» Romans 2:1 Biblical Perspectives On Narcissism

Psalm 19:7

⁷The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

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A “testimony of the Lord” is a Biblical account of God’s dealing with someone in accordance with His nature and His ways. While those accounts often do not specifically outline the Biblical principles at play, they are excellent illustrations of truth gleaned in other parts of the Bible. A “case study” or a “cautionary tale” might be modern ways of referring to these accounts. And as Psalm 19:7 and I Corinthians 10:11 state, these accounts can provide wisdom to those who are naive (or simple).

One such account is that of Eliab, David’s oldest brother.

1 Chronicles 2:13-15

¹³and Jesse became the father of Eliab his firstborn, then Abinadab the second, Shimea the third, ¹⁴Nethanel the fourth, Raddai the fifth, ¹⁵Ozem the sixth, David the seventh;

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Please see here for part 1

Jesus further highlighted the link between hypocrisy and judging others in Matthew 7:1-5:

“Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye?

You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. Matthew 7:1-5

The word “judge” in Matthew 7:1 has the same root “krino”[1] as in the word hypocrite. The hypocrite has a “log in his eye” – a euphemism for a “big problem” or “big character flaw”. But, out of pride the hypocrite minimizes his own log to be “nothing” – saying to himself “I’m OK”. He then pretends helpfulness by offering to take the speck (a little problem) out of his brother’s eye, but in fact is acting as a proud judge, setting himself up as superior.

His judgment is proof that he has a problem in the same life area in which he is trying to “help” his brother.

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Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge[2] another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. Romans 2:1

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