Within this year alone, many young adults have chosen to leave the Church. To some, it comes as no surprise. Some of those reasons may be due to simply losing faith or becoming involved in emerging, anti-Christian religions. However, some of the blame falls upon those who use Bible scriptures and Christian phrases out of context. In result, it has led many people away from the religion itself. Both, believers and unbelievers, are guilty of passing on false doctrine without realizing the damage it may be doing to those who are on the receiving end. Here is a list of damaging phrases that may be running millennials away from the Church.

Money is the root of all evil. 

It is problematic to state money as the root of all evil primarily because it is not true and scripture never implied that it was. The scripture (1 Timothy 6:10) never stated money as evil, but the love of money. When the scripture is repeated incorrectly, it spotlights currency as demonic. It also supports the belief that God wants us to be poor as evidence of being humble. Both claims are untrue. With the state of this nation and millennials' need to accumulate wealth, the phrase can easily create a wedge between the Church and those it targets.

Forgive and forget.

Aside from the phrase not being Biblical, it is also an issue under other circumstances. Of course, we should forgive but forgetting a wrongdoing is almost, if not absolutely, impossible. The phrase can surely be said with good intentions; however, it can still be received wrongly. When it is said at an inappropriate time, it becomes insensitive to the victim's issue at hand. It also forces premature healing and masking of a problem. If someone is offended by something that happened inside (or outside of) the Church, they should not be silenced or told to "forgive and forget". They should be allowed to heal at their appropriate pace. Healing and forgiveness are both processes that should not be rushed. Although "forgive and forget" is ideal, it is not realistic. When the place that is supposed to operate as a hospital does not provide healing, the patient is forced to look elsewhere for it.

Everything happens for a reason.

Many people waste no time regurgitating this during times of distress and despair without considering the effect that it may actually have on those who are suffering. Technically, there is a reason for everything; however, God is not always that reason. When someone's car breaks down, it is because they neglected to uphold its maintenance. If a drunk driver injures a victim, it is because the driver chose to become intoxicated and drive irresponsibly. Every reason is not divine. Even if it were, that would shift the blame for all things gone badly onto God creating a disconnect between Him and those experiencing pain. If one does believe that God is behind everything that happens, it would mean that God delights in abuse, homelessness, and death. It, then, causes the individual to look at God as someone who unapologetically taunts them.

Although done with good intentions, the need to give churchy lingo in the name of advice can be more harmful than helpful. To sharpen the delivery and tact of a message, it is important to question:

• Is the advice sound?
• Is this the appropriate time to say this?
• Is the message genuine?

Conscious and Christian,
Simultaneously.

* Comment other damaging cliches and phrases below.