IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD
DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR TODAY, OCTOBER 28, 2013
LYING VANITIES
They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy. Jonah 2:8
Lying vanities have a way of attracting us and distracting us from the will and purpose, power and glory of God. The lying vanity comes and says, "follow me." It may be a program that is in church but has nothing to do with Christ, but is appealing to the flesh. It could be someone promoting worldliness in your prayer group or bible study. When the prayer group, or the bible group, or the pastors' group gets mingled with carnal pursuits so that it has a mixed essence, this becomes a lying vanity. And when the people of God have no salt in themselves, when they are good for nothing, when they have no word of salvation to offer and no hope or power to share, when the church is as fearful and shaky as the world, this is a lying vanity.
A lying vanity can also be an insincere show of worship or prayer as stated in the scripture: "And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward" (Matthew 6:5). And again in Matthew's gospel we see a warning against the lying vanity demonstrated in giving: "Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 6:1).
When we ignore the needs of those around us we are lying vanities. Especially if you pretend not to see a need when God has made it obvious. The Holy Spirit wants to move upon our hearts, leading us to compassion and a demonstration of love for those around us.
We forsake the portion that God has prepared for us when we consider, observe and spend our time with lying vanities. We are to be about our Father's business and turn from these foolish forays into vain pursuits.
