Narcissist Traits:They Do Not Think They Are In Need of Help - A Pharisee Case Study.

The narcissistic Pharisees were in fact blind, even though they claimed that they could see. 

They were blind to the true condition of their hearts, thinking themselves to be righteous teachers and spiritual leaders, when in fact their hearts were full of evil thoughts, desires, and motives.  


Jesus later was very direct in pointing out to the Pharisees their blindness.

Matthew 23:15-26  

5 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites…. 

16 “Woe to you, blind guides…. 

 17 You fools and blind men…

19 You blind men…..

24 You blind guides……

26 You blind Pharisee…..

When you think about this in physical terms, it is unimaginable that a physically blind person would claim to be able see, since it would be obvious to himself and everyone around him that he was blind.   But in the unseen spiritual world, only the truly wise and discerning are able to tell the difference between spiritual seeing and blindness.

Fundamental Leadership Principles from the Book of Mark

 are called to stand out.

What exactly does the First Amendment say?
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Even though the Pharisees were blind, they did not recognize or admit that they were blind.  More than that, they were unwilling for anyone else to suggest that they were blind.  While they couched their challenge to Jesus in diplomatic terms, they undoubtedly were seething on the inside at any suggestion by Him that they were spirtually blind.

Proverbs 15:12

12 A scoffer does not love one who reproves him,
He will not go to the wise.

This is typical of narcissists, as even the secular literature discusses how narcissists

1. Do not think they need help
2. Will not admit (for some) that they are narcissists
3. Refuse to go to counseling
4. If they go to counseling, spend their time convincing the counselor why they don’t need help (or even try to turn the tables to try to make the counselor think that he is in the wrong)

There is mercy for those who admit they have an problem (or realize and admit that they are spiritually blind)…….

Proverbs 28:13 

13 He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.

But those who in their pride refuse to admit problems, sins, failures will not be able to make progress and will continue in that path of failure..

John 9:41

41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but since you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains..

This is similar to the parable which Jesus told at another time.

Luke 18:9-14

9 And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.12 I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Here is the entire passage where Jesus pointed out to the Pharisees their blindness…...

Matthew 23:15-26

15 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.

16 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, that is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple is obligated.’ 17 You fools and blind men! Which is more important, the gold or the temple that sanctified the gold? 18 And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, that is nothing, but whoever swears by the offering on it, he is obligated.’ 19 You blind men, which is [h]more important, the offering, or the altar that sanctifies the offering?20 Therefore, [k]whoever swears by the altar, swears both by the altar and by everything on it. 21 And whoever swears by the temple, swears bothby the temple and by Him who dwells within it. 22 And whoever swears by heaven, swears both by the throne of God and by Him who sits upon it.

23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. 24 You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!

25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. 26 You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also. 

Dealing with N's - Abandon a Quarrel. 

Proverbs 17:14 14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water, So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.

This verse brings to mind pin-pricking a balloon filled with water.  It does not just spring a little leak when pricked, but immediately gushes out all the water. 
You cannot hold it back once it starts.

A narcissist is constantly striving to exalt themselves in their hearts – battling anything that gets in the way.  Their pride makes them unable to admit that they are wrong.  Therefore, whenever a fact is in dispute (i.e. – who said what, who did what, etc.) it is impossible for them to concede that you were right and they were wrong.  This is true even if they made up the “fact” in question out of thin air.

If you directly engage the N in trying to get the record straight, you are walking straight into a conflict. 
If you do succeed in proving your point, the N will be angry that you proved them wrong. 
They will then attack you on how you approached the issue with statements like:  “Why do you always have to pick on me”, “You pick at every little thing I say”, “I try so hard”, “I can’t do anything right in your eyes”, etc.  


Because there is probably a little grain of truth to what they are saying, it will be impossible to defend yourself without continuing the strife.  So they’ve still got you.

In many cases, the issue about which you are trying to correct the record does not really matter, and you are likely arguing the point simply out of your own pride.  Maybe make your point once.  If the N pushes back out of their own drive to be correct, drop the issue without any final passive-aggressive digs at the N.  Then trust the Lord.  It may not seem right that you have to “concede”, but God will ultimately have the last say.

Narcissists are pros at shifting blame, covering up, lying their way out of things, and making you think it was your fault – all the while seeming to never really receive consequences for their actions commensurate with the pain which they have inflicted. 
Especially when they just flippantly move on to their next target.  


God claims that dealing out consequences to people is His turf, not ours. One reason He claims this turf for Himself is that He is far better at executing justice than we are – in the timing, nature, and purpose for that justice.  By letting Him handle the “vengeance” part, we can focus more on the forgiveness part – which is essential to our ultimate healing and honoring God in our lives.

