Narcissists will attempt to make others feel guilty for telling the truth or keeping someone accountable. One of the things the narc hates the most is accountability. They are alright with it if they are doing it to someone else, while expecting obedience to them, but are enraged when anyone else tries to keep them accountable. I cannot count the number of times a narcissist judged me on something wrongly, but were incensed when anyone called them to account about something.
One of the clues about a prideful person is their outrageous reaction to correction even over the smallest matters, while feeling completely comfortable with instructing others.
I once had a young woman who had been married a whole year, come to me and instruct me that I was not a good enough wife to my husband because I wanted to discuss things with him. In her mind I should never question him nor disagree with him on anything. I was just to obey. She lacked the understanding of a mature woman, having been indoctrinated early on by others that she would be the perfect wife if she said nothing and only did whatever her husband told her to do.
I asked this young woman if her husband brought her a gun and told her to kill the neighbor because he didn't like him, would she do that? She refused to answer me because she knew I was right that we are to obey God instead of man when our husbands do not obey God. Remaining silent instead of discussing it with me, told me that she was so full of pride she could not even respond unless she knew she could win. Winning is what these types are all about. Discovering truth is not important to a narcissist, only winning is always the end goal.
I instructed her that if we love our husbands we speak the truth to help them when they are about to make a very important mistake. We are to help our husbands, if they are resistant then we are to go over their head to God.
I was once told by a narcissist about an encounter they had with a new Christian in the neighborhood. This new Christian lady was distraught because her unsaved husband wanted her to watch filthy XXX rated pornographic videos. The counsel this narcissist gave was that she should do it to obey her husband. When I heard this I quickly rebuked it with the Scripture Paul wrote after he was told to no longer preach by the authorities, he said this, "I must obey God rather than man."
So much damage has been done because prideful believers took passages out of scripture and used them to promote their own agenda.
I am not a feminist, however, I do believe in the "helpmeet" position of the wife to counsel her husband when I see a problem coming. I also believe a woman should encourage her husband to pray and read the word when he is neglecting this. If the husband refuses then the only recourse and the best one, is to pray and let God do His work.
Narcissists always think they know everything, even about things they have little or no experience in. If it comes to their mind and it impresses someone else then they must not be wrong.
May we look to Christ for all things as the world become more narcissistic and demeaning to God and man. Our safety is not in the advice of others but in the counsel of Christ Who lives in us. There are far too many false doctrines going around to trust someone just because they say they are a Christian.
Psalm 62:1-8 "I am at rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from Him.
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my stronghold; I will never be shaken.
3 How long will you threaten a man?
Will all of you attack[a]
as if he were a leaning wall
or a tottering stone fence?
4 They only plan to bring him down
from his high position.
They take pleasure in lying;
they bless with their mouths,
but they curse inwardly.Selah
5 Rest in God alone, my soul,
for my hope comes from Him.
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my stronghold; I will not be shaken.
7 My salvation and glory depend on God, my strong rock.
My refuge is in God.
8 Trust in Him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts before Him.
God is our refuge.Selah"
Sunday, January 8, 2017
Do We Walk in the Spirit or in the Flesh?
When we are filled with the Holy Spirit our lives will be filled with the character qualities of Christ. When we walk in the flesh our character will be fleshly, easily moved and dependent on the reactions of our bodies that come naturally.
"Wisdom that comes from Heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness."....James 3
"Wisdom that comes from Heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness."....James 3
Saturday, January 7, 2017
How Do We Deal With Conflict?
What is our first response when we have to go through hardship? Do we turn to Christ in prayer or do we turn from Him in anger and bitterness. Here Francis Frangipane answers with very wise instruction.
Bitterness in the Garden of our Hearts
By Francis Frangipane
This is the whole article from Francis Frangipane on sorrow and bitterness...
"See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled" (Heb. 12:15).
