Monthly Archives: June 2021

Narcissist Case Study – The Prodigal’s Brother

June 27, 2021 By in Uncategorized Tags: ,

.

Luke 15:1-2

15 Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him. 2 Both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

.

In response to crowds coming to hear Jesus, the (narcissistic) Pharisees and scribes did not publicly reveal their jealously, but rather grumbled among themselves with a haughty and holier-than-thou attitude about His “receiving sinners”.

.

Rather than directly rebuke them for their attitude, Jesus responded by telling them three parables.  Jesus’ main point in each of the parables was God’s loving grace in seeking those who are “lost”, and joy when they return to Him.  This was in obvious contrast with the Pharisees who did not care about the people to whom Jesus was ministering, but only about the fact that they were not the center of attention.

.

In Jesus’ third story of the “prodigal son” [read the entire parable here], He also used the narcissistic older brother’s response as a mirror to point out to the narcissistic Pharisees their prideful, self-centered obstructionism (Luke 11:52), and lack of mercy.  Jesus was not defensive at the Pharisees’ grumbling, but took the path of grace by gently pointing out their error via through this story – if they were willing to listen.

Continue reading →

Share

Ananias And Sapphira

June 20, 2021 By in Uncategorized Tags:

.

Narcissists will often lie in order to both get what they want while at the same time looking good in the eyes  of others.

.

There is a case study in Acts 4:34-5:11 about a couple – Ananias and Sapphira – who wanted to maintain their standing in the community and get the acclaim that came from being outrageously generous, without being as generous as they pretended.  They faked it.

The book of Acts describes a very early church that was incredibly generous in meeting each other’s needs, to the point that “there was not a needy person among them (Acts 4:34).  People were even going so far as to sell their land and houses to provide for the needs of their fellow believers in Jesus.

Ananias and Sapphira wanted to look like they were as generous as everyone else – pride in maintaining an outward appearance – but they really did not want to give up the full proceeds from the sale of their property (inward greed).  So, they deceptively made it look like they were bringing the whole proceeds when in fact they were not.

.

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet.  But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land?  While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” 

Acts 5:1-4

.

The consequences to both Ananias and Saphira were surprisingly severe – God struck them both dead on the spot.  Ananias and Sapphira brought into the church the Pharisaic tendency to feign righteousness while hiding greed.  God’s severe response sent a clear message to His emerging Church – lying for the sake of appearances, combined with selfish motives and secret deception, was not acceptable.

.

.

 

Share

Actions Speak Louder

June 13, 2021 By in Uncategorized

.

Most of you have heard the phrase “actions speak louder than words”.  This well-worn phrase from the past, like many others, actually has a Biblical foundation.  Consider these for example,

.

By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;    I John 2:3-4

.

John’s point is that the proof of your what’s in your heart is in what you do, not in what you say.  If you say something and do the opposite, it is what you do that counts.

Titus said the same thing;

.

They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.     Titus 1:16

.

As did James

.
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?   James 2:14-16

.

No matter what they may claim, a narcissist’s functional (actual) philosophy is just the opposite.  They believe that what they claim is what really counts.

David accurately described them in Psalm 12

.

They speak falsehood to one another;
With flattering lips and with a double heart they speak.
May the Lord cut off all flattering lips,
The tongue that speaks great things;
Who have said, “With our tongue we will prevail;
Our lips are our own; who is lord over us?”   Psalm 12:2-4

.

Narcissists believe that they can achieve what they want through words, even if those words have no underlying substance.

A narcissist may get away with this “all talk, no action” approach for awhile, but it will catch up with them at some point.  They may fool some people for awhile, or jump from person to person to avoid being found out, but as always God has the last say in everything.

He sees their act, knows the lack of substance, and makes the final judgment based on actions, not words.

.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.     Matthew 7:21-23

.

.

Click here for initial steps on how to know God personally

Share

Dealing With Narcissists – Don’t Take It To The Boss

June 6, 2021 By in Uncategorized

,

Do not slander a slave to his master, Or he will curse you and you will be found guilty.

Proverbs 30:10

.

It is very tempting when you are dealing with a narcissist co-worker to “take it to boss”.  However, this has a high likelihood of backfiring.   In the process you will likely get something wrong – the way you approached it, your attitude, getting one or more facts wrong, etc.  The narcissist will typically quickly figure out what you have done wrong, and somehow use that to turn the tables on you.

….

 

Share