Vain Reasonings

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled." (II Corinthians 10: 3-6 KJV)

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (NIV)

"Imaginations" might be translated "vain reasonings." Or, perhaps as "empty arguments." Or, perhaps as "groundless speculations." Christians, when they preach and defend the gospel as the truth of God, must face these "reasonings" and "imaginations" of depraved thinking.

In presenting and constructing truth, in the minds and hearts of men, disciples of Christ must, at the same time, destroy falsehood. Oftentimes this work of destroying old thought habits and false notions must precede any construction of new thought models. Old world views about God and divine things must be eliminated before a new world view is constructed in the place of the old. When the Lord called Jeremiah to preach, he said to him:

"See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant." (Jeremiah 1: 10)

Notice what often comes first for those who teach men the gospel, who instruct them in life changing truth about God. Jeremiah is to first destroy before he builds up. Before he plants saving truth, he must first uproot falsehood and error. Before he builds up one's mind in the truth, he must "pull down" the "false reasonings" of men about God, themselves, and their present situation.

But, fallen man has within him that which is strongly antagonistic to the saving truth of God. He has within himself a nature that seeks to corrupt the truth of God.

Wrote Paul:

"...when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened." (Romans 1: 21)

And Jeremiah also witnessed: "...the customs of the people are vain..." (Jeremiah 10: 3) And Malachi further witnessed against fallen man, saying - "Ye have said, It is vain to serve God." (Malachi 3: 14) This is what every sinner has said in his heart. He wants to serve himself, his lusts and evil desires. He serves "his own belly" (Philippians 3: 19 - "who's god is their belly"). And this is why the prophet says further:

"Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains: truly in the LORD our God is the salvation of Israel." (Jeremiah 3: 23)

The false prophets did not help the people, for rather than rebuking and correcting them, and "pulling down" their "vain reasonings," they rather cried "peace, peace, when there was no peace" (Jeremiah 6: 14; 8: 11) and were such who molly coddled sinners in their sins; "ear ticklers," as they are also known (II Timothy 4: 3). They are also known as "smooth talkers," those who simply preach what sinners want to hear, not what they need to hear. (See Isaiah 30: 10)

Thus could the prophet lament, saying:

"Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee: and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity; but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment." (Lamentations 2: 14)

The Devil sends out these kinds of prophets en masse. You can spot these false teachers by the fact that they fail to "discover" to their hearers their sins and iniquities, the very thing they need to see.

In the judgment day, the Lord may very well ask each lost sinner - "What iniquity have your fathers (and in you also) found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?" (Jeremiah 2: 5)

What answer will you return to the Judge? What will be your defence? Who will be your advocate?