Vain

<<futile>>

The Bible warns, “Do not take the Lord’s name in vain” by using it disrespectfully or irreverently as a slang expression of profanity, nor live as the ungodly do, in their futile thinking (Ex 20:7; Eph 4:17). Such speech denies or empties God’s name of its significance. The Bible says if our worship of God is not sincere it is pointless and if we do not keep a tight control of our tongue our profession is empty, having no reality (Mt 15:9; Jas 1:26). “Faith without works is vain [pointless], as are works without faith” (Jas 2:20). Faith and works must complement each other.

The majority of the OT book of Ecclesiastes laments the emptiness of life in general, “Nothing is worthwhile, all is vain” unless God is honoured and His commandments kept (Job 7:3; Ps 39:5,6, 94:11; Eccl 1:2,14, 12:13; Rom 1:21). Rather than being overly concerned about the affairs of this life have an eternal perspective and work for the Kingdom of God (Mt 6:19-21,31-33; 1 Cor 15:58).

The Bible counsels us not to leave God out of anything we do – without Him our efforts are ineffective “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain” (Ps 127:1). We need the Lord’s direct involvement in our lives otherwise our efforts of human ingenuity and strenuous effort are not of eternal worth (Zech 4:6). While must actively do our part, it is God who brings about the real success – the blessing of increase (1 Cor 3:5-7). We have the responsibility to cooperate in His plans. We are to hear and put into practice the Word of God, not leaving Him out of the process of building something that will last (Mt 7:24-27).

Following any other god is useless as Jesus is the only way to heaven – any other route is a deception of Satan (Ex 20:3; 1 Sam 12:21; Jn 14:6; Act 4:12). Elsewhere the Bible records, “They followed worthless, vain idols and themselves became vain”, steadily taking on the qualities of what they worshipped (2 Kgs 17:15; Ps 115:8; Jer 2:5).

Jesus said, “When you pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking” (Mt 6:7). This outward show of religion is similar to what God said, “These people come near to me with their mouth and honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me” (Isa 29:13). The vain repetitions are lifeless flowery expressions that just increase the word count to impress others. Rather we are to be “always praying and not give up” which means being persistent about ‘stubborn’ issues as we express our inner longings to God in genuine connection (Lk 18:1-8; 2 Cor 12:8). The value of our prayers is not on their length or eloquence but the genuine heart cry they reflect.

The short, simple prayer of Elijah on Mt Carmel was effective because it was prayed in earnest to the living Lord God Almighty as opposed to the prolonged, repetitious and futile prayers of the 450 prophets of Baal to their impotent god (1 Kgs 18:25-39).