God said that we would worship Him in "Spirit and in Truth", not by our emotions. That's not to say we will not become emotional at times, but when emotion is the first objective then the worship will be phony.
John 4:24
"24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."
Sunday, July 2, 2017
Flattery Diminishes
Flattery diminishes our ability to exercise discernment.
Proverbs 26:24-28 "Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart; though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling. A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin."
Proverbs 26:24-28 "Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart; though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling. A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin."
Rejecting Christ is Irrational
Rejecting Jesus Christ is irrational. Christ offered to and did pay for our sin. He not only paid for our sinfulness, but also promises to live in us that we would never be without help, wisdom and comfort.
Christ gives us all we need, all the strength necessary to dwell in this sin sick world, endure hardship, which we all have, while giving us peace within our heart no matter what is happening all around us.
As believers indwelt with the Holy Spirit we always have hope in the future we are promised. We have hope that all that happens to us has purpose as well as reward at the end of it all.
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1
"This is my comfort in my affliction, for Thy word hath quickened me." Psalm 119:50
"Unless Thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction." Psalm 119:92
"For sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are not under the law, but under grace." Romans 6:14
"Thy word I have hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee." Psalm 119:11
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:7
"The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry. The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles." Psalm 34:15, 17
"He healeth the broken in heart and bindeth up their wounds." Psalm 147:3
"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away." Revelation 21:4
"And let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not." Galatians 6:9
"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed." 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou wilt revive me; Thou shalt stretch forth Thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and Thy right hand shall save me." Psalm 138:7
"For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that He hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously." Malachi 2:16
"And this is the promise that He hath promised us-even eternal life." 1 John 2:25
"Verily, verily I say unto you, he that believeth on Me hath everlasting life." John 6:47
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16
"Fear not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee, yea, I will help thee, yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness." Isaiah 41:10
"Be strong and of a good courage, fear not nor be afraid of them; for the Lord thy God, He it is that doth go with thee, He will not fail thee nor forsake thee." Deuteronomy 31:6
"So that we may boldly say, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear what man shall do unto me." Hebrews 13:6
"But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19
"Therefore, take no thought, saying, 'What shall we eat' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'Wherewithall shall we be clothed?' For after all these things do the Gentiles seek, For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things." Matthew 6:31-32
"He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" Romans 8:32
"Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him." Matthew 6:8
"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Matthew 6:14-15
"Then Peter came to Him, and said, 'Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive Him? Til seven times?' Jesus saith unto him, 'I say not unto thee, until seven times; but til seventy times seven.' " Matthew 18:21-22
"When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee. When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." Isaiah 43:2
"Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee; He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." Psalm 55:22
"Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates ; to be ready to every good work, to speak evil of no man, to be not brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men." Titus 3:1-2
"It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness, for the throne is established by righteousness." Proverbs 16:12
"Mercy and truth preserve the king, and his throne is upholden by mercy." Proverbs 20:28
"Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory." Psalm 73:24
"In all thy ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:6
"Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and He saveth them out of their distresses." Psalm 107:19
"For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things." 1 John 3:20
"I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and as a cloud, thy sins. Return unto Me, for I have redeemed thee." Isaiah 44:22
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Romans 8:1
"The trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." James 1:3-4
"I waited patiently for the Lord, and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry." Psalm 40:1
"But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience." Luke 8:15
"I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go; I will guide thee with Mine eye." Psalm 32:8
"Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established." Proverbs 16:3
"My soul, wait thou only upon God, for my expectation is from Him." Psalm 62:5
There are many more promises within the pages of the Bible, the more you read and believe, the greater our strength.
Christ gives us all we need, all the strength necessary to dwell in this sin sick world, endure hardship, which we all have, while giving us peace within our heart no matter what is happening all around us.
As believers indwelt with the Holy Spirit we always have hope in the future we are promised. We have hope that all that happens to us has purpose as well as reward at the end of it all.
