Choose the Culture or Christ

Narcissism like any sin is a personal choice. Everyone is pre-disposed to particular sins. We all have to confess them and stop them.

The narcissists I have known were that way because they were pampered and babied, getting whatever they wanted and having tantrums if someone would not do something their way or something for them.

Some people are pampered but do not turn out bratty, in fact they become more generous and grateful.

So why would some respond to pampering and babying in a narcissistic bent and others respond by becoming more loving and kind?

I am convinced trauma or pampering are not the culprits causing narcissism but that it is a choice based on personal character. Outside influence can have some effect but it does not determine our choices. Influences in our life can only have an effect when we allow them to dictate to us.

I was pressured to be physically active, but the pressure had no effect because I was not interested in exercise. It did have an impact on other members of my family.

Some people like ice cream and others like cake, nothing made them that way, it's a personal choice.

All sin is a personal choice. We are not robots controlled by others, we can choose to follow others to be accepted or we can choose to follow our own path based on our own personality bents.

Rather than following people, culture or church doctrine, it is better to allow Christ to work in us for His purposes. Often God has other ideas and plans for us that the culture, people, or organized church, would discourage.

Sadly there are many people doing things they don't like just to be accepted and to impress others who like those things.

What a freedom we have in Christ to follow only Him. We know anything He would say would be perfect. We know that anything He would command us to do would have a purpose.

Many things the culture and the organized church do have no purpose except meaningless tradition.

Mark 7:13 "13 Thus you nullify the word of God by the tradition you have handed down. And you do so in many such matters.”

When we are free to choose Christ we have no worries about fitting into the culture or pleasing people merely to be accepted. Those who are in bondage to the culture and people will always lack wisdom, thinking their own thoughts or the thoughts of the culture is wisdom when it generally negates God's Word we know its foolishness.

Choose: The culture or Christ!!!