The quicksand of reason

Apr 29, 2026

Turn from Vain Things

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“Men, why are you doing these things? We too are men, with human natures just like you! We are proclaiming the good news to you, so that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and everything that is in them.

Acts 14:15 (NET)

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In the middle of their mission, Paul and Barnabus were preaching the Gospel at Lystra.

God was also doing miracles through them, such that the city believed they were gods walking amongst the people.

So they tried to worship Paul & Barnabus.

In an act of humble faith, they rejected the worship and pointed the people to the one true God.

I suspect this was as much a test of their faith as it was miraculous works for the city.

Many people have failed to give God proper glory in the past -- Paul & Barnabus were in danger of that mistake too.

Yet they turned away from the vanity of pride and pointed to God.

Beyond a message of salvation, it’s good for us to think about turning away from vain things too.

So much of my time can easily be swallowed up by mundane, worthless things.

I’ve wasted hours of my life relaxing in front of the television. Not that resting is a bad thing, but how much of it do I actually need?

Not as much as I want.

For me, it’s often a vain thing.

But it’s not enough to just turn away from something -- I must pursue God as well.

Otherwise, I’m liable to turn to a different vain thing, which defeats the purpose.

I bet there’s a vain thing you’re thinking about right now.

If so, how can you turn away from it today and pursue God?

— Ricky Ketchum

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV®Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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