Is it Wrong to Say "Bless You" and Similar Phrases?

Is it Wrong to Say 'Bless You' and Similar Phrases?

John:
A friend says, "Bless You" everytime anyone sneezes. I told her that it was started by the Catholics over some far-out belief during the Middle Ages. Is this not disrespectful to God to continually say this? Am I too critical?
-Ruby

Dear Ruby:
It is true that the custom of saying "Bless you" to the person who sneezes originated among Catholics in the Dark Ages as a superstition. I can see no harm in saying "Bless you" when a person sneezes. We do not do so because we hold to any superstition. Such expressions do not take God's name in vain. They promote no error. They can do no harm. They are a part of our daily conversation which is filled with similar words and expressions that are considered social niceties. I think of them as fillers that fill the gap when there is nothing serious to be said. There are literally hundreds of them. "Aw shucks" "Boy!" "Man!" "Beans!" "Well," "Cool," "Wow," "Oowe," "Whoa," "Ho (as a greeting)," "Go gittum." The heathen has his swear words and slang expressions to fill in the blank spots in his conversations. We who are Christians have ours which reflect our purity of speech (Col. 4:6), but also some aspects of our faith. Examples are, "Heavens, no!" "See you at the judgment," and, "Lord willing."

As I view life there are enough really bad things to object to and protest against so, I do not fret about things that are inconsequential. If folks perceive us as consumed with minute things of no consequence they will conclude that we are like the Pharisees who strained their beverage to be sure no unclean gnat was swallowed (Matt. 23:24).

Sincerely,

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