Narcissism & the Bible
Is our President, Donald J. Trump a Narcissist?
– Will he be a blessing or a curse?
First Word
·
Narcissism is a big 25 cent word
that most of us have never used, so I feel a need to unpack the enormous area which
it covers as it is considered a mental disorder as well as a social or cultural
problem. - It is the pursuit of gratification
from vanity or egotistic admiration of one's own attributes. The
narcissist displays a high level of selfishness and sees everything from a “How
does this affect ME?”
·
The Narcissists cookbook
has the following "basic ingredients" - Wikipedia -
·
Positive: Narcissists think they
are better than others.
·
Inflated: Narcissists' views tend
to be contrary to reality. - In measures, that compare self-report to objective
measures, narcissists' self-views tend to be greatly exaggerated.
·
Agentic: Narcissists’ views tend
to be most exaggerated in the agentic domain, relative to the communion
domain. – Agentic; Unconscious or involuntary tendency to become an
actor with feelings of an “illusion of control” that takes credit for events
that they did not cause.
·
Special: Narcissists perceive
themselves to be unique and special people.
·
Selfish: Research upon
narcissists’ behavior in resource dilemmas supports the case for narcissists as
being selfish.
·
Oriented toward
success:
Narcissists are oriented towards success by being, for example, approach
oriented. - Wikipedia -
Definition
·
A 2012 book on Power-Hungry Narcissists suggests that narcissists
typically display most, and sometimes all, of the following traits: - (Wikipedia) -
1. An obvious self-focus in
interpersonal exchanges
2. Problems in sustaining
satisfying relationships
3. A lack of psychological
awareness
4. Difficulty
with empathy
5. Problems distinguishing
the self from others
6. Hypersensitivity to any
insults or imagined insults
7. Vulnerability to shame rather
than guilt
8. Haughty body language
9. Flattery towards people
who admire and affirm them - (Narcissistic supply)
10. Detesting those who do not
admire them
11. Using other people without
considering the cost of doing so - (Narcissistic supply)
12. Pretending to be more
important than they actually are
13. Bragging and exaggerating their
achievements
14. Claiming to be an
"expert" at many things
15. Inability to view the
world from the perspective of other people
16. Denial of remorse and gratitude
·
Narcissistic
supply is
a term typically used in a negative sense, describing a pathological or
excessive need for attention or admiration from co-dependents, or
such a need in the orally fixated, that does not take into account the
feelings, opinions or preferences of other people.
NPD Diagnostic
Bible
·
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
NPD definition:
·
DSM 5 is the newest “Bible”
from the American Psychiatric Association that defines and classifies
mental disorders. – (As you read this; consider
our congressmen, senators and President.)
·
In
order to qualify for a diagnosis of NPD, the following criteria must be met:
1. Having an exaggerated
sense of self-importance
2. Expecting to be recognized
as superior even without achievements that warrant it
3. Exaggerating achievements
and talents
4. Being preoccupied with
fantasies about success, power, brilliance, beauty or the perfect mate
5. Believing that you are
superior and can only be understood by or associate with equally special people
6. Requiring constant
admiration
7. Having a sense of
entitlement
8. Expecting special favors
and unquestioning compliance with your expectations
9. Taking advantage of others
to get what you want
10. Having an inability or
unwillingness to recognize the needs and feelings of others
11. Being envious of others
and believing others envy you
12. Behaving in an arrogant or
haughty manner
7 Deadly
Sins
·
THE SEVEN
DEADLY SINS OF NARCISSISM – Wikipedia -
1. Shamelessness: Shame is the feeling
that lurks beneath all unhealthy narcissism, and the inability to process shame
in healthy ways.
2. Magical thinking: Narcissists see
themselves as perfect, using distortion and illusion known as magical
thinking. They also use projection to "dump" shame onto others.
3. Arrogance: A narcissist who is
feeling deflated may "re-inflate" their sense of self-importance by
diminishing, debasing, or degrading somebody else.
4. Envy: A narcissist may secure
a sense of superiority in the face of another person's ability by using
contempt to minimize the other person or their achievements.
5. Entitlement: Narcissists hold
unreasonable expectations of particularly favorable treatment and automatic
compliance because they consider themselves special. - Failure to comply is
considered an attack on their superiority, and the perpetrator is considered an
"awkward" or "difficult" person. - Defiance of their will
is a narcissistic injury that can trigger narcissistic rage.
