"Rebellious Because We Don't Obey Them?"

The narcissists I have known have judged me as "rebellious" because I analyze things for myself and only accept the views of others when they agree with what I believe or they make a good point that I hadn't learned. I place no man on a pedestal, God is my source and wise men can add to that knowledge, but they can never take the place of God at the end of the day.

The narcs in my life have put the "educated" or "degreed" on a pedestal as though someone without a pedigree, cannot know the things of God. Someone actually said that to me one day in a discussion about divorce and remarriage. She persisted that the pastors that she consulted before her remarriage said it was alright and thus her permission was given by them.

Narcissists seem to want to associate with those whom they perceive to be superior. Superiority is their goal or at least their appearance of superiority. Wanting to be "like God" is their aim just as it was for Eve in the garden. The ploy of the devil has been "you can be like god." And, his cousin ploy was "you can be better than others."

We live in a world right now that rewards arrogance and mocks humility. Those who are humble may be and often are very wise but they do not parade it as a trophy.

However, the narcissist must "name drop" about which authors they read, which preachers they quote and which people they become close friends with, who have been elevated in the eyes of the popular crowd.

The reason we are seeing so many people following the prosperity preachers is more that they listen to them or know them, but that they are vicariously enjoying their prominent status by speaking about them. But I notice they don't speak of God with the same intense worship as they do the popular preachers.

When I hear a sermon in which the preacher mentions the names of famous people regularly, then I know that the preacher has not spent time with God. Had he spent time with God he would be quoting God and using his own words to express the principles and love of God. The Holy Spirit works in all believers who seek Him for wisdom, not just those who are prominent.

James 1:4-6 "…4 Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.…"

Those who are degreed according to human standards have no more of a leg up than anyone who walks with Christ. In fact the opposite may be true. Since the man of God trusting the Holy Spirit is trusting Christ to guide him, it is more likely he will become wise than the man who is trusting man to guide him.

Psalm 118:7-9 "…7 The LORD is for me among those who help me; Therefore I will look with satisfaction on those who hate me. 8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD Than to trust in man. 9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD Than to trust in princes.…"

We listen to men at times but we do not trust in them. We listen to God all the time and place our trust in Him alone.

Proverbs 3:5-8
"5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your body
And refreshment to your bones."

"with all your heart", that does not leave room to place any trust in men, we listen, we evaluate then we pray, if the man is right because God spoke to him, wonderful, but it is not he we trust, it is God he spoke to, simple!