What Does The Bible Say About Narcissism?

Narcissism is a psychological term used to describe the condition where a person has an abnormal and frequent preoccupation with himself / herself.
The term Narcissism originates from Greek mythology where a man by the name of Narcissus fell in love with his own image reflected in a pool or spring of water.
The root of narcissistic behaviour is pride, selfishness and a deep-rooted desire to be admired.
Since all of mankind is sinful by nature (Romans 3:23), it is true to say that every person who lives according to the flesh / sinful nature is capable of exhibiting narcissistic tendencies from time to time.

The Signs & Effects of Narcissism
The scripture in the Bible which best describes narcissism and the effects of narcissistic behaviour is 2 Timothy 3:1-5 which says the following:
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

Therefore based on 2 Timothy 3:1-5 many narcissists will develop several of the following signs:

• They have a grandiose sense of self-importance. They project themselves to be more important or superior than others
• They have a sense of entitlement and they are materialistic
• They exploit others without guilt, shame or remorse
• They have difficulty with genuine love or empathy for others
• They are in love with their own sense of success and achievements
• They seek admiration from others
• They do not take criticism very well and are likely to dislike anyone who criticizes them or who does not admire them
• They have problems in sustaining satisfying or genuine relationships
• They frequently demean, intimidate, bully or belittle others in order to make themselves feel superior or better than other people
• They live in a reality or fantasy that supports their pride or conceited lifestyle
• As a defence mechanism, they project their own faults and failures on others
• Ultimately they live for themselves and to satisfy their own personal desires at any cost

What The Bible Says About Narcissism
Pride is one of the most dangerous traits for a person to have. Satan himself was corrupted because he had pride (Isaiah 14:13-14).
It is also evident from the scriptures that God hates pride. Proverbs 16:5 says: “Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished”.

Proverbs 8:13 says: “The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.”

Ultimately we cannot approach God with a spirit of pride in our heart. We cannot receive the things of God, when we are controlled by pride or any narcissistic attitude.
If we are to genuinely receive Christ and God’s word, we must be willing to be humble and understand that we are sinners who are depraved.

Therefore narcissism exists because of the sinful nature that is inherited in mankind. The only way to overcome narcissistic behavior in our life is through Jesus Christ and having the mind and humility of Christ.
It is only when we receive Jesus Christ as Lord & Saviour, that the Holy Spirit will give us the strength and ability to walk in humility and overcome any attitude of the flesh – including narcissism.

Galatians 5:16 says: But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Galatians 5:24-26 says: And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

The Bible says that we are to clothe ourselves with humility toward one another (1 Peter 5:5-6).
Philippians 2:3-4 says: Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Philippians 2:5-8 further says that we are to have the mind of Christ and to imitate His attitude of humility in our life.

Ultimately, it is only when we receive Jesus Christ as Lord & Saviour, then we can overcome the problem of narcissism in our own life as we yield and submit the to the Holy Spirit.

DO YOU WANT TO BE A CHRISTIAN or A FOLLOWER OF JESUS CHRIST???

1. ACKNOWLEDGE: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
This means that we have all broken God’s laws and God’s 10 Commandments like those mentioned in Exodus 20:1-17. For example, if you have told a lie; if you have stolen something; if you have lusted after somebody or if you have coveted. This means you are guilty of breaking at least one or more of God’s 10 Commandments. Breaking God’s commandments makes us sinners. The fact that we are sinners who have broken God’s law means that we are accountable to God who is the Lawgiver. Romans 6:23 says that “the wages of sin is death BUT the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”
You must acknowledge that you are a sinner who has broken God’s commandments and that you therefore need Jesus in your life.

2. REPENT: “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3), “Repent therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19)
Repenting means: to change your mind; a sincere turning away, in heart, mind and action;
Therefore God wants you to repent of sinful values and of sinful living. God wants you to decide to
follow Him and to make Jesus the Lord of your life.

3. CONFESSION: “If we confess our sins. He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9)
God is a forgiving God. God will forgive any sin that you have done because Jesus died for ALL your sins and to set you free from the bondage of all types of sin in your life.

4. BELIEVE: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
You must believe that ONLY Jesus can save you and restore your relationship with God. You must believe that Jesus is the ONLY way by which you can have everlasting life and escape from eternal separation from God. You must believe that Jesus died on the cross for you and resurrected from the grave.
“He came to His own, and His own did not receive him, But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name” (John 1:11-12)
By faith, You must receive Jesus as Your Lord & Savior and therefore; you become a child of God; you become born again; you become a Christian; you restore your broken relationship with God

Why Not Make Your Eternal Decision NOW?

We become born again Christians by GRACE through FAITH or TOTAL TRUST in Jesus Christ as our Lord & Savior (Galatians 3:26) & (Ephesians 2:8,9). Salvation is a FREE gift received through FAITH in Christ.

PLEASE NOTE: You can choose to pray in your own words. This prayer is a sample prayer and it is only an EXPRESSION of your faith, belief & trust in Jesus. Salvation is by GRACE through FAITH or BELIEVING in Christ Jesus as your Lord & Saviour.

“Lord Jesus, I thank You for Your love. I thank You that You died on the cross for me and resurrected so that I may have life through You.
I confess Lord that I have sinned against You and today I ask You to forgive me of all of my sins, past present and future.
Today I repent and have decided to follow you. Thank you for forgiving all my sins.
From this moment, come into my life Lord Jesus & take full control of my life. I want to follow You Jesus and I want to follow Your ways. Save me and from today, make me the person You want me to be.
I receive You Lord Jesus right now by faith. I trust You as my Lord and Savior – Amen”

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