Can Vanity be Demonic?

“…verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity…” – Psalm 39:5

“Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.” – Ecclesiastes 1:2

I can recall that a Canadian woman, many years ago, contacted me for prayer for deliverance. She was involved in the music industry, and, seeking to break in and become famous, she wanted to become more physically attractive. Believing she wasn’t attractive enough to make it in the music industry, she resorted, of all things, to witchcraft spells. She told me she used a spell she found on the internet to make herself irresistible to people—and it seemed to work! She told me how men would be mesmerized and gawk at her and tell her how beautiful she was. The spell truly seemed to change people’s perception of her. But after she did the spell, she would feel compelled to gaze at herself in the mirror, constantly admiring her appearance as she suddenly became extremely vain.

But beneath the surface of this newfound irresistible charm or attraction, an evil spirit—or spirits—were actively at work. Soon, the illusion shattered: she became tormented by voices in her head putting her down, telling her she was going to hell, and she developed a distinct twitching in her face. These are several symptoms of demonization as she opened the door to the enemy.

To be clear, this does not mean every vain person is harboring a demon. Most of us battle some degree of vanity, at least at some point in our lives, because we are imperfect. However, when self-absorption becomes excessive and consuming, it may very well be an underlying demonic influence.

This is just another of the dire consequences of such a sin. Nothing good in the long run comes from stepping into the world of witchcraft and sorcery. The enemy is behind all spells, and those who involve themselves with the devil will get the devil’s wages. Though at times people may get what they want by delving into magic, there is always a serious cost with the devil.

A Culture of Vanity

Indeed, the very same spirit of self-absorption that drove the aforementioned woman who sought deliverance is the defining characteristic of satan himself (Isaiah 14:12-15).

I don’t think that at any time in history have more people been more into themselves in terms of vanity. The recent selfie culture is evidence of it.

While there is nothing inherently sinful about taking a casual photo of oneself, an obsession with constantly documenting, filtering, and posting your image or videos for public validation signals a deeper issue. When our primary investments shift toward cosmetic surgeries, physical modification, and chasing an elusive standard of perfection, we have drifted from God. The focus of the human heart should not be on outward appearance, but on spiritual things (Colossians 3:1-2).

Scriptures Address Vanity

The Bible emphasizes the opposite of being self-absorbed or self-obsessed:

“He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30)

Jesus addressed the self-centeredness that underlies much of today’s selfie culture:

Jesus said, “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.²⁷ And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26–27)

In direct opposition to our self-centered desires, Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it” (Matthew 16:25)

Galatians 5:24 reminds us that “those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Those “passions and desires” are described in 1 John 2:15–16 as “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.” The “pride of life” certainly defines self-absorption.

King Solomon wrote, “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.” Solomon wrote these famous words in his regret at the end of his life, after temporarily abandoning God for the fleeting pleasures of the world. Solomon had wealth beyond measure, wisdom beyond any man of his time or ours, hundreds of women, palaces and gardens that were the envy of kingdoms, the best food and wine, and every form of entertainment available. Yet he concluded that all that was ultimately meaningless.

Sadly, people today are falling into the same trap that King Solomon fell into. Many are fulfilling the prophecy in 2 Timothy 3:1-4, where it reads that in the last days people will be lovers of self and lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.

Why do we do it? For many, it is that they want to please others and receive approval and attention for validation. However, the Bible reads:

“¹⁰ For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10)

“for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” (John 12:43)

“How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?” (John 5:44)

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)

Surrendering to Christ is the Remedy

If we turn to Christ, He will give us the Holy Spirit to reside within. As we draw closer to God, the more He reveals the depravity within our hearts. Then we can deal with the self-centeredness that needs to be dealt with.

It’s really difficult to love God truly while having an infatuation with ourselves. Any form of idolatry can separate us from God. Self-infatuation leaves no room for one to love God with all the heart, soul, mind, and strength. Jesus said we can only serve one master (Matthew 6:24). Jesus gives us the ability to kill the flesh (Romans 6:6; Galatians 2:20), but are we willing to have our flesh be crucified?

Naturally, our external beauty will eventually fade away, so why invest so much in it? What matters more is whether you have the eternal beauty of Christ. That is eternal and of much more value. That is an eternal beauty—one that cannot be purchased with fame, fortune, or plastic surgery, but is freely given by faith in Him.

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If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you can receive Him into your heart, and He can deliver you from darkness and sin and have your name written in His Book of Life.

If you are sincere, you can say this simple prayer to the Father (it doesn’t have to be word for word):

“God, I recognize that I have not lived my life for You up until now. I have been living for myself and that is wrong. Please forgive me of all of my sins just as I forgive others. I need You in my life; I want You in my life. I acknowledge the completed work of Your only begotten Son Jesus Christ in giving His life for me on the cross, I believe in my heart Jesus is Lord and was raised from the dead and I long to receive the forgiveness you have made freely available to me through this sacrifice. Come into my life now, Lord. Take up residence in my heart and be my king, my Lord, and my Savior. From this day forward, I will no longer be controlled by sin, or the desire to please myself, but I will follow You all the days of my life. Those days are in Your hands. I ask this in the Lord and GOD Jesus’ precious and holy name. Amen.”