6. Exploitation: Can take many forms but
always involves the exploitation of others without regard for their feelings or
interests. Often the other person is in a subservient position where resistance
would be difficult or even impossible. Sometimes the subservience is not so
much real as assumed.
7. Bad boundaries: Narcissists do not
recognize that they have boundaries and that others are separate and are not
extensions of themselves. Others either exist to meet their needs or may as
well not exist at all. Those who provide “narcissistic supply” to
the narcissist are treated as if they are part of the narcissist and are
expected to live up to those expectations. In the mind of a narcissist, there
is no boundary between self and other.
·
Egocentrism is a term used to show how
infants function in the world where everything is about them. - Narcissism is
like egocentrism in that the adult still relates to the world like an infant. -
They use defense mechanisms to idealize self so that they do not have to face
their own mistakes and flaws; the Book would
call this SIN.
– See the following verses -
Matthew 7:16 – You
will know a Narcissists by THEIR WORKS
16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
(ESV)
Titus 1:16 – DENY GOD by DETESTABLE
DISOBEDIENT WORKS
16 They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
16 They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
(ESV)
Acts 12:21-23 – They love the SOUND OF THEIR OWN VOICE
21 On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them.
22 And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!”
23 Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he
Acts 12:21-23 – They love the SOUND OF THEIR OWN VOICE
21 On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them.
22 And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!”
23 Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he
did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by
worms and breathed his last. (ESV)
Luke 20:46-47 –
Narcissists loves greetings PLACES OF HONOR
46 “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts,
47 who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”
46 “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts,
47 who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”
(ESV)
Psalm 36:1-3 – FLATTERS himself
– Speaks TROUBLE & DECEIT
1 Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in
his heart; there is
no fear of God before his eyes.
2 For he flatters himself in his own eyes that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated.
3 The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit; he has ceased to act wisely and do good.
2 For he flatters himself in his own eyes that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated.
3 The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit; he has ceased to act wisely and do good.
(ESV)
Proverbs 17:22 – A
narcissists CRUSHES THE SPIRIT
22 A joyful heart is good
medicine, but a crushed spirit dries
up the bones.
(ESV)
1 Peter 5:5-6 – God opposes
the PROUD
5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for
5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for
“God opposes the proud but
gives grace to the humble.”
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,
(ESV)
Proverbs 16:18 –
PRIDE & HAUGHY SPIRIT goes before the fall
18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. (ESV)
18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. (ESV)
Proverbs 18:12 – A HAUGHTY spirit
brings destruction
12 Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. (ESV)
12 Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. (ESV)
Jeremiah 17:9 –
Without God the heart is DESPERATELY SICK
9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? ESV)
9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? ESV)
Mark 7:21-23 – Without God our hearts have EVIL THOUGHTS
21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,
22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.
23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”
21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,
22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.
23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”
25 lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself
in a snare.
(ESV)
Romans 16:17-19 –
Avoid people with OBSTACLES & DIVISIONS
17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; AVOID THEM.
18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
19 For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. (ESV)
17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; AVOID THEM.
18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
19 For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. (ESV)
Proverbs 22:24 – Don’t
befriend those with ANGER & WRATH
24 Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, (ESV)
24 Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, (ESV)
1 Corinthians 5:11-13 –
Don’t associate with GREEDY SWINDLERS
11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—
11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—
NOT
EVEN TO EAT WITH SUCH A ONE.
12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?
13 God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.” (ESV)
12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?
13 God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.” (ESV)
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 – The
UNRIGHTEOUS will go to Hell
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will NOT inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,
10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers WILL INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will NOT inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,
10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers WILL INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
(ESV)
Revelation 21:8 - Lake
of fire for DETESTABLE & FAITHLESS
8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” (ESV)
8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” (ESV)
President
Trump
·
While searching the
internet
for examples of Narcissism, I was overwhelmed with the number of blogs about
our President Donald J. Trump,
so I felt a need to mention him here.
·
In my early years I
admired him because of his
accomplishments in real estate, and I patterned my investments after him,
owning multiple rentals and flipping properties. - I instilled this in my three
children and they also owned multiple properties.
·
When Trump ran for
President,
I could not have been more pleased, till I heard him speak. The more he spoke the further from the Bible
I saw him. I did not know that there was
a term to describe what I was observing, but it seemed to me to be Narcissism;
a sickness.
