Bible Dictionaries
Vain

Holman Bible Dictionary

self-conceit, usually a translation of a number of words that mean, “nothingness” or “unreliability.” In relation to God, trying to thwart His will is vain (Psalm 2:1; see Acts 4:25 ). Trying to do things without God's help is vain (Psalm 127:1 ). We are warned not to take God's name in vain (as though it were nothing) in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1 : 7; Deuteronomy 5:11 ). Mark warned that believers are not to give God vain lip service but obedience from the heart (Deuteronomy 7:6-7; see Isaiah 1:13; Isaiah 29:13; James 1:26 ).