A Biblical Perspective On Narcissism| Avoiding Accountability

A Biblical Perspective On Narcissism

They Refuse To Acknowledge Error- “When they brought them, they stood them before the Council.  The high priest questions them, saying, ‘”We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.'” Acts 5:27-28. The very people who stirred up the crowds to ask Pilate to release Barabbas and crucify Jesus, were the same ones who later tried to avoid being pegged and responsible for Jesus’ death.  This is a classic narcissist move-seeking to be above accountability for their actions, despite clear opposing evidence.”

The Pharisees Justified Themselves In the Sight Of Men-  “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and Wealth.” “Now the Pharisees, who are lovers of money were listening to all these things and were scoffing at Him.  And He said to them, ‘You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.” Luke 16:13-15.

“This a clear example of narcissists’ tactics.  In their hearts, the Pharisees were focused on money and the ‘finer things of life’ that it would bring.  But in their pride, they also wanted to be highly thought of by men for their piety (including the all-sufficiently of God).  Jesus called out their hypocrisy and created a dilemma for them with His statement.  That they could not make both God and money number one in their lives; with the clear implication that they had chosen money over God.

The narcissistic Pharisees had two ways of dealing with this. First was to mock (or scoff at) the One telling them they could not have it both ways.  Their intent is to tear down, from a position of “superiority,” and discredit the one getting in way of their greed and pride:

He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, and he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself.  Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you, reprove a wise man and he will love you.

Proverbs 9:7-8

They hate him who reproves in the gate, and they abhor him who speaks with integrity.

Amos 5:10

Second, is to make justification (in modern terms- making excuses).  Or to construct a clever series of reasons, for what they were doing. For the purpose of making people around them agree with them and continue to think highly of them. 

But Jesus made it clear to them that even though they may get away with fooling men, they were not fooling God.  God saw their hearts and judged them based on that. Not on what the Pharisees had led others believe. They might get short term kudos from men for how wonderful they are. But would finally have to answer to God for the evil in their hearts.   

Citation: DC Robertsson, The First Will Be Last, A Biblical Perspective On Narcissism,  page 93-94

The First Will Be The Last