·
The
scripture that
put a check in my spirt the most was from Second Timothy describing someone that
you should STAY
AWAY FROM; lover of self, lover of money, proud,
arrogant, abusive, ungrateful, unappeasable, slanderous,
without self-control, reckless
and swollen with conceit. - With all that said, I do believe Trump is
patriot and I wanted what he wanted; to make America Great again.
·
So, I held my nose and voted for Mike Pence,
a Christian
Vice-President and his running
mate. -- Because I know it pleases
the Lord, I PRAY OFTEN for Trump that he will
grow in the Lord and will be guided and surrounded by Godly council. – No
matter whether we like it or not, He has been chosen by God and is worthy of our respect
and our prayers.
·
NOTE: King
Nebuchadnezzar was the enemy of Israel and of God, yet God called him His servant;
and Israel got a horrible spanking. - God in His Sovereignty will use who He wishes
to accomplish His plan; what we don’t know yet is whether Trump will be used as
a Blessing or a Curse. – IT’S IN THE
BOOK -
2 Timothy 3:1-5 – Avoid such people
1 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.
1 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.
Jeremiah 25:9 – Nebuchadnezzar God’s Enemy and
Servant
9 behold, I will send for all the tribes of the north, declares the LORD, and for NEBUCHADNEZZAR THE KING OF BABYLON,
9 behold, I will send for all the tribes of the north, declares the LORD, and for NEBUCHADNEZZAR THE KING OF BABYLON,
MY SERVANT, and I will bring them
AGAINST this land and its inhabitants, and against all these surrounding
nations. I will devote them to DESTRUCTION, and make them a horror,
a hissing, and an everlasting DESOLATION. - NLT
Romans 13:1 – GOD PLACED TRUMP IN THE
OFFICE OF PRESIDENT
1 Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority
1 Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority
have been placed there by God. (NLT)
1 Peter 2:13-14 – Respect our President
13 For the Lord’s sake, respect all human authority—whether the king as head of state,
14 or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right. (NLT)
13 For the Lord’s sake, respect all human authority—whether the king as head of state,
14 or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right. (NLT)
1 Timothy 2:1-3 – Pray for our President – It
pleases God
1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—
2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, (NIV2011)
1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—
2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, (NIV2011)
It’s
in the Book
·
From a Biblical
perspective,
Narcissism refers to a person with a “heart condition”; one who is sick. - The root
cause of this condition is PRIDE; a deep pleasure or satisfaction from
one’s own perceived achievement. The Book calls
pride; Sin. - Jesus said, “I tell you
the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin.
·
The Book
says that
the trouble is with ME, for I am all too
human, a slave to sin. - I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right,
but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. - I know that nothing
good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is
right, but I can’t. – There is a power within me that is at war with my mind.
This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.
·
We are all born narcissists and by our very own human
nature we are slaves, captive to our flesh; it’s all about ME. - This changes
when we HUMBLE ourselves and surrender our flesh to the Lord and become
transformed and set free. Jesus Christ
came to heal the blindness and set the narcissistic captive slaves free;
that would be you and me. - Thank God! The answer is in Jesus
Christ our Lord.
·
Jesus said that a
slave is
not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family
forever and when
the Son sets you free, you are truly free.
Isaiah 42:7 – Jesus will open our blind eyes and
set us free
7 You will open the eyes of the blind. You will free the captives from prison, releasing those who sit in dark dungeons. (NLT)
7 You will open the eyes of the blind. You will free the captives from prison, releasing those who sit in dark dungeons. (NLT)
Luke 4:18 – Faith releases the blind captive
slaves to freedom
18 The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, (NLT)
18 The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, (NLT)
Romans 7:14-25 – The trouble is with me, I’m a
slave to sin
14 So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good.
14 So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good.
The trouble is with me, for I am all too
human, a slave to sin.
15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.
16 But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good.
17 So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
18 And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t.
19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.
20 But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
21 I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.
22 I love God’s law with all my heart.
23 But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.
24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?
25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. (NLT)
15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.
16 But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good.
17 So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
18 And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t.
19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.
20 But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
21 I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.
22 I love God’s law with all my heart.
23 But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.
24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?
