No Vacancy Can Be Good or Bad

Vacant is an interesting word. If there is a vacancy for a place you want to stay, that is a good thing. If there is a vacant lot, and you want to build on it, the time to build is reduced because you don’t have to remove a building to get started. Those two came quickly to mind.

Sometimes, however, being empty is not a good thing. Having a vacant mind means you are empty headed. While doing a few online searches I found this interesting quote: “In Hinduism, a vacant mind symbolizes a restless state prone to negative influences and reflects emotional turmoil, highlighting the importance of mental peace and clarity for spiritual growth.” Wisdom Library

A Huge Vacancy Danger

There are many voices that seek to gain your attention and allegiance. They want to persuade you of things that are not true, helpful, or desirable. There are many empty words, philosophies, and lies that steer people away from reality. The scriptures repeatedly alert us to these dangers. Here are a couple of examples:  

“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.” Ephesians 5:6

“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” Colossians 2:8

This one is my favorite: “The words of a wise man’s mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him. The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is evil madness. A fool multiplies words, though no man knows what is to be, and who can tell him what will be after him?” Ecclesiastes 10:12-14

Notice what happens to a person just based on their words. Why is this true? Because the words a person says betrays their heart. Jesus made this very clear.

“I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:36-37

How to Identify a Follower of Jesus

“The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips.” Proverbs 16:23

Five Minute Friday

This post is part of the weekly Five-Minute Friday link-up.

All scripture passages are from the English Standard Version except as otherwise noted.