Beyond Selfish
Narcissism is like a cancer which is earmarked by an unquenchable consumptiveness for both material goods and personal relationships. Although narcissism is beyond selfish it is often tagged as “selfish”, but it is a far more critical situation than mere selfishness. The narcissistic personality possesses a corrupt destructive characteristic which creates the inability for the narcissist to love and/or respect him/herself. The narcissist perceives everyone and everything for his/her use, abuse and disposal. For the narcissist there is neither anyone nor anything bigger than his/herself. (Not even God! - And this is one reason why most narcissists do not believe in God.)
The Lack of Positive Interactions
Consequently, there is an omission on the part of the narcissist to realize that society works on interactions. And, these interactions carry with them either a positive or negative outcome. Thus, the narcissistic personality is more concerned with style than content. To illustrate: Within a business environment a promotion becomes more important to the narcissist if it was received as a result of an association with the corporation's top charismatic, celebrity-type personalities, than by the actual ability of the individual to have the education, experience, expertise - in short the qualifications necessary for the performance required by the position. Hence this is truly the case of “who you know, rather than what you know.”
Self-Absorption vs. Self-Love
In the Bible there is a short scripture on self love that appears in numerous places throughout the Old and New Testaments. It has been referred to as the Royal Law. In essence it wraps all of the Ten Commandments up into several short sentences. Luke . Chapter ten verse twenty-seven:
“…love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself.” This scripture leads into the parable that Jesus told about the Good Samaritan. With the message being that everyone is your neighbor.
The narcissistic individual does not possess the trait of self-love, but on the contrary is self-absorbed. Add this to definite problems of being extremely insecure, and the narcissist will try to conceal from society their true self. They live in a fantasy world which requires them to wear a mask.
Another Name for Narcissism
This psychological-social ill that is plaguing the world, is know by another name other than narcissism. In fact it was called, “sins-of-the-flesh” long before the word narcissism was invented. Theologians, preachers, ministers of all denominations have wrestled with the same characteristics the Bible calls “sins-of-the-flesh” and modern psychology terms narcissism.
At this point terminology seems trivial. What is graphic is by whatever term this condition is referred by; it is deadly for society, as well as a person's spiritual growth.
Moses experienced narcissism en route to the Promise Land. In “Exodus” chapter sixteen verses one through eighteen the account is given how the Hebrew children were more concerned with their personal needs than of divine guidance. They seemed to forget that God had demonstrated His power mightily with numerous plagues to get hard hearted pharaoh's permission for the Hebrew children to leave Egypt. Then there was the awesome miracle of the Red Sea parting. And now they were grumbling about bread and meat? No wonder the Lord was angry with them. He had always met their needs and now they doubted Him.
When Samuel was a boy and understudy to the Priest Eli, he witnessed how narcissistic greed caused the family of Eli to loose the Priesthood.
1 Samuel, chapter two verse twenty-nine:
“Why do you (house of Eli) scorn my sacrifice and offering that I prescribe for my dwelling? Why do you honor your sons more than me by fattening yourselves on the choice parts of every offering made by my people Israel?”
Verse thirty:
“…but now the Lord declares “far be it from me! Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be distained.”
And a goodly number of the major and minor prophets lashed out against the very things we now know as narcissism! Jeremiah warned the people against seduction and sexual narcissism, and the greediness of the people including the clergy for gain. He also lamented about how living in excess results in ruin and destroys the good life of peace and prosperity.
Ezekiel spoke out against the traits of narcissism that such a life style God would not tolerate. He spoke out against corruption, consumptiveness, materialism. The prophet Amos repeatedly addressed the issues of complacency and putting personal desires above the needs of others. Zephaniah told the people: “This is the carefree city that lived in safety. She said to herself, “I am and there is none besides me.” What a ruin she has become, a lair for wild beasts! All who pass by her scoff and shake their fists.” Zephaniah , chapter two verse fifteen. And Haggai warned the people about consumptiveness and the fact no matter how much they gained they were never satisfied.