25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. (NLT)
John 8:34-36 – Everyone who sins is a SLAVE to sin
34 Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin.
35 A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever.
36 So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. (NLT)
34 Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin.
35 A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever.
36 So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. (NLT)
15 Step Cure
·
15 conditions in Bible
scripture that will heal you of narcissism; BEING FULL OF YOURSELF.
1.
You boast of your talents and achievements - Give credit to others for their efforts
2. Believe
that you are better than others - Be humble – Think of others interest
3. See
others as inferior with disgust- Ask God to be
merciful to you; a sinner
4. Expect
others to follow you; no advice needed - Seek
many counselors’ to have wisdom
5. Expect
and deserve special treatment - Take the lowest
place at the foot of the table
6.
Desire, expect and love praise - Give God the glory – Point to Him
7.
Desire power and success - Be the servant;
take the last place
8.
You are un-emotional and tough – God
will take away your stony stubborn heart
9.
Feel determined to climb the ladder
higher - Not about YOU; Put your “I WILLS” aside
10. You
find a way to take advantage of people - Give
your workers the wages that are due
11. Don’t
notice others emotions and feelings - Involve
yourself with others; enjoy them
12. Feel
others are jealous of you - Expect the best
intent of others
13. Your Self-esteem
is super sensitive - Be happy
with others success; celebrate with them
14. Feel
you don’t have a real friend - Jesus will
stick closer to you than a brother
15. Feel
rejected - Feelings get hurt easy - Jesus was
rejected so you would not be
BOAST OF YOUR TALENTS AND
ACHIEVEMENTS
Judges 8:1-3 – Give credit to others for their efforts
1 Then the people of Ephraim asked Gideon, “Why have you treated us this way? Why didn’t you send for us when you first went out to fight the Midianites?” And they argued heatedly with Gideon.
2 But Gideon replied, “What have I accomplished compared to you? Aren’t even the leftover grapes of Ephraim’s harvest better than the entire crop of my little clan of Abiezer?
3 God gave you victory over Oreb and Zeeb, the commanders of the Midianite army. What have I accomplished compared to that?” When the men of Ephraim heard Gideon’s answer, their anger subsided. (NLT)
1 Then the people of Ephraim asked Gideon, “Why have you treated us this way? Why didn’t you send for us when you first went out to fight the Midianites?” And they argued heatedly with Gideon.
2 But Gideon replied, “What have I accomplished compared to you? Aren’t even the leftover grapes of Ephraim’s harvest better than the entire crop of my little clan of Abiezer?
3 God gave you victory over Oreb and Zeeb, the commanders of the Midianite army. What have I accomplished compared to that?” When the men of Ephraim heard Gideon’s answer, their anger subsided. (NLT)
BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS
Philippians 2:1-8 – Be humble – Think of others
interest
1 Is there any encouragement
from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in
the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate?
2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.
3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.
4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form,
8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. (NLT)
2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.
3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.
4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form,
8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. (NLT)
SEE OTHERS AS
INFERIOR WITH DISGUST
Luke 18:9-14 – Ask God to be merciful to you; a
sinner
9 Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else:
10 Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector.
11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don’t cheat, I don’t sin, and I don’t commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector!
12 I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’
13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’
14 I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (NLT)
9 Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else:
10 Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector.
11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don’t cheat, I don’t sin, and I don’t commit adultery. I’m certainly not like that tax collector!
12 I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’
13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’
14 I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (NLT)
EXPECT OTHERS TO
FOLLOW YOU; NO ADVICE NEEDED
Proverbs 11:14 – Seek many counselors’ to have
wisdom
14 Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers. (NLT)
14 Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers. (NLT)
DESERVE AND EXPECT
SPECIAL TREATMENT
Luke 14:7-11 – Take the lowest place at the foot
of the table
7 When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice:
8 When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited?
9 The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table!
10 Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests.
11 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (NLT)
7 When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice:
8 When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited?
9 The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table!
10 Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests.
11 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (NLT)
DESIRE, EXPECT
AND LOVE PRAISE
Acts 12:21-23 – Give God the glory – Point to Him
21 and an appointment with Herod was granted. When the day arrived, Herod put on his royal robes, sat on his throne, and made a speech to them.