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1
"This is my comfort in my affliction, for Thy word hath quickened me." Psalm 119:50
"Unless Thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction." Psalm 119:92
"For sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are not under the law, but under grace." Romans 6:14
"Thy word I have hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee." Psalm 119:11
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:7
"The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry. The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles." Psalm 34:15, 17
"He healeth the broken in heart and bindeth up their wounds." Psalm 147:3
"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away." Revelation 21:4
"And let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not." Galatians 6:9
"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed." 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou wilt revive me; Thou shalt stretch forth Thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and Thy right hand shall save me." Psalm 138:7
"For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that He hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously." Malachi 2:16
"And this is the promise that He hath promised us-even eternal life." 1 John 2:25
"Verily, verily I say unto you, he that believeth on Me hath everlasting life." John 6:47
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16
"Fear not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee, yea, I will help thee, yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness." Isaiah 41:10
"Be strong and of a good courage, fear not nor be afraid of them; for the Lord thy God, He it is that doth go with thee, He will not fail thee nor forsake thee." Deuteronomy 31:6
"So that we may boldly say, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear what man shall do unto me." Hebrews 13:6
"But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19
"Therefore, take no thought, saying, 'What shall we eat' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'Wherewithall shall we be clothed?' For after all these things do the Gentiles seek, For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things." Matthew 6:31-32
"He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" Romans 8:32
"Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him." Matthew 6:8
"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Matthew 6:14-15
"Then Peter came to Him, and said, 'Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive Him? Til seven times?' Jesus saith unto him, 'I say not unto thee, until seven times; but til seventy times seven.' " Matthew 18:21-22
"When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee. When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." Isaiah 43:2
"Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee; He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." Psalm 55:22
"Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates ; to be ready to every good work, to speak evil of no man, to be not brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men." Titus 3:1-2
"It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness, for the throne is established by righteousness." Proverbs 16:12
"Mercy and truth preserve the king, and his throne is upholden by mercy." Proverbs 20:28
"Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory." Psalm 73:24
"In all thy ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:6
"Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and He saveth them out of their distresses." Psalm 107:19
"For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things." 1 John 3:20
"I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and as a cloud, thy sins. Return unto Me, for I have redeemed thee." Isaiah 44:22
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Romans 8:1
"The trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." James 1:3-4
"I waited patiently for the Lord, and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry." Psalm 40:1
"But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience." Luke 8:15
"I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go; I will guide thee with Mine eye." Psalm 32:8
"Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established." Proverbs 16:3
"My soul, wait thou only upon God, for my expectation is from Him." Psalm 62:5
There are many more promises within the pages of the Bible, the more you read and believe, the greater our strength.
Thursday, June 29, 2017
Are Medication Making Us Crazy
I am beginning to wonder how many of the medications people take today have to do with aggression and lack of empathy for others.
I have been reading articles on this from the medical community who are researching this and the findings are frightening.
Perhaps our dependence on drugs in our culture is removing the natural inclinations to feel guilt or sorrow. We can't blame drugs on our behavior, but perhaps the use of drugs is removing natural inhibitions to bad behavior.
When our conscience is removed or dulled, we are capable of nearly everything. It is also interesting to me that when our conscience is removed through drugs or alcohol, we never get better, we never become more kind, more loving and more empathic, we become worse about everything.
Seems that a conscience is the part of us that keeps our "real self" in check.
Something to think about!
I have been reading articles on this from the medical community who are researching this and the findings are frightening.
Perhaps our dependence on drugs in our culture is removing the natural inclinations to feel guilt or sorrow. We can't blame drugs on our behavior, but perhaps the use of drugs is removing natural inhibitions to bad behavior.
When our conscience is removed or dulled, we are capable of nearly everything. It is also interesting to me that when our conscience is removed through drugs or alcohol, we never get better, we never become more kind, more loving and more empathic, we become worse about everything.
Seems that a conscience is the part of us that keeps our "real self" in check.
Something to think about!
Wednesday, June 28, 2017
The Selfish Streak
How do narcissists become narcissists?
Mankind is born with a selfish streak, it is only Christ Who can take it out of them. However there is an increase in this problem of selfishness in our day, so much so that it is difficult to find those who understand what unselfishness looks like.
It has been my observation that far too much praise while parenting a child, can bring on attitudes of superiority and competitiveness.
When a child is told continually how wonderful they are, they begin to believe they are better than everyone else. It is normal and natural to tell a child he did a good job, but to continually do it for small matters when he/she is expected to do the job, is not helpful. We need to learn to do things well without constant praise. A job well done should bring enough joy that there is no need for others to fawn all over us.
