Home | Truth Index

God's Checklist For Vanity

"Of all our infirmities, vanity is the dearest to us; a man will starve his other vices to keep that alive." - Benjamin Franklin

How would you define vanity?

We are all familiar with the expression - "Oh! He or she is so vain." Is that a compliment or an insult?

Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary defines vanity as such - "something that is vain, empty, or valueless; the quality or fact of being vain; inflated pride in oneself or one's appearance; conceit."

It also goes on to define vain as - "having no real value; idle, worthless; marked by futility or ineffectiveness; unsuccessful, useless; foolish, silly; having or showing undue or excessive pride in one's appearance or achievements."

Thomas Manton, an old-time preacher of the Gospel, made these comments concerning vanity - "A vain mind is as bad, and as odious to God, as a vicious life."
"It is hard to carry a full cup without spilling, and not to lift up ourselves when we are raised up by God." (from More Gathered Gold - A Treasury Of Quotations For Christians)

Are we getting the picture?

Can we see that vanity pertains to that which is empty, valueless, idle, meaningless, or worthless in our lives? It is that which is ineffective, unsuccessful, futile, and useless in our walk with the Lord. It is that which is foolish or silly.

And what can be more worthless than when Self is exalted or is operating in us?

John 6:63 - The Scriptures instruct us that "...the flesh profiteth nothing..."
Hence, to be vain is to be so full of Self or to be motivated by the Flesh with all of our efforts amounting to nothing. It is to be falsely elated over our own accomplishments, achievements, talents, gifts, resources, or looks.

This is Vanity and, as Thomas Manton argues, it is odious to God.

John 3:30 - Is it any wonder that John the Baptist claimed - "He must increase, but I must decrease"?

Vanity in our lives is a stench in the nostrils of a Holy God. It brings no Glory to Him. On the contrary, it devalues and desecrates any work done in the name of the Lord.

It must be extracted from our hearts and minds if we ever plan on being mightily used by God.

The Lord desires excellence, effectiveness, value, success, and worth in us and in our Christian labor. These traits cannot be found as long as vanity lurks in our hearts.

How do we know if we are vain? What can we do to rid ourselves of this terrible vice?

The Scriptures give us a checklist for vanity to use as a plumbline against our lives. Together, let's examine the Word of God and see where we stand on this matter -

1. Our Thoughts

• Psalm 94:11 - "The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity."

• Jeremiah 4:14 - "O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?"

• Psalm 119:113 - "I hate vain thoughts: but Thy law do I love."

Man's thoughts are generally vain. Unless we keep a strict guard on them, we will find that our thoughts, even as Christians, are vain as well.

We need to ask ourselves - What kind of thoughts do we have throughout the day? Are they foolish, vain, or unwise? Do we entertain imaginations that are full of fear and unbelief, obsessed with the idols of this world, saturated with lust and perversion, or busy in sin? Does out thinking show forth a fickleness or inconsistency in our character or convictions?

The Prophet Jeremiah attributed the wickedness of the inhabitants of Jerusalem to their "vain thoughts." Their thoughts of iniquity and lust were the root of the corruption in their hearts. The people were defiled simply by what they allowed to flow through their minds.

We see from this example that we can detect where we are spiritually by the very thoughts that we feast on each and every day. Our thoughts are the definite indicator of how much of God we really and sincerely possess.

Since sin begins in the mind, it behooves us to keep a strict guard on our thoughts at all times. We cannot afford to be divided, driven here and there, or frivolous in our thinking. Our minds must exhibit a stability and firmness in adherence to the truth, refusing at all times to waver or vacillate in skepticism or unbelief.

There is no doubt about it! "Vain thoughts" are sinful & hurtful. They divert the mind from all that is good. They are the open door to greater evil. Consequently, they must be hated and dreaded at all costs.

2. Our Eyes

Psalm 119:37 - "Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken Thou me in Thy way."

