Should a Christian use the phrase "Good Luck"? Is that a contridiction to the phrase "God Bless"?
From an earthly perspective, things may seem to happen at random, but throughout the whole of Scripture, it is clear God is in control of all His creation and is able to take the random acts of natural law, the free will of both good and evil people and the wicked intent of demons and combine them all to accomplish His good and perfect will (Genesis 50:20; Job chapters 1 and 42; John 9:1-7). Christians, specifically, are given the promise that God works all things, whether seemingly good or bad, together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
Spurgeon wrote the following on God’s control of all things:
"I believe that every particle of dust that dances in the sunbeam does not move an atom more or less than God wishes – that every particle of spray that dashes against the steamboat has its orbit, as well as the sun in the heavens – that the chaff from the hand of the winnower is steered as the stars in their courses. The creeping of an aphid over the rosebud is as much fixed as the march of the devastating pestilence – the fall of . . . leaves from a poplar is as fully ordained as the tumbling of an avalanche."
Because we do not have the curtains drawn back to see what is taking place in heaven, we cannot always determine whether God’s active or passive will is involved in the events of our lives, but we do know from Scripture that all things take place are under the umbrella of His will, whether active or passive, and, therefore, nothing is a matter of mere chance. So it is for any event of life; no matter how small (Matthew 10:29-31) or how large (Daniel 4:35; Proverbs 21:1), God is sovereign over all (Ephesians 1:11; Psalm 115:3; Isaiah 46:9-10), and thus nothing is merely the matter of chance.
Therefore, based on our understanding of Scripture, we recommend a Christian not use the phrase “good luck” but instead make it a practice to say “God bless you." Even when speaking to unbelievers, “God bless you” is much more significant and effective than the phrase “good luck”. Saying "God bless you" to a non-believer will embed that phrase in his mind and possibly open an opportunity to share the Gospel.
