• Mark 7:6-9
    He answered and said to them, 'Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:
    ' This people honors Me with their lips,
    But their heart is far from Me.
    And in vain they worship Me,
    Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men—the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do." He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.
     
  • Deuteronomy 12:29-32
    "When the LORD your God cuts off from before you the nations which you go to dispossess, and you displace them and dwell in their land, take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, "How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise." You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way; for every abomination to the LORD which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods. "Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.

     
  • Isaiah 1:10-17
    Hear the word of the LORD,
    You rulers of Sodom;
    Give ear to the law of our God,
    You people of Gomorrah:
    "To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?"
    Says the LORD.
    " I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams
    And the fat of fed cattle.
    I do not delight in the blood of bulls,
    Or of lambs or goats.
    "When you come to appear before Me,
    Who has required this from your hand,
    To trample My courts?
    Bring no more futile sacrifices;
    Incense is an abomination to Me.
    The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies—
    I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting.
    Your New Moons and your appointed feasts
    My soul hates;
    They are a trouble to Me,
    I am weary of bearing them.
    When you spread out your hands,
    I will hide My eyes from you;
    Even though you make many prayers,
    I will not hear.
    Your hands are full of blood.
    "Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean;
    Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes.
    Cease to do evil,
    Learn to do good;
    Seek justice,
    Rebuke the oppressor;
    Defend the fatherless,
    Plead for the widow.

     
  • Matthew 15:8-9
    " These people draw near to Me with their mouth,
    Andhonor Me with their lips,
    But their heart is far from Me.
    And in vain they worship Me,
    Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.""
     
  • Exodus 20:4-6
    "You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

     
  • Jeremiah 10:2-5
    Thus says the LORD:
    “ Do not learn the way of the Gentiles;
    Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven,
    For the Gentiles are dismayed at them.
    For the customs of the peoples are futile;
    For one cuts a tree from the forest,
    The work of the hands of the workman, with the ax.
    They decorate it with silver and gold;
    They fasten it with nails and hammers
    So that it will not topple.
    They are upright, like a palm tree,
    And they cannot speak;
    They must be carried,
    Because they cannot go by themselves.
    Do not be afraid of them,
    For they cannot do evil,
    Nor can they do any good.”

     


Related Scriptures

  • John 4:23-24
    But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
     

For more scripture references, please see Bible verses for Worship, Vain


Resources

Worship Always

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

Worship, not merely a set of behaviors performed in a religious service but a response to what God is, is a state of mind one must maintain 24/7.


Worship God!

'Ready Answer' by Staff

What is worship? What should our attitude be in worship? How do we worship God? Our God is seeking people to worship Him in spirit and truth!


Pagan Holidays

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

The holidays of this world counterfeit God's holy days, but it is obvious that they are very different. God warns us not to be involved in them.


Cogitations on Christmas

Article by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Because of the pagan origins of Christmas, increasing numbers of Christians realize that one cannot 'put Christ' back into something in which He never was.


What's Wrong With Christmas?

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The Catholic Church mixed truth and falsehood to have the 'official' birthdate of the Son of God coincide with the rebirth of the sun, the winter solstice.


Presumption and Divine Justice

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Orthodoxy in virtually every aspect of life has been discarded, indicating how perverse human nature is in its determination to rebel against God.


The Plain Truth About Christmas

Herbert W. Armstrong Booklet

Did Christmas come from the Bible or paganism? Here are the origins of the Christmas tree, Santa Claus, mistletoe, the holly wreath, and exchanging gifts.


Halloween

Article by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Halloween is the second-most popular holiday. This night not only lacks biblical foundation, but the Bible warns us against participating in such activities.



For more resources, please see the library topic for Worship, Vain