Seeking Spiritual Vitality: Turning Away from Vanity
Summary
In Psalm 119:37, David earnestly prays, "Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity and quicken thou me in thy way." This prayer reflects a deep desire for spiritual vitality and a rejection of worldly distractions. David's plea is twofold: a request for deadness to vanity and a longing for life in God's way. Vanity, in this context, encompasses frivolity, carnality, falsehood, and wickedness. David recognizes the danger of being drawn into these distractions and seeks divine intervention to keep his focus on what truly matters.
The world is filled with distractions that can lead us away from God. Frivolity, or the pursuit of trivial pleasures, can consume our time and energy, leaving little room for spiritual growth. Carnality, the focus on physical and temporal things, can overshadow the eternal realities that truly matter. Falsehood, including deceptive doctrines and ideologies, can lead us astray from the truth of God. Wickedness, in all its forms, can entrap us if we are not vigilant.
David's prayer is a recognition of human frailty and the need for God's help to maintain spiritual focus. He acknowledges that our natural inclination is to be drawn towards vanity, and thus, he asks God to turn his eyes away from such distractions. This prayer is not just about avoiding sin but about actively seeking life in God's way. It is a call to be quickened, or made alive, in faith, service, devotion, and holiness.
To be quickened in God's way means to have a living faith that transforms our lives and produces good works. It means serving God with zeal and devotion, not out of obligation but out of a vibrant relationship with Him. It means living a life marked by holiness, where every action reflects our commitment to God. Ultimately, it is a recognition that true life comes from God alone, and we must continually seek His presence to sustain us.
Key Takeaways:
1. Deadness to Vanity: David's prayer for deadness to vanity highlights the need to detach from worldly distractions that lead us away from God. Vanity, in its various forms, can consume our attention and energy, leaving little room for spiritual growth. By seeking God's help to turn away from vanity, we can focus on what truly matters—our relationship with Him. [04:07]
2. Life in God's Way: To be quickened in God's way is to have a living faith that transforms our lives. This involves a vibrant relationship with God that influences every aspect of our being, from our thoughts to our actions. A living faith produces good works and reflects our commitment to serving God with zeal and devotion. [32:07]
3. The Danger of Familiarity with Sin: Familiarity with sin can lead to a gradual desensitization, making us more susceptible to temptation. David's prayer acknowledges the danger of being drawn into sin through repeated exposure. By seeking God's help to turn away from sin, we can maintain a sensitive conscience and a heart aligned with His will. [22:33]
4. Dependence on God for Spiritual Vitality: David's prayer reflects a deep dependence on God for spiritual vitality. Recognizing our own frailty, we must continually seek God's presence to sustain us and keep us focused on His way. True life comes from God alone, and we must rely on Him to quicken us in faith, service, devotion, and holiness. [28:11]
5. The Transformative Power of Fixing Our Eyes on Christ: By fixing our eyes on Christ, we can overcome the distractions of vanity and sin. Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, provides the strength and focus needed to live a life pleasing to God. This focus on Christ transforms our hearts and minds, enabling us to live in alignment with His will. [29:52]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:15] - Introduction to David's Prayer
[00:33] - The Earnestness of David
[00:49] - True Religion and Covetousness
[01:37] - Nominal Christians and Spiritual Life
[02:25] - The Danger of Divided Devotion
[03:51] - Deadness to Vanity
[04:26] - Understanding Vanity
[05:15] - Frivolity and Spiritual Growth
[06:52] - The Heroic Life
[07:59] - Carnality and Eternal Realities
[11:18] - Vanity as Falsehood
[16:15] - Wickedness and Spiritual Vigilance
[19:34] - The Importance of Spiritual Focus
[29:52] - Fixing Our Eyes on Christ
[31:15] - Life in God's Way
[36:08] - Dependence on God for Spiritual Vitality
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Psalm 119:37
- Matthew 6:22-23
- Hebrews 12:2
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#### Observation Questions
1. What does David specifically ask God to do in Psalm 119:37, and why is this significant? [00:15]
2. According to the sermon, what are the four aspects of vanity that David wants to avoid? [04:58]
3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between vanity and spiritual vitality? [28:11]
4. What does the pastor suggest is the remedy for a wandering mind and eyes? [29:52]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of "deadness to vanity" relate to the Christian life, and what might this look like in practice? [04:07]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that familiarity with sin can desensitize a believer's conscience? [22:33]