God does not say that He might get around to dealing with people – He promises that He will do it. So part of turning retribution over to Him is to believe that when He says He will handle it, that He will.  But He will do it in His way, and in His timing. 

Narcissists are ultimately on a slippery slope….

Psalm 73:16-20

16 When I pondered to understand this,
It was troublesome in my sight
17 Until I came into the sanctuary of God;
Then I perceived their end.
18 Surely You set them in slippery places;
You cast them down to destruction.
19 How they are destroyed in a moment!
They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors!
20 Like a dream when one awakes,
O Lord, when aroused, You will despise their form.

“Narcissism” is the modern colloquial term for what the Bible calls “insolent pride” So, while challenging, we should not fret because of what evildoers are doing – God will deal with them far more effectively than we ever could – but should instead focus ourselves on doing what is right before Him.
The term which the Bible uses is “insolent pride”. We can know that “insolent pride” is the Biblical equivalent to “narcissism” because the characteristics of insolent pride line up with the traits of narcissism.

“Insolent pride” is more than just pride.  It is pride that is contemptuous, looking down on others.   Think of a queen that sees herself as above everyone else, as though they only exist to serve her.  

From Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissism)
Narcissism is the pursuit of gratification from vanity, or egotistic admiration of one’s own physical or mental attributes, that derive from arrogant pride. The term originated with Narcissus in Greek mythology who fell in love with his own image reflected in a pool of water.

A biblical study of narcissism can begin with a study of “insolent pride”, “scoffers”, and “haughtiness”.

See here for more on secular definitions of narcissism

See here for more on the biblical hebrew definition of “insolent pride”

See here for more on the biblical hebrew definition of “proud”

See here for more on the biblical hebrew definition of “haughty”

See here for more on the biblical hebrew definition of “scoffer”

Cowards or Overcomers? 

What branch of government has the power of impeachment?

The Constitution gives the House of Representatives the sole power to impeach an official, and it makes the Senate the sole court for impeachment trials.

Standing Strong on God's Word. 

In a challenge to those who are afraid to speak out on moral issues addressed in the Bible, a chilling passage—a warning from God about the most catastrophic indictment a nation will face someday: 

America cannot ignore parts of God’s Word because they are unpopular or cause division. 

Our commission is to proclaim Christ and all He stands for. This is what church presence is all about. We cannot sincerely proclaim the truth of God’s love while ignoring what He hates, and God hates sin. 

His love pours out the remedy for sin that holds mankind in bondage. It is found in His unmerited grace—the gift of salvation. 

For this reason, the whole Gospel must be preached, as demonstrated by the Apostle Paul.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes … For in it the righteousness of God is revealed” (Romans 1:16-17). What immediately follows this bold declaration demonstrates the importance of God’s entire message to the human race. Paul wrote in connection to the Gospel: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them … so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God … but became futile in their thoughts. … Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for a lie” (Romans 1:18-21, 24-25).

If we as God’s people refuse to speak about sin because it will make others uncomfortable, we are cowards. We are called to sound the alarm, warning them that God demands obedience to His perfect law, which is designed for the good of the human race. Do not miss the staggering truth that God’s law brings about contentment. “The law of the Lord is perfect … rejoicing the heart” (Psalm 19:7-8). Those who reject this truth reveal that they do not know Him. “Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God. … His commandments are not burdensome … and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith” (1 John 3:10, 5:3-4). True faith is what empowers us to speak God’s Word and live it before an unbelieving world.

Someone has said: “To sin by silence when they should protest turns people into cowards.” The definition of a coward is one who refuses to do the right thing for fear of consequences. This certainly falls short of possessing godly character.

Just as our nation has drifted from the strict interpretation of the U.S. Constitution, so has the church seriously drifted from taking God at His Word. Sin is destructive to people, to families, to nations and to the church. Sinful behavior that is excused and repackaged as personal choice is Satan’s greatest deception. His greatest victories today take place within the church by those who remain silent; who are not aware of his divisive presence. The Body of Christ must recognize that we have allowed Satan to distract us with non-essentials. It is time to get back to the basic teaching of God’s Word. It is cowardice to excuse sin by claiming we have no right to judge what God has already judged. There is only one personal choice that decides where we spend eternity; if we choose Christ and all He stands for, we gain Heaven; if we deny Christ’s Word, we are cowards and deserve hell.

The Remnant.

Let’s overcome cowardice with courage. Let’s be fearless ambassadors of Christ and stand strong for the glory of God our Savior, pulling others from the fire of eternal judgment 

(Jude 23).