Praise in our culture is almost a habit, "good job" is given out for everything. The children seem to expect it all the time for everything.
Another problem that creates a sense of entitlement, is the practice of what I call "letting the child run wild." When children have no rules or boundaries that they are expected to follow, they grow up being resentful toward those who expect things from them, they resent the standards that others might require. We see children dictating to parents often now, the parent shrinks under the mighty tantrum of the child.
In marriage the narcissist expects to have whatever they want without consideration for others in the household. They also demonstrate an irritation when asked to help with things. These people expect to be considered but do not like considering anyone else.
An undisciplined child who is left to always make their own decisions without accountability will become enraged in a marriage after they become adults. When they are expected to help, even resistant to helping without having to be asked when it is clearly seen that there is a need for help. These people require a request for help, as though we should state everything clearly to obtain any assistance, then they show irritation that they were asked.
A mature and kind adult should not have to be asked for help when everyone can see the need. They simply jump in and make themselves useful without anyone having to tell them.
If a mature adults sees a need but is not sure if their input would be helpful, they offer to help in case helping would make the ordeal more burdensome.
It is the narcissist who walks right on by an old lady struggling with packages, or ignores the man on the street who is having a heart attack, after all, they think it is not their responsibility. The lack of empathy and kindness is staggering with these types.
The narcissist does not like to help because they must be the center of attention. Being the second man out does not appeal to the narcissist, they must be the one in charge or they don't want to play the game. They feel a need to be begged, when they are begged they show displeasure at the request, nothing is pleasant when the narcissist is around.
This mentality reminds me of the child who invites someone she dislikes to her birthday party just so her devalued friend can see her ignoring her.
Those children who grew up in homes where they were always the center of attention and who were indulged in continual adulation, are the narcissists we encounter today. The reason I am convinced of what I am saying is the dramatic increase in selfishness in our culture today, after the children of the '70's were raised on an overdose of self esteem, they grew up to be the selfish and narcissistic adults we must endure today.
The parents of these over indulged children, were not this selfish growing up, they were not allowed to be, but as they raised their children according to the cultural teaching in the schools, they became this way themselves. After all, we don't teach things to our children we don't believe in. The children of the '50's demonstrated better values, but as they were indoctrinated by the culture, they began to raise their own children on the indulgent standards of the schools in the '70's.
Proverbs 29:15-16 "15 The rod and reproof give wisdom, But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother. 16 When the wicked increase, transgression increases; But the righteous will see their fall.…"
1 Corinthians 15:33
"33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”
We have seen an increase in elder-abandonment, snarky language toward elders and a resistance to correction or instruction. This generations view of life is wrapped around the idea that they must have what they want, when they want it and without any challenge to their attitudes, thoughts, ideas or actions.
In short, these people who display the maturity of a six year old, are in the government positions today, and the parents raising the children of our next generation. Frankly, it frightens me to see all this, when I once knew of a time when this was not the case. There has always been an element of narcissism in our culture, but it was the "crazy fringe", that openly operated this way. Now normal reasonable people are the crazy fringe, at least in our region. "Back in the day", most people were taught to be reasonable and kind, those who were not, hid it to be accepted by the culture.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 "3 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these."
This is a hard time for believers in our country, who understand what love looks like, who have been deeply invested in empathy toward others. We know what real love looks like, we are in a state of shock and disbelief over what we see every day.
Revelation 22:11-13 "…11 Let the unrighteous continue to be unrighteous, and the vile continue to be vile; let the righteous continue to practice righteousness, and the holy continue to be holy.” 12 “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to each person according to what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”…"
Mankind is born with a selfish streak, it is only Christ Who can take it out of them. However there is an increase in this problem of selfishness in our day, so much so that it is difficult to find those who understand what unselfishness looks like.
It has been my observation that far too much praise while parenting a child, can bring on attitudes of superiority and competitiveness.
When a child is told continually how wonderful they are, they begin to believe they are better than everyone else. It is normal and natural to tell a child he did a good job, but to continually do it for small matters when he/she is expected to do the job, is not helpful. We need to learn to do things well without constant praise. A job well done should bring enough joy that there is no need for others to fawn all over us.
Praise in our culture is almost a habit, "good job" is given out for everything. The children seem to expect it all the time for everything.