3. How does the sermon interpret the idea of being "quickened" in God's way, and what implications does this have for a believer's daily life? [31:15]
4. What does the sermon imply about the importance of fixing our eyes on Christ, and how does this help in overcoming distractions? [29:52]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily routine. Are there specific "vanities" or distractions that consume your time and energy? How can you begin to turn your eyes away from these distractions this week? [04:07]
2. Consider a time when you felt spiritually lukewarm. What steps can you take to seek God's help in revitalizing your faith and devotion? [00:33]
3. The sermon warns against the danger of becoming familiar with sin. Are there areas in your life where you have become desensitized to sin? What practical steps can you take to regain sensitivity? [22:33]
4. How can you cultivate a living faith that actively transforms your actions and decisions? Identify one area in your life where you can demonstrate this faith through good works. [32:07]
5. The sermon emphasizes the importance of fixing our eyes on Christ. What specific practices or habits can you adopt to keep your focus on Jesus amidst daily distractions? [29:52]
6. In what ways can you depend more on God for spiritual vitality? Consider setting aside time each day to seek His presence and guidance. [28:11]
7. Think of a recent situation where you were tempted to look towards something that could lead you away from God. How can you prepare yourself to respond differently in the future? [19:34]
Devotional
Day 1: Detaching from Worldly Distractions
David's prayer in Psalm 119:37 reveals a profound desire to detach from worldly distractions and focus on spiritual growth. Vanity, in this context, refers to the frivolous pursuits and falsehoods that can consume our attention and energy, leading us away from God. David acknowledges the human tendency to be drawn towards these distractions and seeks divine intervention to turn his eyes away from them. This plea is not merely about avoiding sin but about actively seeking a life centered on God. By asking for deadness to vanity, David emphasizes the importance of prioritizing our relationship with God over the fleeting pleasures of the world. [04:07]
Ecclesiastes 1:14 (ESV): "I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind."
Reflection: What is one worldly distraction that often pulls your focus away from God? How can you intentionally redirect your attention towards nurturing your relationship with Him today?
Day 2: Embracing a Living Faith
To be quickened in God's way means to have a living faith that transforms every aspect of our lives. This involves cultivating a vibrant relationship with God that influences our thoughts, actions, and decisions. A living faith is not passive; it actively produces good works and reflects our commitment to serving God with zeal and devotion. By seeking to be quickened, we invite God to breathe life into our faith, enabling us to live in alignment with His will and purpose. This transformation is a continuous process that requires our willingness to be shaped and molded by God's presence. [32:07]
James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate your faith through actions today? Consider one specific act of service or kindness you can perform to reflect your commitment to God.
Day 3: Guarding Against Familiarity with Sin
Familiarity with sin can lead to a gradual desensitization, making us more susceptible to temptation. David's prayer acknowledges the danger of being drawn into sin through repeated exposure and seeks God's help to maintain a sensitive conscience. By turning away from sin, we can keep our hearts aligned with God's will and avoid the pitfalls of spiritual complacency. This requires vigilance and a conscious effort to guard our hearts and minds against the influences that can lead us astray. [22:33]
1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (ESV): "Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."
Reflection: Is there a particular sin or temptation that you have become too familiar with? How can you seek God's strength to resist and turn away from it today?
Day 4: Relying on God for Spiritual Vitality
David's prayer reflects a deep dependence on God for spiritual vitality. Recognizing our own frailty, we must continually seek God's presence to sustain us and keep us focused on His way. True life comes from God alone, and we must rely on Him to quicken us in faith, service, devotion, and holiness. This dependence is not a sign of weakness but a recognition of our need for God's strength and guidance in every aspect of our lives. By leaning on God, we can experience the fullness of life that He offers and remain steadfast in our spiritual journey. [28:11]
Isaiah 40:29-31 (ESV): "He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel spiritually weary or weak? How can you intentionally seek God's presence and strength to renew your spiritual vitality today?
