Narcissism

Scripture:  Psalm 36: 1-4  “Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in his heart; there is no fear of God before his eyes. For he flatters himself in his own eyes that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated.  The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit; he has ceased to act wisely and do good.  He plots trouble while on his bed; he sets himself in a way that is not good; he does not reject evil.”

​Observations:  Psalm 36 starts as a lament and turns to praise. “Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.”  (Psalm 36:5) Thank the Lord for that!  I can’t help but feel back for Moses.  He led the fight to conquer Og, and then begged God to let him go over to the Promised Land, but because of his mistake of disobedience, the Lord only allowed him to see the land.  Obedience is so urgently important!  That is what Moses commanded in chapter 4. He commanded that the Israelites remember and pass on what they remember to their children.  What other nation had received the benefits that Israel had received from God.  He warned them that if they provoke God to anger with idols they would be destroyed, but also “…the LORD your God is a merciful God.  He will not leave you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers that he swore to them.” (Deut 4:31) Moses reminded them that the Lord alone IS God.  In Mark 13, Jesus answered questions about end times.  There would be wars, earthquakes, famines and that is only the beginning of birth pains.  I believe we are in the pains of birth now. There will be many false Christs, but we are to be on guard.  The son of man will come in the clouds with great power and glory and will gather his people up to heaven.  We don’t know when this will happen, so we must be alert and aware. Makes me think of of 1 Peter 5:8: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

Application:  I know the Scripture I chose today seems like a downer, but sometimes we have to be reminded that not everyone is interested in our well-being.   This morning I felt compelled to look up narcissism and I found this:
Signs and symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder

• Grandiose sense of self-importance. ...
• Lives in a fantasy world that supports their delusions of grandeur. ...
• Needs constant praise and admiration. ...
• Sense of entitlement. ...
• Exploits others without guilt or shame. ...
• Frequently demeans, intimidates, bullies, or belittles others.

These types are out there, and they prey on people with low self-esteem – people who have been hurt in the past, or who are lonely.  They convince people they love them, when really they are using them to feed their narcissistic needs. These people will not see heaven unless they change their ways. They would be the ones who cause the little ones to turn away from Jesus.  Run from them. 

Prayer:  Lord, I have friends in my life who have been hurt by narcissistic behavior.  They are enmeshed in unhealthy relationships.  I pray today Lord that you will break the strongholds these people have on my friends.  Lord, let justice be yours, but protect my friends so they cannot be hurt any further. I plead this Lord in the precious name of Jesus.  Cut the binds that tie them, and let them be bound to Jesus!

Tomorrow’s Reading  Deuteronomy 5:6;Psalm 43; Mark 14