The narcissists dedication to themselves over anyone else, colors their thinking, causing them to see things in convoluted ways. They cannot see clearly, everything is clouded by their personal desire to assign greatness to themselves.
Those who see narcissists for what they are, are targeted for continual devaluation. The narcissist must find fault with everything that the target does. To validate the target in any way would be unthinkable. They must also work to turn others against the target through their deliberate misinterpretation of events while telling others their twisted findings.
When everything we do all the time is based on looking good on the outside, it is unlikely that we will pay very much attention to problems of the heart, spiritual growth is not given much attention.
All attention is given to hiding, fooling others and appearing to be something one is not on the inside. It's a form of acting that becomes a habit with as much power as any drug addiction.
It is devastating to the narcissist when they discover that others have blown their cover. Those who know the Word of God and are discerning, quickly identify pretender and actors. These are the people that narcissists come after for defeat.
An honest, open and forthright individual is despised by the narcissist because they are a threat to the self absorbed personality.
The narcissist knows they are fakers, that's why they may even say to us "I can't be fake." If they "say" they are not something, then they are revealing that they are that very thing they claim they are not. I have witnessed this a number of times. We don't even have to accuse them, they will blurt it out when no one else brought it up.
Proverbs 28:1 "1 The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are bold as a lion."
A discerning believer never trusts merely in words, instead they watch lifestyles, actions and reactions along with body language. The believer can be so adept at this, from constant practice and involvement with a narcissist that it only takes a few minutes with people to see the clues.
If we are grounded in the Word of God, the evidence of a person's mentality is quickly discerned. Of course we watch for lots of evidence before making a decision about their attitude, but once that evidence has been overwhelming, we can know through the Word what our actions and responses should be.
Proverbs 26:4 "…3 A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the back of fools. 4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Or you will also be like him. 5 Answer a fool as his folly deserves, That he not be wise in his own eyes.…"
The verse in Proverbs can be confusing because it says to answer a fool according to his folly and then it says not to do so. There is a time to expose a fool for what he is and a time to walk away without answering them. The Holy Spirit can show us which is needed at the time of the encounter.
An open, honest and godly person does not have to hide, they do not fear being discovered. The narcissist hides because there is something to hide. They know they have evil inside and cannot take a chance on others discovering their heart.
They hide things while accusing others of making judgments and accusations against them, when in reality they are the ones who are doing this, not the target. They even hide when there is no reason to hide, when honesty would serve them better, this is the magnitude of the habit of hiding.
One of the devil's favorite tactics is to accuse others of doing evil when they are not but he is. This tactic has increased in our day, many will jump the gun to evaluate what others do, looking for evil to report, when there was no evil.
Manipulation and intimidation works on most people, that's why it is used in politics, families and government schools. Most people will give into those who act superior and those who intimidate them. We see this in colleges and seminaries, most people going to these places don't think for themselves, knowing it will lead to loneliness and isolation from the others.
Those who are critical and honest thinkers will not be popular nor will they have validation from others most of the time. The exciting thing is that when we walk with Christ we don't need the validation from people as the narcissists do. We are comfortable in our own skin filled with the Holy Spirit.
I often reflect on what the prophets must have encountered every day of their lives. We see them walking alone, being rejected and rebuffed, even lied against to demean them and their message. We do not see them having support even from their own families.
If you are born again, walking with Christ and dedicated to His Word, this will be your experience too. Lean into it, enjoy your time with Christ, soon we will be going home and will no longer have to deal with evil demonically inspired individuals.
Philippians 3:20 "…19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body.…"
THEREIN LIES OUR HOPE!!!!!!