It is impossible to pass through this world without being struck by injustice or heartache. Unless we process our struggles in Christ, a single wounding of our soul can create a deep bitterness within us, poisoning our very existence. In my forty-six years of ministry, I have known far too many Christians who have perfected the art of looking polite while living inwardly with an angry, cynical or resentful spirit. They have swallowed the poison of bitterness, and they are dying spiritually because of it. The problem is that, as Christians, we know it is wrong to react with open anger toward people. However, rather than truly forgiving and surrendering that injustice to God, we suppress our anger. Anger is a result of perceived injustice. Suppressed anger always degrades into bitterness, which is, in reality, unfulfilled revenge.
Embittered People
A bitter soul is trapped in a time warp; the person dwells in the memory of their pain. Several years ago I met a woman who had suffered a difficult divorce. I talked with her every six months or so for two years, and each time we talked she said exactly the same negative things about her ex-husband. Although she was divorced from him, she was now married to a bitter spirit that held her captive to her heartache.
An embittered soul continually blames others for their situation. I’m thinking of Naomi in the Book of Ruth. Here was a person who blamed her bitterness on God. She was angry that He allowed hardship and loss in her life. "The Lord has brought me back empty" (Ruth 1:21). In effect she was saying, My sorrow is God's fault.
Contrast her life with that of Job's first encounter with loss (Job 1). Job lost his children and possessions, yet he bowed and worshiped: "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21).
How we handle sorrow reveals the depth of our worship of God. When life cuts us, do we bleed bitterness or worship? Job bowed and drew close to God. Naomi withdrew and talked about the Lord with her back toward Him. I have dear friends who lost their only son when he was a teenager. In the midst of their heartache, they have become examples to everyone of true worship. Over the years, their pain actually purified and deepened their worship; their suffering made them more compassionate toward the suffering of others (See 2 Cor. 1:3-4). I also know others who have suffered the sudden loss of a loved one and, within weeks, withdrew from God and became embittered. Adversity does not perfect character; it reveals character. It exposes what is happening inside of us.
Poisoned
In ancient times mankind experimented with vegetation, seeking to learn which plants were edible and which were poisonous. In his search, he discovered that, generally speaking, if a plant or fruit was sweet, it was usually safe to eat; bitter plants, man discovered, would either sicken or kill. Likewise, the bitter experiences of life, if we ingest them into our spirits, can become a spiritual poison that destroys our hopeful expectations and attitudes. Such an experience may enter your soul via a relational wound or injustice; it can begin through a major disappointment or loss. However, once bitterness enters the human soul, like ink spreading in a glass of water, it can darken every aspect of our existence.
Indeed, not only can bitterness ruin our lives, Hebrews warns that a root of bitterness can "defile many" (Heb. 12:15 NIV). A spiritual root of bitterness is a hidden, unresolved anger that is buried beneath the surface of our lives. Outwardly we look "properly Christian," until we begin to discuss with others the situation where someone hurt us. As we speak, that root "springs up" and it defiles others. If you haven't dealt with your bitterness, beware when you speak to others, lest you defile them with your words. If you are listening to an embittered person, take heed that the spirit of bitterness is not being transferred to your life as well!
God desires to rescue us from bitterness so we can truly love and laugh again. Let us, therefore, sincerely approach the throne of God's grace and ask Him to show us the garden of our hearts. Yes, and let us see if our souls are truly free of the root of bitterness.
Bitterness in the Garden of our Hearts
By Francis Frangipane
This is the whole article from Francis Frangipane on sorrow and bitterness...
"See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled" (Heb. 12:15).
It is impossible to pass through this world without being struck by injustice or heartache. Unless we process our struggles in Christ, a single wounding of our soul can create a deep bitterness within us, poisoning our very existence. In my forty-six years of ministry, I have known far too many Christians who have perfected the art of looking polite while living inwardly with an angry, cynical or resentful spirit. They have swallowed the poison of bitterness, and they are dying spiritually because of it. The problem is that, as Christians, we know it is wrong to react with open anger toward people. However, rather than truly forgiving and surrendering that injustice to God, we suppress our anger. Anger is a result of perceived injustice. Suppressed anger always degrades into bitterness, which is, in reality, unfulfilled revenge.
