If we rage, we have our answer that we may be a narcissist. If we are reasonable and discuss a matter then perhaps we do not have a problem with arrogance, at least not as a continual response to life.
Everyone has displayed a tendency toward arrogance from time to time, however, it is those who walk continually in the stance of pride that need to repent from a lifestyle of self exaltation.
The narcissist who rages will do it every time their perfect view of themselves is threatened. There will never be a reasonable encounter unless the narc is getting everything they want. They value only those who elevate them and devalue everyone who does not hold them in godlike status.
Those who are reasonable and humble do not become unglued when challenged about anything. Those who become enraged or offended to the point of tears, are those who are deeply invested in their own appearance, often relying on others viewing them as special.
When there is a deep need to be considered superior, there is arrogance, sin and an inability to look inwardly for spiritual change. There can be no change in the heart of a narcissist until God brings them to the end of themselves, until they are broken over their sinfulness and God changes them into a new creation.
Another test for ourselves is, are we easily offended over small matters, even when we know we could be wrong. Many people know they are wrong, but cannot bring themselves to admit it while holding grudges against those that have offended them through honesty in calling things what they are to resolve a matter.
Narcissists are not interested in resolving anything, their only aim is to make others submit to their way, even making excuses for themselves when they know they have failed in some area. After which they accuse their target of the very thing the narcissist is doing but the target is not. False accusation is a favored technique of the narcissist. Often a narcissist will actually look for things to be angry about to appear superior.
If we suspect ourselves of being a narcissist on a regular basis there is only one solution, that is to humble ourselves before God, ask forgiveness for being so full of self, then asking Christ to change in us that which dishonors Him.
If a narcissist thinks they can get away with fooling people, they are right, but they will never fool God, He sees everything. Those who think they can fool people are often, if not always, lacking understanding that God sees all that we do and are. They really do not believe or they would fear God more than they fear men.
Acts 5:29 "29 But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging Him on a tree.…"
Proverbs 9:10 "10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."
When self is on the throne, God cannot be. Those who are into appearances more than substance, cannot walk in holiness no matter what their outer life appears. Substance is in the heart and is demonstrated on the outside.
When there is a continual pattern of arrogance, there is a strong possibility that the person who is controlled by their emotions does not know Christ.
Philippians 3:10
"that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;"
John 17:3
"This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent."
Philippians 3:8
"More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,"
1 John 5:20
"And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ This is the true God and eternal life."
2 Peter 3:18
"but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."
1 John 2:3
"By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments."
No comments:
Post a Comment