04/08/22 NARCISSISM, THE LIFE OF SELFISM AND PRIDE

04/08/22 NARCISSISM, THE LIFE OF SELFISM AND PRIDE

Please read and think on this post. There are people with Christian backgrounds who have fallen under the destructive forces of NARCISSISM. I will share some of the symptoms of this terrible condition.

Displayed in many different ways, SELFISM aka NARCISSISM, is a major destroyer of individuals, families, churches, society. Basic selfishness, selfism is the beginning and leads to a hyper form of NARCISSISM, however, this article addresses a level that is totally destructive and may never be overcome. As I have said, this is ruinous to individuals (to the point of being viewed as a mental disorder), it is ruinous to families and may ruin the lives of family members for a lifetime.

As with any sin, if it is not dealt with, it will intensify, spread, control a person. There is much about modern psychology and mental health practice that is warped and dominated by a Secular, and Humanistic worldview. Still, there is such a sin as selfism and when a person does not accept their selfishness as sin, nor accept the deliverance of Christ from this terrible sin, they will eventually be so overtaken that they will be totally dominated.

As with alcohol, drugs, addictions, fears, perversions, anorexia nervosa, the person will move into denial and violence (to self or other people), thus making them even less likely to get help. Make no mistake about the dangers of this condition. It can lead to medical and psychological help, including the administration of drugs and psychiatric therapy.

Remember, worldly solutions are band aids, not actual cures. It is better to turn from sin while God is calling rather than wait for society to put a social straight jacket on a life out of control.

I will share some thoughts that I have gleaned from other studies, but this does not mean that I agree with the basic philosophy of these worldly groups. In fact, sin is the real problem, but if sin is not dealt with, the whole person (body, soul, spirit) becomes victimized.

This first list comes from the MAYO CLINIC. They refer to this problem as NARCISSISTIC PERSONALITY DISORDER.

SYMPTOMS
Signs and symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder and the severity of symptoms vary.

People with the disorder can:
1. Have an exaggerated sense of self-importance
2. Have a sense of entitlement and require constant, excessive admiration
3. Expect to be recognized as superior even without achievements that warrant it
4. Exaggerate achievements and talents
5. Be preoccupied with fantasies about success, power, brilliance, beauty or the perfect mate
6. Believe they are superior and can only associate with equally special people
7. Monopolize conversations and belittle or look down on people they perceive as inferior
8. Expect special favors and unquestioning compliance with their expectations
9. Take advantage of others to get what they want
10. Have an inability or unwillingness to recognize the needs and feelings of others
11. Be envious of others and believe others envy them
12. Behave in an arrogant or haughty manner, coming across as conceited, boastful and pretentious
13. Insist on having the best of everything — for instance, the best car or office.

At the same time, people with narcissistic personality disorder have trouble handling anything they perceive as criticism, and they can:
14. Become impatient or angry when they don't receive special treatment
15. Have significant interpersonal problems and easily feel slighted
16. React with rage or contempt and try to belittle the other person to make themselves appear superior
17. Have difficulty regulating emotions and behavior
18. Experience major problems dealing with stress and adapting to change
19. Feel depressed and moody because they fall short of perfection
20. Have secret feelings of insecurity, shame, vulnerability and humiliation.

ANOTHER WEBSITE that deals with NARCISSISM used these categories as well.
A. Perfectionism
B. Great need for control
C. Lack of responsibility
D. Lack of boundaries
E. Lack of empathy
F. Perceiving everything as a threat
G. Emotional reasoning
H. Splitting (divisiveness)
I. Fear of rejection and ridicule
J. Anxiety
K. Deeply repressed shame
L. An inability to be truly vulnerable
M. An inability to communicate or work as part of a team.

I also commented...

This issue is not a new revelation to me.

I have taught and preached and counseled these Biblical principles for over half of a century. The problem is that some people erroneously think that my constant cry is either just a personal view or a narrow religious view.

 

IT IS NOT.

Though it is a Biblical truth and it is my own belief, it is a recognized "disorder" and a social malady that can result in being committed to a mental facility, a life of mind controlling, prescription drug usage or psychiatric therapy. It is better to deal with sin through Jesus than get to the point you lose self determination.

This ME-ISM is traced back to the Baby Boomers but it has been raised to a more dominant position by more recent generations. The Me-ism of the Boomers has morphed into an uncontrollable monster society.