Another problem that creates a sense of entitlement, is the practice of what I call "letting the child run wild." When children have no rules or boundaries that they are expected to follow, they grow up being resentful toward those who expect things from them, they resent the standards that others might require. We see children dictating to parents often now, the parent shrinks under the mighty tantrum of the child.
In marriage the narcissist expects to have whatever they want without consideration for others in the household. They also demonstrate an irritation when asked to help with things. These people expect to be considered but do not like considering anyone else.
An undisciplined child who is left to always make their own decisions without accountability will become enraged in a marriage after they become adults. When they are expected to help, even resistant to helping without having to be asked when it is clearly seen that there is a need for help. These people require a request for help, as though we should state everything clearly to obtain any assistance, then they show irritation that they were asked.
A mature and kind adult should not have to be asked for help when everyone can see the need. They simply jump in and make themselves useful without anyone having to tell them.
If a mature adults sees a need but is not sure if their input would be helpful, they offer to help in case helping would make the ordeal more burdensome.
It is the narcissist who walks right on by an old lady struggling with packages, or ignores the man on the street who is having a heart attack, after all, they think it is not their responsibility. The lack of empathy and kindness is staggering with these types.
The narcissist does not like to help because they must be the center of attention. Being the second man out does not appeal to the narcissist, they must be the one in charge or they don't want to play the game. They feel a need to be begged, when they are begged they show displeasure at the request, nothing is pleasant when the narcissist is around.
This mentality reminds me of the child who invites someone she dislikes to her birthday party just so her devalued friend can see her ignoring her.
Those children who grew up in homes where they were always the center of attention and who were indulged in continual adulation, are the narcissists we encounter today. The reason I am convinced of what I am saying is the dramatic increase in selfishness in our culture today, after the children of the '70's were raised on an overdose of self esteem, they grew up to be the selfish and narcissistic adults we must endure today.
The parents of these over indulged children, were not this selfish growing up, they were not allowed to be, but as they raised their children according to the cultural teaching in the schools, they became this way themselves. After all, we don't teach things to our children we don't believe in. The children of the '50's demonstrated better values, but as they were indoctrinated by the culture, they began to raise their own children on the indulgent standards of the schools in the '70's.
Proverbs 29:15-16 "15 The rod and reproof give wisdom, But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother. 16 When the wicked increase, transgression increases; But the righteous will see their fall.…"
1 Corinthians 15:33
"33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”
We have seen an increase in elder-abandonment, snarky language toward elders and a resistance to correction or instruction. This generations view of life is wrapped around the idea that they must have what they want, when they want it and without any challenge to their attitudes, thoughts, ideas or actions.
In short, these people who display the maturity of a six year old, are in the government positions today, and the parents raising the children of our next generation. Frankly, it frightens me to see all this, when I once knew of a time when this was not the case. There has always been an element of narcissism in our culture, but it was the "crazy fringe", that openly operated this way. Now normal reasonable people are the crazy fringe, at least in our region. "Back in the day", most people were taught to be reasonable and kind, those who were not, hid it to be accepted by the culture.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 "3 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these."
This is a hard time for believers in our country, who understand what love looks like, who have been deeply invested in empathy toward others. We know what real love looks like, we are in a state of shock and disbelief over what we see every day.
Revelation 22:11-13 "…11 Let the unrighteous continue to be unrighteous, and the vile continue to be vile; let the righteous continue to practice righteousness, and the holy continue to be holy.” 12 “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to each person according to what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”…"
Only Christ is Good!
Believers don't think they are better than others when they walk with Christ. They know they are not good, only Christ is good.
We have no desire to make others worse than us to feel superior to them.
Believers in Christ desire that all people would trust Christ and let Him be their goodness.
Galatians 2:20 "20 I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. "
We have no desire to make others worse than us to feel superior to them.
Believers in Christ desire that all people would trust Christ and let Him be their goodness.
Galatians 2:20 "20 I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. "
Feelings Lie To Us
I have said in the past that we need to allow ourselves the feelings, even cry if needed, it's a release mechanism that God gave us.
However, we should not base our actions on feelings because they are not accurate. Sometimes they make us think things are bad when they are good, or that they are good when they are bad.
Feelings can be very inaccurate, we need to evaluate the situation that brought on the feelings, to see if the feelings are coming from the standpoint of reality. Feelings are nothing more than an automatic response to our perception, they need to be addressed while analyzing the actual events.
