.The devising of folly is sin, And the scoffer is an abomination to men.Proverbs 24:9.“Scoffer” is one of the names given to people with insolent pride…….
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“Proud,” “Haughty,” “Scoffer,” are his names, Who acts with insolent pride.Proverbs 21:24.
…….And insolent pride is the Biblical term for narcissism (see here). So, “scoffer” is one of the descriptive names the Bible gives to what we today call a “narcissist”.
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Narcissists (those with insolent pride) want (or even demand) to be exalted, but the things they do in their drive to be exalted ultimately turns people off – to the point that people can’t stand being around them. Of course, their charm may allow them to get away with it for a little while, but at some point their lifting themselves “up” (and simultaneously putting those around them “down”) catches up with them. Its not a matter of “if”, but “when”.
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The result is that the narcissist gets the opposite of what he is seeking. He is seeking to be admired, and instead in his selfish pursuit becomes despised. Jesus made this very clear when describing the Narcissists of His day – the Pharisees. In the middle of describing their insolent pride, He explained how things really work:
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Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.Matthew 23:12.
In his pursuit of exaltation, the narcissist winds up being humbled.
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* “Narcissist” is the current colloquial term for what the Bible calls “insolent pride” (see here)
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Go Deeper: The First Will Be Last
What does the Bible say about narcissism, and how should a believer respond? This book walks through Scripture’s case studies, the key words the Bible uses, and practical counsel for those living or working with a narcissist.
Paperback, Kindle, and audiobook. For daily encouragement, see the 30-Day Journeys devotional series.
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