Bible verses about
Vanity
“Vanity of vanities! All is vanity,” wise King Solomon laments as “the Preacher” in Ecclesiastes 1:2.
No matter what we do in this world — regardless of the awards we win, the money we make, the cars we drive, who our friends are, or the houses we live in, in the end, everything is selfish vanity if it’s not done to God’s glory. This is why Jesus advised us to “lay up… treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:20), rather than focusing only on vain endeavors here on earth.
Following my vain desires leads me away from God
2 Kings 17:14-15
Notwithstanding, they would not listen, but hardened their neck, like the neck of their fathers, who didn’t believe in the LORD their God. They rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified to them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and followed the nations that were around them, concerning whom the LORD had commanded them that they should not do like them.
Vanity is something from which I need deliverance
Romans 8:20-21
For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of decay into the liberty of the glory of the children of God.
God cares nothing for the things that fuel humanity’s vanity and pride
Isaiah 40:17
All the nations are like nothing before him. They are regarded by him as less than nothing, and vanity.
Teaching my own vision instead of the LORD’s is vanity
Jeremiah 23:16
The LORD of Hosts says, “Don’t listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They teach you vanity. They speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.”
Vanity and lies are hallmarks of the occult
Zechariah 10:2
For the teraphim [household idols] have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie; and they have told false dreams. They comfort in vain. Therefore they go their way like sheep. They are oppressed, because there is no shepherd.
Hoarding God’s bounty is vanity: an evil disease
Ecclesiastes 6:1-2
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is heavy on men: a man to whom God gives riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacks nothing for his soul of all that he desires, yet God gives him no power to eat of it, but an alien eats it. This is vanity, and it is an evil disease.
Vanity is a delusion
Jeremiah 51:17-19
Every man has become stupid and without knowledge. Every goldsmith is disappointed by his image, for his molten images are falsehood, and there is no breath in them. They are vanity, a work of delusion. In the time of their visitation, they will perish. The portion of Jacob is not like these, for he formed all things, including the tribe of his inheritance. The LORD of Hosts is his name.
Listening only to those who agree with me is vanity
Ecclesiastes 7:5-6
It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise than for a man to hear the song of fools. For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity.
Vanity is the refuge of charlatans and con men
1 Timothy 1:5-7
But the goal of this command is love, out of a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith, from which things some, having missed the mark, have turned away to vain talking, desiring to be teachers of the law, though they understand neither what they say, nor about what they strongly affirm.
All earthly possessions and accomplishments are rooted in vanity
Ecclesiastes 2:10-11
Whatever my eyes desired, I didn’t keep from them. I didn’t withhold my heart from any joy, for my heart rejoiced because of all my labor, and this was my portion from all my labor. Then I looked at all the works that my hands had worked, and at the labor that I had labored to do; and behold, all was vanity and a chasing after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.
Vanity is linked to lies
Psalm 4:2
You sons of men, how long shall my glory be turned into dishonor? Will you love vanity and seek after falsehood? Selah.
