God or god? You, you, thou, or Thou?
We live as Dutch people in Germany and notice every day how important language is in expressing respect. In Germany, people use “Sie” for those you don’t know well and “du” only when you explicitly give permission. It’s polite, but it’s also about recognizing the other person:
“Dürfen wir uns duzen?” – “May we address each other with ‘du’?”
Those who say “du” too quickly unintentionally diminish someone, and in this country, that is culturally unacceptable.
Learned in my upbringing
In my own upbringing in the Netherlands, it was exactly the same. If I addressed my parents with “jij” (informal “you”), there was a problem. My parents are “u” (formal “you”). Now that I’m older, I sometimes take the liberty to say “jij,” but most of the time it’s still “u,” because the informal form still feels strange. They are your parents, and you show respect. The same applies to grandparents or the older neighbor. It’s all a matter of respect.
This habit, this awareness of language and hierarchy, helps us understand why we should not address God informally. Just as you do not casually call a parent or respected person by “du,” so we address God with reverence.
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.” (Matthew 6:9)
Even a pastor speaks informally sometimes
That’s why it really stood out to me recently in a church in Germany: a pastor, accustomed to respecting the rules of “Du” and “Sie,” suddenly addressed God informally in prayer. He said:
“God, will you help us with …”
(German: “Gott, willst du uns helfen mit …”)
Here, in a culture where the greatest sign of respect is not to address someone informally, God was suddenly a “du.” This example shows how easily we can diminish the majesty of God without realizing it. If a preacher, someone who speaks daily about God, speaks so informally about Him, how much less do we pay attention?
Capital letters make a difference
In our online communication, for example in chats or email, I often see “god” written in lowercase. When I see that, a red flag goes up for me: What does this person believe? Are they referring to the true Holy God, or to a diminished image of God, like a little friend or magical figure?
In 99% of cases, that perception is correct: the image of God is wrong. Often, it concerns clients from churches that preach prosperity gospel or the New Apostolic Reformation, with all the consequences.
When someone writes “God” with a capital G, their view of God is usually correct; you notice it in conversation and how they truly relate to God. Capitalization is therefore not just a matter of style but a sign of respect and a correct understanding of God.
“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.” (Exodus 20:7)
“He has confirmed His covenant forever; holy and awesome is His name.” (Psalm 111:9)
God is not a friend by human measure
God is not a friend by human measure. By that, we mean someone who fully adjusts to our wishes, faults, or moods; a friend who is casual, informal, and undemanding. God is different: He is Perfect, Almighty, and Holy. Isaiah writes:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory.” (Isaiah 6:3)
“I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.” (Isaiah 42:8)
He is not a buddy we can approach informally or shrink to a friend. If we treat Him as one of us, we do His majesty a disservice.
Formal ‘You’ is the right respect
In Dutch, “U” is more than a polite form; it expresses reverence. And reverence is exactly what God deserves. The psalmist says:
“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops.” (Psalm 3:9)
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.” (Hebrews 12:28)
Applying this to speaking about God, we understand that even our language must be holy. Not “Daddy God” or “you god,” but Father God, Creator, King.
How language shapes our hearts
Our words shape our thinking. If we speak about God as if He were one of us, He loses His majesty in our hearts. If we speak with reverence, using formal “You” and correct capitalization, our awareness of His holiness grows. John writes:
“This is love: that we walk according to His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:3)
“As He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct; because it is written: Be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16)
“I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercy of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” (Romans 12:1)
Practical application
- Always write “God” with a capital G. This is a small sign of great respect and a correct image of God.
- Use the formal “You” in prayer or reflection. This helps anchor your attitude of reverence.
- Avoid diminutives. God is not “daddy god” or “your buddy”; He is Father, Lord, and King.
- If you notice you are speaking informally about God, reflect: do I see God as He truly is – holy and almighty – or am I shrinking Him to something that fits my human comfort zone?
Final thought
Holiness begins with recognizing who God truly is. Even if a pastor speaks informally about God, we may learn to approach Him with reverence and majesty. Just as we learn in Germany not to address a complete stranger informally, and as I learned in my upbringing to speak respectfully to parents and elders, we recognize God’s majesty by approaching Him with respect. Let us use our words to glorify God, not diminish Him. For He is God – and we are human.
