s upset or amazed, he often says, “Jesus Christ!”
One day, after the third time he said it in the same conversation, I finally asked him, “Do you know why you keep saying that?”
I asked him out of genuine curiosity—not to be a dick. Knowing that I’m a Christian, I think he assumed I was offended, because his shoulders went up to his ears and he put on an eek face like he’d accidentally stepped on a mouse. He apologized, but I told him he didn’t have to, and asked him again: “Do you know why you use that name?”
Do you?
It’s odd, isn’t it—to use someone’s name like that? To call it out. Jesus is His name, and He is the Christ—the Messiah. So, technically, we’re saying something like “Jesus, Messiah.” We don’t say, “Michael Jordan, Basketball Star!” Yet somehow, “Jesus Christ” has become one of the most common exclamations in the English language. And I think there’s something worth considering about that.
I used to say “Jesus Christ” when I was telling someone who my God is—what His name is. I said that name when I prayed, when I quoted Scripture, when I worshiped Him, and when I sang in church. But when I used His name as an expression of anger, frustration, surprise, or shock, it felt wrong. Why?
Because there is power in that name. Scripture tells us that the name of Jesus is not merely a label.
“Therefore, God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name.” —Philippians 2:9
“There is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.” —Acts 4:12
Jesus Himself tells us that when we ask in His name, we are approaching the Father through Him (John 16:23–24).
In my life, I can count five specific instances when I thought I was going to die. One involved a motorcycle. Two involved cars. And two involved rock climbing. You’re probably thinking, “This guy’s an idiot, or at least he needs some new hobbies.” You’d be right on both counts.
The rock-climbing one is the easiest to remember… and probably least embarrassing. In college, I worked at an indoor rock-climbing gym. Since there aren’t exactly a lot of natural rock formations in Illinois, the gym was built into a labyrinth of repurposed grain silos that stretched about 65 feet above a concrete floor. I was trying to impress a girl—that should tell you everything you need to know—and when I made it to the top of a very technical and difficult climb, I shouted the signal, “TAKE!”
That meant she was supposed to secure the rope and prepare to lower me. The problem was that my dumbass hadn’t shown her how to do that. So when I leaned back, expecting the rope to catch me and hold me against the wall, it didn’t, and I fell.
As I was falling and realizing that she did not have control of the rope, I remember thinking one thing: JESUS.
I called out to Him.
There wasn’t enough time to be afraid—it was a thought. My only thought.
I free-fell more than 50 feet before she somehow caught me about ten feet above the concrete floor. I don’t know whether I would have died, maybe I would have just broken every bone in my body. But when I called that name, I know where I turned. And that same name has been on my lips in the other moments when I thought I was going to die—and probably in countless other moments when I didn't even realize I needed saving.
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” —Romans 10:13
That verse is ultimately about salvation through Christ, but the principle behind it is one I have come to understand personally: when we turn toward Jesus, we are turning toward the One who saves.
I obviously still use Christ’s name when I pray and when I talk about who God is, but now I also use His name because I believe there is power in it. I call on Jesus when I need wisdom and discernment. When I need protection, provision, comfort, and strength. I call his name when I’m afraid. Or when I’m lying in bed and despair for the world and my life grows in me and it’s keeping me awake.
Scripture repeatedly tells us to call upon the Lord.
“Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you.” —Psalm 50:15
“Call to me and I will answer you.” —Jeremiah 33:3
And Paul reminds us that the peace of God is available to us when we bring our anxieties to Him in prayer (Philippians 4:6–7).
There is something beautiful about knowing that I don't have to face any of those things alone. I can call on Jesus. And when I do, I am not calling into the void. I am calling on the Lord of the universe… and I know He hears me. Every time. All the time. No matter where I am.
Jesus Himself says that He could call on the Father and have more than twelve legions of angels at His disposal (Matthew 26:53). I do believe that the God who commands armies of angels is the God whose name I am calling upon. And that gives me courage and peace, and it reminds me who is actually in control.
So what should we do when someone says it? Here's where I think Christians sometimes get this wrong.
Someone says, “Jesus Christ!” and we immediately condemn them. Don't take the Lord's name in vain. How dare you use Jesus' name like that. You shouldn't talk that way.
But what if the next time someone says, “Jesus Christ!” you simply asked: “Do you know why you’re calling that name?”
Don’t ask sarcastically, self-righteously, and not as a gotcha. Just ask. Maybe they’ve been saying it their entire life without ever stopping to think about what they’re actually saying.
Then tell them. Jesus isn’t a swear word. His name means something. His name is powerful. And they can call on Him, and he will save them.
So instead of condemning or thinking poorly of people who say “Jesus Christ” in an inappropriate manner, use the opportunity to tell them about Jesus. Because maybe—just maybe—they’ve been calling His name their whole life without realizing He’s been calling to them.