Embittered People
A bitter soul is trapped in a time warp; the person dwells in the memory of their pain. Several years ago I met a woman who had suffered a difficult divorce. I talked with her every six months or so for two years, and each time we talked she said exactly the same negative things about her ex-husband. Although she was divorced from him, she was now married to a bitter spirit that held her captive to her heartache.
An embittered soul continually blames others for their situation. I’m thinking of Naomi in the Book of Ruth. Here was a person who blamed her bitterness on God. She was angry that He allowed hardship and loss in her life. "The Lord has brought me back empty" (Ruth 1:21). In effect she was saying, My sorrow is God's fault.
Contrast her life with that of Job's first encounter with loss (Job 1). Job lost his children and possessions, yet he bowed and worshiped: "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21).
How we handle sorrow reveals the depth of our worship of God. When life cuts us, do we bleed bitterness or worship? Job bowed and drew close to God. Naomi withdrew and talked about the Lord with her back toward Him. I have dear friends who lost their only son when he was a teenager. In the midst of their heartache, they have become examples to everyone of true worship. Over the years, their pain actually purified and deepened their worship; their suffering made them more compassionate toward the suffering of others (See 2 Cor. 1:3-4). I also know others who have suffered the sudden loss of a loved one and, within weeks, withdrew from God and became embittered. Adversity does not perfect character; it reveals character. It exposes what is happening inside of us.
Poisoned
In ancient times mankind experimented with vegetation, seeking to learn which plants were edible and which were poisonous. In his search, he discovered that, generally speaking, if a plant or fruit was sweet, it was usually safe to eat; bitter plants, man discovered, would either sicken or kill. Likewise, the bitter experiences of life, if we ingest them into our spirits, can become a spiritual poison that destroys our hopeful expectations and attitudes. Such an experience may enter your soul via a relational wound or injustice; it can begin through a major disappointment or loss. However, once bitterness enters the human soul, like ink spreading in a glass of water, it can darken every aspect of our existence.
Indeed, not only can bitterness ruin our lives, Hebrews warns that a root of bitterness can "defile many" (Heb. 12:15 NIV). A spiritual root of bitterness is a hidden, unresolved anger that is buried beneath the surface of our lives. Outwardly we look "properly Christian," until we begin to discuss with others the situation where someone hurt us. As we speak, that root "springs up" and it defiles others. If you haven't dealt with your bitterness, beware when you speak to others, lest you defile them with your words. If you are listening to an embittered person, take heed that the spirit of bitterness is not being transferred to your life as well!
God desires to rescue us from bitterness so we can truly love and laugh again. Let us, therefore, sincerely approach the throne of God's grace and ask Him to show us the garden of our hearts. Yes, and let us see if our souls are truly free of the root of bitterness.
Friday, January 6, 2017
Psalms
Psalm 12:8
8 The wicked strut about on every side
When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.
When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.
The Devil Makes War
The devil is making war with the saints on a grander scale than every before as the time approaches for Christ to come and take His Children home.
Psalm 11:5-7
"5 The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked,
And the one who loves violence His soul hates.
6 Upon the wicked He will rain [a]snares;
Fire and brimstone and burning wind will be the portion of their cup.
7 For the Lord is righteous, He loves [b]righteousness;
The upright will behold His face."
Psalm 11:5-7
"5 The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked,
And the one who loves violence His soul hates.
6 Upon the wicked He will rain [a]snares;
Fire and brimstone and burning wind will be the portion of their cup.
7 For the Lord is righteous, He loves [b]righteousness;
The upright will behold His face."
The Wicked Destroy Foundations
The goal of the wicked is to destroy the foundations of the righteous. This is increasing in these last days. When you find yourself in a situation where you have attempted to be reasonable and others are acting irrationally as though you did something wrong, remember what God said about it in the Psalms.
Psalm 11:2-3
"2 For, behold, the wicked bend the bow,
They make ready their arrow upon the string
To shoot in darkness at the upright in heart.
3 If the foundations are destroyed,
What can the righteous do?”
Psalm 11:2-3
"2 For, behold, the wicked bend the bow,
They make ready their arrow upon the string
To shoot in darkness at the upright in heart.
3 If the foundations are destroyed,
What can the righteous do?”
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