God's Definition of Narcissism

God's Definition of a Narcissist: 2 Timothy 3:1-5

"2 Timothy 3:1-5 (KJV)
3 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."

Every person comes into the world with an over evaluation of self. When we become born again that changes, the Lord puts into us His character, how we relate to others becomes the opposite of our nature bent toward sin. Those who do not change their elevated view of their own importance, have not been born again. In order to become born again one must know they are sinful and want to be changed by Christ. Only then will He change us into a new creation.

Those who claim to be Christians but live as they have always lived, prideful, selfish and mean, have not become born again. They must evaluate themselves in truth, instead of hanging onto fantasies of their own greatness. God will remove from the born again believer any sense of self importance and replace it with compassion and love, toward Him first and then toward others.

"Matthew 22:36-40 (NASB)
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.”

The Mayo Clinic Definition of a narcissist:

"Signs and symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder and the severity of symptoms vary. People with the disorder can:

Have an exaggerated sense of self-importance
Have a sense of entitlement and require constant, excessive admiration
Expect to be recognized as superior even without achievements that warrant it
Exaggerate achievements and talents
Be preoccupied with fantasies about success, power, brilliance, beauty or the perfect mate
Believe they are superior and can only associate with equally special people
Monopolize conversations and belittle or look down on people they perceive as inferior
Expect special favors and unquestioning compliance with their expectations
Take advantage of others to get what they want
Have an inability or unwillingness to recognize the needs and feelings of others
Be envious of others and believe others envy them
Behave in an arrogant or haughty manner, coming across as conceited, boastful and pretentious
Insist on having the best of everything — for instance, the best car or office
At the same time, people with narcissistic personality disorder have trouble handling anything they perceive as criticism, and they can:

Become impatient or angry when they don't receive special treatment
Have significant interpersonal problems and easily feel slighted
React with rage or contempt and try to belittle the other person to make themselves appear superior
Have difficulty regulating emotions and behavior
Experience major problems dealing with stress and adapting to change
Feel depressed and moody because they fall short of perfection
Have secret feelings of insecurity, shame, vulnerability and humiliation"

It is clear that those who walk in pride know something is wrong with them, this is the reason they hide their real selves, they know they are not walking in truth, all their goodness on the outside is not what is going on, in the inside. They have to pretend what they are not, but must also work to hide their authentic self. This suggests to me they know their own sinfulness, but the desire to control others is the dominate sin in their life,that overpowers any desire to be an authentically kind person.

For the narcissists perception is all that matters, authenticity is not very important.

When we become born again we hate those old human traits of selfishness, we are humbled and want to become Christ like. Often the habits of someone will carry over into the born again experience, God will deal with them through humbling experiences that show them a need for confession and transformation.

Hebrews 12:5-7 "…5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, or lose heart when He rebukes you. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises everyone He receives as a son.” 7 Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?"