22 The people gave him a great ovation, shouting, “It’s the voice of a god, not of a man!”
23 Instantly, an angel of the Lord struck Herod with a sickness, because he accepted the people’s worship instead of giving the glory to God. So he was consumed with worms and died. (NLT)
21 and an appointment with Herod was granted. When the day arrived, Herod put on his royal robes, sat on his throne, and made a speech to them.
22 The people gave him a great ovation, shouting, “It’s the voice of a god, not of a man!”
23 Instantly, an angel of the Lord struck Herod with a sickness, because he accepted the people’s worship instead of giving the glory to God. So he was consumed with worms and died. (NLT)
DESIRE POWER AND SUCCESS
Mark 10:42-45 – Be the servant; take the last
place
42 So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them.
43 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant,
44 and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else.
45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (NLT)
42 So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them.
43 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant,
44 and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else.
45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (NLT)
YOU ARE UN-EMOTIONAL AND TOUGH
Ezekiel 11:19 – God will take away your stony
stubborn heart
19 And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart, (NLT)
19 And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart, (NLT)
FEEL DETERMINED
TO CLIMB THE LADDER HIGHER
Isaiah 14:13-15 – Put your “I WILLS” aside – It’s
not about you
13 You said in your heart, ‘I WILL ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I WILL set my throne on high; I WILL sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north;
14 I WILL ascend above the heights of the clouds; I WILL make myself like the Most High.’
15 But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit. (ESV)
13 You said in your heart, ‘I WILL ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I WILL set my throne on high; I WILL sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north;
14 I WILL ascend above the heights of the clouds; I WILL make myself like the Most High.’
15 But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit. (ESV)
FIND A WAY TO TAKE
ADVANTAGE OF PEOPLE
James 5:1-4 – Give your workers the wages that are
due
1 Look here, you rich people: Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you.
2 Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags.
3 Your gold and silver have become worthless. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This treasure you have accumulated will stand as evidence against you on the Day of Judgment.
4 For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The wages you held back cry out against you. The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. (NLT)
1 Look here, you rich people: Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you.
2 Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags.
3 Your gold and silver have become worthless. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This treasure you have accumulated will stand as evidence against you on the Day of Judgment.
4 For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The wages you held back cry out against you. The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. (NLT)
DON’T NOTICE
OTHERS EMOTIONS AND FEELINGS
Romans 12:15-16 – Involve yourself with others;
enjoy them
15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.
16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! (NLT)
15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.
16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! (NLT)
FEEL OTHERS ARE
JEALOUS OF YOU
1 Samuel 17:26-29 – Expect the best intent of
others
26 David asked the soldiers standing nearby, “What will a man get for killing this Philistine and ending his defiance of Israel? Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?”
27 And these men gave David the same reply. They said, “Yes, that is the reward for killing him.”
28 But when David’s oldest brother, Eliab, heard David talking to the men, he was angry. “What are you doing around here anyway?” he demanded. “What about those few sheep you’re supposed to be taking care of? I know about your pride and deceit. You just want to see the battle!”
29 What have I done now?” David replied. “I was only asking a question!” (NLT)
26 David asked the soldiers standing nearby, “What will a man get for killing this Philistine and ending his defiance of Israel? Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?”
27 And these men gave David the same reply. They said, “Yes, that is the reward for killing him.”
28 But when David’s oldest brother, Eliab, heard David talking to the men, he was angry. “What are you doing around here anyway?” he demanded. “What about those few sheep you’re supposed to be taking care of? I know about your pride and deceit. You just want to see the battle!”
29 What have I done now?” David replied. “I was only asking a question!” (NLT)
SELF-ESTEEM IS SUPER SENSITIVE
1 Samuel 18:7-9 – Be happy and enjoy others
success
7 And the women sang to one another as they celebrated, “Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands.”
8 And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but the kingdom?”
9 And Saul eyed David from that day on. (ESV)
7 And the women sang to one another as they celebrated, “Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands.”
8 And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but the kingdom?”
9 And Saul eyed David from that day on. (ESV)
FEEL THAT YOU
REALLY DON’T HAVE A FRIEND
Proverbs 18:24 – Jesus will stick closer to you
than a brother
24 There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. (NLT)
24 There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. (NLT)
FEEL REJECTED – YOUR
FEELINGS GET HURT EASY
Isaiah 53:3-5 - Jesus was rejected so you would
not be
3 He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. (ESV)
3 He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. (ESV)
Last
Thoughts
·
Egocentrism is when an adult still relates
to the world like a child, using TWEETS, bulling and fear,
calling people names like Pocahontas and Little Rocket Man. – Ponder that -
·
The Book
says that
the answer to narcissism is to have Love in your heart; love is patient and kind,
it’s never jealous, boastful or proud. Love
never demands its own way, nor is it irritable and with love in your spirit you
don’t keep records and try “to get even” with folks that hurt you.
