Thursday, January 25, 2018

The Stony Heart Must Change to Flesh

Empathy in believers is based on authentic friendship. It is demonstrated when one person values another person.

It is not possible for narcissists to engage in empathy since their entire existence is based on whatever elevates self.

Narcissists do not value others, they only show a pretense of value for those that elevate the narcissist.

Proverbs 18:2
"A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion."

When a friend values someone they are engaged in conversation, two way conversation in which interest is shown in one another's desires, accomplishments and even difficult times. Those that love others care about everything that is happening to them and everything they are doing.

A friend shares their good times and their bad ones. Friends empathize in hard times and joins in the happy ones.

Romans 12:15
"15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep."

When there is a display of boredom when sharing something happy or while sharing an accomplishment, it is a sign of jealousy in the one who doesn't really want to hear about the good things in our lives.

When there is a sense of boredom and lack of response in the things we share that are difficulties or sadnesses, then we are witnessing an attitude of superiority or even indifference.

Lack of interest in the things of a friend is a very big clue that we may be dealing with a narcissist, someone who is not happy unless they are the center of attention, in every moment.

Proverbs 29:9
"If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet."

Proverbs 14:7-9
"Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge. The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving. Fools mock at the guilt offering, but the upright enjoy acceptance."

Proverbs 14:16
"One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless."

Which do we wish to be, the true friend who loves God first and people second, or the false friend who loves himself above all else.

One cannot love others if they do not first love God!

The narcissist (2 Timothy 3:1-5) cannot love God nor can they love others, therefore their only hope is to repent, confess their sinfulness and become born again. Then God will change their stony heart into a heart of flesh.

Matthew 22:36-40
36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”
37 And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
38 This is the great and foremost commandment.
39 The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”

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