I was thinking this morning (sorry, I'm only developing the thought this lunch time, it originated closer to breakfast time). It seems to be me that you can divide everything into 3 categories: good, bad and vain. The word vain means "empty" or "worth-less." So, things are either Good, or they are bad, or they are empty. I was thinking that music could fall into this category: Music can be good (FYI: this is the Predicate use of the adjective), if it is glorifying God. Music can be bad, if it is promoting sin or a false view of God. Music can be empty - "you're a grand ol' flag," etc. Is it wrong to listen to Vain (this here would be the Attributive use of the adjective) music? No, I don't think so, but it is vain - just like it is vain to watch sports or TV programs and movies or to get your feet pedicured...
Now, whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all for the glory of God. The thing that you have to ask yourself is can you do whatever vain thing it is, to give God glory? Can you listen to vain music, watch vain TV, get vain pedicures and give God glory in it? Apparently, you can eat and drink for God's glory...
Just a thought.
6 comments:
That is the most disgusting picture you've ever put on your site! That's why you wear socks! I don't want to see your feet Andy!Seriously get a pedicure...at this stage it's not vain...it's good!
gonna try to keep this brief
Luk 10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
Luk 10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
Luk 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
READ THE NEXT STATEMENT CAREFULLY -I am overloaded and constantly going about doing vain things. I HAVE MANY VAIN ACTIVITIES IN MY LIFE - interpretation - by making the following statement I am only offering an indictment of myself
I cant see how God could get glory from vain TV watching and like entertainment although in todays age of comparing with the standard of the culture we find our justification for many things. There is profit in news (to be aware of the times when speaking to people - understanding the times), we can reason that there is profit in sports for exercise (profiteth little), building friendships(hopefully not enemies :) and on occasion watching sports if it is used as a tool for lets say family bonding or teaching kids teamwork etc.
My point for the verses above is that if Jesus was reproving Martha for MUCH SERVING (we all agree that service is much more profitable than these vain activities) rather than what was most profitable then what could He possibly think of things that serve no purpose for the improving of self, worship of God or service and influence of others toward God?
Christian Quote of the Day for today
Fallacies do not cease to be fallacies because they become fashions.
Gilbert Keith G. K. Chesterton
I thought that Daily Christian Quote should have been repeated somewhere!
I wrote my article maybe a little, "soft" because I needed to be careful. I agree with, "I can't see how God could get glory from vain TV." But at the same time, I could easily say, in error, "I can't see how God could get glory from someone eating or drinking something." But we are supposed to give Him glory in eating and drinking... That being the case, if someone can watch TV for the glory of God, I want to be careful not to condemn them. (Aaron, you gave some examples of when watching TV could be used for the glory of God.)
You can't find pleasure in sin for the glory fo God - and if that's what is happening while you're watching TV, then it's wrong. If you not only do the same, but find pleasure in them that do them - it's just as bad.
my examples of where there may be some profit (news etc) is then arguing that those programs (or sports for exercise etc) are not vain in those situations.
Is there a way that it can profit (within biblical guidelines or precedent)?
Am i involved in this activity for that purpose?
Is there something more profitable I should be doing instead? (probably the most important question - relating back to Mary and Martha)
I would think those are good qualifying questions.
News - profitable perhaps
American Idolatry - sin
sporting event or maybe fireworks (both of which I enjoy tremendously) - probably vain
I dont want to speak for God and make conclusive statements either of course.
We know that God made us with a mouth and the need for food and drink. That is why eating and drinking have to be fixed in that statement - we have no choice in the matter (1 Cor. 10:31) - if He made us with that need then He made us with a way to bring Him glory in fulfilling that need - not that I fully understand how to do that - or ever accomplish it (dont remind me - strength, not drunkenness).
What God didnt do was connect a 27inch screen in front of my eyes at birth :) so the "whatsoever we do" part requires us choose to do the right things based on discernment gained from His word. Reading the Bible (for example) always would win over vain things - am I correct?
Appreciate these blogs tremendously - they make me think - someday I may get better at it
no disagreements...
Bible over 'vain' things - of course.
If the 'vain' things (you mention sports and fireworks) are being used for vain purposes, then they are not for the glory of God and it would be disobedient to 1 Cor. 10:31 to participate. If the 'vain' things are being used for the purpose of giving God glory (like, bringing in thousands of lost people to see fireworks and hear a presentaiton of the gospel [regardless of how short it was]) then my answer becomes: There is a time for everything. There is a time to read the Bible and a time to show fireworks...
But if the purpose for the fireworks is because it gets your flesh all riled up... vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher.
agreed, end o' discussion!
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