10 Signs of Vanity
In Western American society, we have majored on our stature and minored on our character.
I am so burdened lately for young leaders who are caught in ‘the vain game’. The continuum downward spiral of self-absorption that is so much a part of our Western materialistic mindset. Vanity is destroying a generation of young leaders.
The Vain Game
Sure, there are far more young leaders who are living right and have abhored vanity. But, it is the few who get the focus when something like what happened to John Gray and Carl Lentz takes place.
Vanity is really easy to give in to in America. Our culture screams self-promotion - from television, movies, marketing and advertising, and social media. The self-aggrandizement is front and center in our nation.
One of the greatest dangers to young leaders is vanity. Correction. One of the greatest dangers to any leader is vanity. Correction. The greatest danger to leadership is vanity.
Look at the Scriptures
Ecclesiastes 1 and 2
Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, placed a major emphasis on vanity. In Ecclesiastes one and two, Solomon said, “I considered all that my hands had done and the toil that I had spent in my entire lifetime, I lacked nothing. But, it was all striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun from my vanity.”
First Samuel 16
Remember when God spoke to Samuel to find Israel a king? Look at the process. During his search, Samuel placed his focus on character and not stature. God said to Samuel, “do not consider his appearance or his height for I have rejected these.“
Mark 8
Shortly after completing one of the most remarkable miracles in the Bible, Jesus was talking to the disciples about what matters most. He didn’t talk about wealth, materialism, and miracles. Jesus talked about discipleship. And he said to them, “for what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul.”
Talk about vanity and measuring worth!
The Slippery Slope
Let’s take a look at the dangers of Vanity. It is like standing on top of the slippery slope and thinking that you are okay. And then suddenly you lose your footing.
Vanity may be at the center of blame for most of the problems in society. It can be seen in the pride that comes before a fall, the comparison game that limits our own growth, and the arrogance that isolates us from others.
I am burdened that we as spiritual leaders are walking at the top of a slippery slope on the mountain of vanity. And the result is going to be a catastrophic slip.
In Christian literature, historically, there are seven deadly sins or vices that lead to all sin. They include greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony, slothfulness/laziness, and pride/vanity. They are also called capital sins because all sin to be traced back to these seven. And it is these centered sins that often lead down the slippery slope of all other sins.
Tough Questions
If we are going to be great leaders, we must be willing to ask tough questions of ourselves. Let me ask you a few of these questions that will reveal your level of vanity:
Do we really need a page for ‘pastors in sneakers’?
Is it healthy to call everyone a ‘legend’?
Do we need another post of our meetings or services of bands and poses - but empty of altars and brokenness?
Do you have more photos in your platforms of your self or others? Has our social media become a shrine to self-aggrandizement? Or is it promoting Christ, His principles, and His work?
When is the last time you cried for someone else and not yourself?
With that aside, let’s look at practical signs of vanity and pride in our lives.
Signs of Vanity
Here are a few leans that take place when you are walking in vanity:
Coveting money, fame, applause, materialism, or even people (Commandment)
Excessive or compulsive focus upon self
Comparison of self to others that you are not in relationship with
Defensiveness in criticism
Over-emphasis with external worth and under-emphasis of internal worth
More time in social media and in front of a mirror than in spiritual disciplines
Elevated excitement or disappointment over applause or criticism
Social Media - Purchasing likes and followers is a dangerous replacement for true influence - Checking ‘likes’ or placing value on people because of their number of ‘likes’ - Over-concern or disappointment of number of ‘likes’ - Competitive with others over ‘likes’ or numbers or positions or Social circles they are in - Loss of self-worth over number of ‘likes’ or numbers or positions or Social circles they are in - Excessive use of filters for photos
Frequent depression and poor mental / emotional health because of any of these signs
A lack of Contentment
Finally
Excessive self-love and pride lead to deception because there is no room for the spiritual. When we define our lives naturally through beauty, accomplishment, or complements, we become deceived to what true value really is. True value, worth, beauty, accomplishment, or complements are best received because we are spiritual and not simply natural.
Leaders, please abhor vanity.