Part 7: Solutions - This Needs to Stop!

When it comes to spiritual vaunting, the solutions are pretty simple: Don’t do it, just stop it and get out of the way so the Spirit can work! I guess I could also add: Don’t seek it and don’t cause it!

If you do need a summary, then review the following:

Part 1: A Tendency to Display Ourselves - Look at Me!

Control yourself in any spiritual setting and avoid drawing any attention to yourself, especially in voice inflection, tone, gestures, attire, anything!

If involved in music, make certain the focus is worship and not performance.

Consciously draw people’s attention to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Part 2: Excessive Talking About Ourselves!

Consciously avoid talking about yourself in any spiritual setting.

Keep introductions brief, concise, and appropriate.

Carefully evaluate any potential personal story you contemplate sharing to ensure it illustrates and/or applies the gospel principles under discussion and is appropriate to the context and will ultimately strengthen members.

Avoid talking about “our others” and avoid even the appearance of flattery.

Part 3: Everything is About Me!

Avoid personal commentary about everything unless it illustrates the gospel concepts under discussion and strengthens members.

As a class member, carefully discipline yourself in what you share. Make certain it is relevant and doesn’t just draw attention to self.

Part 4: Self Congratulations for Everything!

Avoid self-congratulations for anything. This kind of talk is just “filler” and it generally doesn’t help anyone. Avoid the Rameumptom Syndrome.

Make certain your testimony IS a testimony. That means you testify of what you know to be true. Limit it to that.

Part 5: What’s In It for Me?!

Focus your church service on service and not your own personal benefits from serving.

Be more concerned about how you serve than where you serve and what your title is.

Part 6: Gimme the Credit!

Don’t seek adulation and avoid it at all costs!

Extend gratitude and thanks to others appropriately and on a personal level.

Conclusion

The name of this church is The Church of Jesus Christ. This is His gospel, His chapel, His time. Why should any of us be drawing attention to ourselves? If anyone has the right to do it it’s Jesus Christ. Isn’t His contribution larger than anyones?

Yet, He wanted the Father to have all the glory.

Satan wanted all the glory for himself. We may not be that extreme. We only trying to corral a portion of the glory, but shouldn’t we give up that as well?

Remember, in a spiritual setting you are on the Lord’s time.

Use it the way He would.


Spiritual Vaunting and the Perils of the Rameumptom Syndrome

“As teachers, we may speak with the tongues of angels; we may entertain, delight, amuse, astound. But if we have failed in keeping our focus on Jesus Christ, we have missed the mark and our teaching is only a shadow of what it ought to be. Always keep the focus on our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.” Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Teaching in the Savior’s Way with Elder Uchtdorf”. Address given June 12, 2022. Accessed June 12, 2022 from https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/broadcasts?lang=eng&video=19634698842979671470&mode=watch

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