·
Love is dependable and does not give up, it
never loses faith and is always hopeful; it endures every circumstance. – Three
things last forever: Faith – Hope – Love,
but the greatest of these is Love. – Love will cover a multitude of
sins.
·
If you are sick with
narcissism,
then get the cure; Get Love – Get God -
God is Love –
·
We are created Eternal and will live for all
eternity somewhere. - God loved us so much that he sacrificed His only
begotten Son, Jesus the Christ that we would have a FREE WILL opportunity to CHOOSE to
experience Him and His eternal love instead of eternal His wrath. - NYOBS 75.15 – PRE-EXISTANCE –
·
Satan tells you that ALL the spokes in a
wheel lead to the SAME hub, but God says there
is only ONE
WAY to the Father and that’s the
belief in His only Son; Jesus the Christ.
·
Choices
we make on this side of life have eternal consequences. -
Live is
choice driven –
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 –
Love is not boastful, proud or jealous
4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud
5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.
6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.
7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (NLT)
4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud
5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.
6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.
7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (NLT)
1 Corinthians 13:13 - The greatest of these is love
13 Three things will last forever—faith, hope,
and love—and the greatest of these is love. (NLT)
1 Peter 4:8 - Love covers a multitude of sins.
8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.(ESV)
8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.(ESV)
1 John 4:16 - God is love
16 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. GOD IS LOVE, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. (NLT)
16 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. GOD IS LOVE, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. (NLT)
1 John 4:8 Anyone who
does not LOVE does not know God
8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
John 3:16-17 – God loves us so much He gave His
Son
16 For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that EVERYONE who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world
17 not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. (NLT)
16 For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that EVERYONE who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world
17 not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. (NLT)
John 14:6 – There is only ONE
WAY to God; Jesus Christ
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. (NLT)
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. (NLT)
In the
multitude of counselors,
there is wisdom.
Proverbs 11:14
I am grateful to those that went before me
providing concepts, ideas, historical
information, and scripture verses. Because of them I can stand on their
shoulders
and see further that I otherwise ever could
have.
A Commentary; Critical,
Experimental and Practical - Eerdmans
All the Women of the Bible – Edith
Deen
Antiquity of the Jews – Flavius
Josephus Matthias
Apocrypha – Goodspeed
Baker Commentary on the
Bible – Elwell
Bible Almanac; The – Packer-Tenney-White
Bible Commentary – F.B. Meyer
Bible Dictionary – Harper and Row
Bible Dictionary – Nelson’s
Bible Hub.com
Book of Mormon; The – Latter
Day Saints LDS
Dake’s Annotated Bible – Dake
English Standard Version
Bible – ESV
Expositor’s Bible
Commentary – Frank E. Gaebelein
Forgotten Books of Eden; The – World
Illustrated Bible
Dictionary; The – Tyndale
Interlinear Greek-English
New Testament - Baker
King James Version Bible –
KJV
Lost Books of the Bible; The - World
Lost Books of the Bible; The - Bell
Matthew Henry’s Commentary - Zondervan
Missing Books of the Bible; The – Halo Press
Mormon
Mirage; The – Latayne Colvett Scott
Mysteries of the Bible – Readers Digest
Nag Hammadi Library; The – James M. Robinson
Nave’s Topical Bible - Zondervan
New International
Dictionary of the Bible; The – Douglas -
Tenney
New International Version
Bible (2011) – NIV
NOTE: The “new” NIV has
been corrupted & made gender neutral. AVOID IT.
Secrets of the Dead Sea Scrolls – Hugh J.
Schonfield
Thru the Bible – J. Vernon
McGee
Vincent’s Word Studies of
the New Testament – Mac Donald
Who’s Who in the Bible – Paul D. Gardner
Wycliffe Bible Commentary;
The – Pfeiffer & Harrison
Wikipedia –
Zondervan Pictorial
Encyclopedia of the Bible; The – Tenney
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