"Turn away" actually means to make it pass. In other words, the Psalmist was praying that God would make anything vain, empty, or transitory - like the honors, pleasures, and amusements of this world - and everything else in between that would lead him astray from the Truth - to pass rapidly from his sight. He did not want to behold, contemplate, or dwell upon any vain object, lest he be enamored with it and be kept back from fulfilling his God-given duties.

He cried out for God's restraining grace here. At the same time, he made a covenant with his eyes that he would not allow them to feast upon any idols for he knew that they would only serve to deaden him in his spirit, slacken him in his race, and divert him from his final goal - Heaven.

God's grace would be his greatest prevention against beholding the vanities of this world.

How about you? How are you doing in your spiritual race? Have you allowed the vanities of this world to catch your view and divert you from your Calling or God's purpose for your life? Have you lost out spiritually because the devil dangled some glittering treasure before your eyes and you fell for it? Did the devil ensnare you with some idol - a certain person, object, or ambition - and now you find yourself dragging your feet spiritually?

Repent of any wrongdoing. Then cry out to God as the Psalmist did - "Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity..." Plead with Him to make to pass from your sight any worldly "glamor and glitter" that the enemy would seek to use against you.

He will quicken you and enable you by His Spirit and Life to walk in His ways.

3. Our Hearts

Proverbs 30:8 - "Remove far from me vanity and lies..."

In Psalm 51:6, David said of God - "Behold, Thou desirest truth in the inward parts..."

Therefore, Agur, the son of Jakeh, prayed that He would "remove" far from him "vanity and lies" - all hypocrisy and falsehoods. He never wanted to entertain vain expectations or false hopes. He did not want to set his affection on things that were transitory or unreal.

How do you handle the Truth about yourself when someone presents it to you? Do you easily and readily receive it? Do you run from it or toward it? Are you willing for God to reveal the true state of your heart? Is it your desire that all hypocrisy be removed from your life? Are you telling or living a lie? Are there any skeletons in your proverbial closet?

4. Our Souls

Psalm 24:4 - "...who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity..."

"Vanity" is oftentimes associated with idolatry. If we are not watchful, what generally occurs is that the "vain and false" slowly take the place of God in our hearts and lives. Our affections inordinately move toward the things of this world - wealth, pleasure, the praises of men, or sensual gratification. Something other than God becomes our portion. Our thoughts, emotions, and will become inclined toward that which is unsatisfying and uncertain.

We are either lifting up our souls to the Lord or someone else. If He does not have our hearts, minds, and souls; something else does.

The question we must ask is - What does control us? To whom are we giving our worship? To whom or what are our thoughts and emotions inclined in love and affection? If it is not solely and absolutely God, then we have an idol. We are guilty of lifting up our souls unto someone or something other than the One Who deserves all of our praise and worship - the Lord Jesus Christ.

5. Our Friends

Psalm 26:4 - "I have not sat with vain persons..."
Proverbs 12:11 - "...but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding."

"Vain persons" were those who were liars and hypocrites. They were not sincere and true. Because they lived lives filled with frivolity and jest - avoiding all business, diligence, and hard work - they became the slaves of other men.

Who are your closest companions? What kind of friends do you have? Are they truthful, faithful, and trustworthy? Or do they operate in deceit? Are they "fair weather" friends - given to change? Do they keep their word? Are they "balcony Christians" in that they are always pulling you up higher than you are? Or are they "basement Christians" who are constantly tearing you down from your place of excellency? Do they desire to see you succeed or fail in life?

A man by the name of Alexander Ross once stated - "Vanity is the fruit of ignorance." (from More Gathered Gold - A Treasury Of Quotations For Christians)

No one wants to be called ignorant so it would behoove us to petition the Lord to remove far from us any vanity in our souls, before our eyes, from our hearts, and in our lives as exemplified in our friendships.

It is odious to God and detrimental to our spiritual lives.
May we call it Sin, hate it with a Holy Hatred, and replace it, wherever needed, with God's Powerful Word.

Psalm 119:113 - "I hate vain thoughts: but Thy love do I love."

May God Bless His Word.
Connie

Home | Truth Index