Is he “just not that into you” or is he too much into himself? "The myth of Narcissus has given rise to the personality disorder known as narcissism, which is characterized by vanity, conceit, egotism, and self-obsession. Biblically speaking, the simple term for narcissism is selfishness. Selfishness and vanity are the epitome of narcissism."
Paul says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” Philip. 2:3.
I’ve had both men and women talk to me while looking in a mirror. It’s a person so in love with their reflection. Reminds me of the queen on Snow White, “Mirror, Mirror on the wall who is the fairest of them all?” Shania Twain sang in her song “That Don’t Impress Me Much” about a man carrying a comb and mirror in his back pocket. It’s a person so focused on their outside. The Pharisees had this exact problem. They were focused on the outside of a person.
Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Matthew 23:25
About a month ago, I was watching my former wedding video, and the pastor talked about how people are so concerned with what clothes they are going to put on and wear every day or to a social, and they don’t think about what they put on when they meet others as far as empathy, kindness, and consideration. It was this pastor’s “charge” to my former deceased spouse and I in our upcoming marriage at that time 19 years ago. (Ouch!)
Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Romans 13:14
Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:14
Awake, awake, O Zion, clothe yourself with strength. Put on your garments of splendor, O Jerusalem, the holy city Isaiah 52:1
“Narcissim is accompanied by a low self-esteem. They are unable to put the shoe on our foot for empathy for another person. It’s a need for continual positive feedback. They may use a person for their advantage like tickets to a private concert, prestige, and looking for what they gain from others. The anti-social will primarily go into contact for gain of money. “I’m so great and you are not.” Borderline personality disorder devalues people. They devalue you because of envy.” I’ll cover overcoming envy in the next blog.
We see the same example of King Nebuchadnezzar, the king was a narcissist.
he said, "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?" Daniel 4:30
The words were still on his lips when a voice came from heaven, "This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes." Daniel 4:31-33
There is a certain amount of vanity that Solomon talked about, but too much vanity leads to self-glory. That is the problem with Satan. He was so puffed up in pride about how beautiful he was. Possibly Lucifer rebelled when God wanted to create man because then he was not the sole object of God’s attention and affection. I consider that blondes look very nice in a convertible Mustang….LOL
Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. Eccl. 1:2I
He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 1 Timothy 3:6
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! Isaiah 14:12 and Luke 10:18 He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
How do you fight that personality disorder? Become a giver like God’s nature is love. Give and give and give and give and give and give, then give and give and give and give some more. Don’t worry about getting back, because in due season we will reap if we faint not! Galatians 6:9
Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again. Eccl. 11:1
Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well. Eccl. 11:6
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 2 Cor. 9:6
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35
I find that selfishness and narcissim are takers not givers. Jesus freely give as we have received (Matthew 10:8)
Even when people rip us off and take advantage of us, realize we gave unto the Lord, so we can’t lose. They are the losers for taking advantage of us, because we did it “as unto the Lord.” Like when Saul stoned Christians, he was stoning Jesus.
bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Luke 6:28
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, Colossians 3:23
We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' Acts 26:14
A simple prayer, “God forgive me for vain glory. “ I see these things on you-tube criticizing that God likes praise and how he is an ego maniac, but realize that either you are giving glory to yourself, to the devil for negative things or you give the glory to God. There really is nothing else out there to give praise and admiration to. David said he would boast in the Lord.
But, "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." 2 Cor. 10:17
It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." 1 Cor. 10:17
And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord” Luke 1:46
My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Psalm 34:2
Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. Psalm 34:3
You can give praise and admiration to another human being, but that person was made in the image of God. I don’t see the problem with praising/complimenting other people within reason. I don’t believe that men or fathers give enough compliments away to their wives or their children. God compliments his bride. The compliments/encouragement that God gives his bride are the jewels and ornaments he adorns us with.
I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10
Your cheeks are beautiful with earrings, your neck with strings of jewels. Song of Solomon 1:10
Lift up your eyes and look around; all your sons gather and come to you. As surely as I live," declares the Lord, "you will wear them all as ornaments; you will put them on, like a bride. Isaiah 49:18
I’m saved by grace through faith, but now that I’ve got eternal life, what am I going to do with it? I can serve God out of obligation and duty or out of love. We are a “love” slave of Jesus Christ. Jude 1:1 and James 1:1
Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 1 Cor. 9:16
Then he said to the crowd, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? Luke 9:23-25
You’re So Vain/Carly Simon
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