Day 5: Fixing Our Eyes on Christ
By fixing our eyes on Christ, we can overcome the distractions of vanity and sin. Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, provides the strength and focus needed to live a life pleasing to God. This focus on Christ transforms our hearts and minds, enabling us to live in alignment with His will. By keeping our gaze on Him, we can navigate the challenges of life with confidence and assurance, knowing that He is our guide and source of strength. This intentional focus requires daily commitment and a willingness to prioritize our relationship with Christ above all else. [29:52]
Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to fix your eyes on Christ amidst the distractions of life? How can this focus transform your daily walk with Him?
Quotes
"David when he wrote these words was in downright Earnest there were times with him when he grew lukewarm and cold and then we remember that he soon fell into Grievous sin but at the time when he was Penning this verse his Spirit was Lively and active and energetic and hence it was that he prayed thus carefully about himself turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity and Quicken thou me in thy way." [00:22:00]
"Dear friends you know as well as I do that there are many sorts of Christians I'm sorry to say that there are some nominal Christians who are no credit to Christianity they bear the name of Christians and though I will not say that they are dead yet certainly they are very sickly and seem ready to die they stand among the people of God and their names are put down in the church book but if they be spiritually alive theirs is a very feeble form of life." [00:88:00]
"David here prays for deadness in One Direction Lord Make Me Dead to vanity and secondly he prays for life in another Direction Quicken thou me in thy way Lord Make Me Alive to those things that are true and real lasting and eternal first David here prays for deadness in one direction deadness to the world that he may be so dead to it that he will not even look at it turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity." [00:232:92]
"To some men life is all trifling they're the butterflies of God's Garden a lighting on flowers but never sucking the honey out of them they just dance their little hour in the Sunbeam of existence as the gats do on a summer's evening they come they dance they die and there is an end of them so far as this life is concerned Even in our way there will frequently come frivolous things." [00:312:12]
"Men think that spiritual things are dreams and that temporal things are realities but it is the other way about the things that are not seen are Eternal these invisible visible things shall last forever when eyes are blind in the grave and ears are deaf beneath the sod then shall the invisible become the more real to us when eyes and ears and more Earthly senses have passed away from us." [00:524:92]
"Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity that is falsehood for that is what he means by Vanity that which seems to be something but really is nothing that bubble from the child's soap and pipe looks as if it were a solid creation of rainbows but it is gone in almost less time than you can think and there are many things in the world just like that especially at this present time." [00:676:279]
"Does thou hear that anything is evil touch it not taste it not handle it not look not upon it keep thou far away from it is there a plague for from Hell let loose amongst the sons of men my son go not thou near the infected region if it be the house of the strange woman or any other haunt of Vice however enchanting the amusement however alluring the attractions turn not thou in that direction." [00:986:92]
"Dear friends look not towards any sin for looking breeds longing and longing begets lusting and lusting brings sinning keep thine eyes right and thou mayest keep thy heart right if that first woman had not looked upon the forbidden tree and seen that the tree was good for food and that it was pleasant to the eyes and a tree to be desired to make one wise she would not have plucked and eaten of the fruit." [01:117:88]
"The psalmist in the next place knew the EV evil of a growing familiarity with vanity he prayed turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity because he knew by experience that you cannot go near to vanity without being drawn nearer and then a little nearer and then a little nearer still for the most part men do not fall into great sin by sudden surprises it is sometimes so but usually there are several descending platforms." [01:343:72]
"Let the prayer of each of us be Quicken thou me in the way of thy service oh Lord Quicken me also in the way of devotion it is a sad thing to try to pray when you feel sleepy in prayer then is the time to cry Lord help me to pray as if I were carrying the Gates of Heaven by storm help me to draw near to thee with my whole heart and soul." [02:100:20]
"May you and I be made so thoroughly alive in it that we shall do nothing that has not upon it the mark of Holiness unto the Lord yet once more observe that nobody but God can give us this life in God's way all life comes from him but especially is this the case with spiritual life the sculptor can make the marble seem to breathe but he cannot breathe life into it and you and I may do and ought to do much for ourselves." [02:158:92]
"Quicken me Quicken me Quicken me is the prayer of the Soul when first it begins to live it is the prayer of the Christian when he gets into the stern struggles of life and the poisonous damps of the world and the prayer of the Christian when he is about to die is still Quicken me oh Lord Quicken me in thy way oh life of life be like life to me oh spirit of God Breathe Into Me power Vigor Force energy." [02:223:56]
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