"This is how I feel, and this is what actually happened."
The devil wants nothing more than to accuse and diminish his targets. The more we agonize over not being loved by man, the less effective we can be for Christ. We may even sin to relieve the pain or lash out to stop the abuse. The devil knows our frailties, but Christ is our strength.
Psalm 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
There have been many times narcissists make us feel as though we were stupid for doing something kind. We "feel bad", that perhaps we were just a stupid person, it is not at all accurate. The reality of the situation is that others manipulate our perception to demean us, fostering a sense of worthlessness in us, it is their tactic in an attempt to control us. Somehow narcissists feel superior when they can make others inferior.
There have also been times when our association with narcissists would leave us feeling small or insignificant, the goal for them was to make sure we knew we were nothing in their eyes.
The feeling of insignificance is not accurate, it is merely an inner reaction to the gaslighting of the narcissist. The attempt on their part to guilt us into thinking we were insane, to stop our resolve in exposing evil or enlighten with the truth.
When we have given a gift, a narcissist will minimize that gift to create feelings of foolishness in us, our feeling of worthlessness or foolishness is only a reaction to their evil tactic, it is not truth.
When we focus on "facts" rather than the feelings, the narcissist no longer has power over us. When a narcissist attempts to show us our worthlessness by non-responsiveness or the silent treatment, we can assign those indulgences of theirs to the actions of a five year old having a tantrum, it has nothing to do with us, but everything to do with their own infantile purpose of hurting the one they wish to control.
When we allow Christ to control us, the narcissist will have no power over us, they will destroy relationships, but they cannot destroy us.
Proverbs 28:1-2 "1 The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are bold as a lion. 2 By the transgression of a land many are its princes, But by a man of understanding and knowledge, so it endures.…"
Expect these covert and even overt tactics frequently as we move through these end times of rebellion and contempt for Christians. The hatred toward believers is ramping up, the more we want to honor Christ, the worse narcissists will become.
When we have found ourselves goaded into responding badly, don't beat yourself up, confess it to God and continue to stand your ground. Narcissists love nothing better than to cause us to sin, leaving us guilty, it causes glee in them. It also causes them to become worse, when they see that they were able to get us to do the very things we hate to do, that is respond in kind.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 "3 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these."
1 John 1:9 "9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Why do we avoid the narcissist as described in 2 Timothy 3:5? The reason is that their evil intent can cause us to sin against God. We may respond in anger or if we hang around them too long we begin to use the same tactics that they use.
1 Corinthians 15:33
"33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”
Matthew 5:30 " 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to depart into hell."
However, we should not base our actions on feelings because they are not accurate. Sometimes they make us think things are bad when they are good, or that they are good when they are bad.
Feelings can be very inaccurate, we need to evaluate the situation that brought on the feelings, to see if the feelings are coming from the standpoint of reality. Feelings are nothing more than an automatic response to our perception, they need to be addressed while analyzing the actual events.
"This is how I feel, and this is what actually happened."
The devil wants nothing more than to accuse and diminish his targets. The more we agonize over not being loved by man, the less effective we can be for Christ. We may even sin to relieve the pain or lash out to stop the abuse. The devil knows our frailties, but Christ is our strength.
Psalm 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
There have been many times narcissists make us feel as though we were stupid for doing something kind. We "feel bad", that perhaps we were just a stupid person, it is not at all accurate. The reality of the situation is that others manipulate our perception to demean us, fostering a sense of worthlessness in us, it is their tactic in an attempt to control us. Somehow narcissists feel superior when they can make others inferior.
There have also been times when our association with narcissists would leave us feeling small or insignificant, the goal for them was to make sure we knew we were nothing in their eyes.
The feeling of insignificance is not accurate, it is merely an inner reaction to the gaslighting of the narcissist. The attempt on their part to guilt us into thinking we were insane, to stop our resolve in exposing evil or enlighten with the truth.
When we have given a gift, a narcissist will minimize that gift to create feelings of foolishness in us, our feeling of worthlessness or foolishness is only a reaction to their evil tactic, it is not truth.
When we focus on "facts" rather than the feelings, the narcissist no longer has power over us. When a narcissist attempts to show us our worthlessness by non-responsiveness or the silent treatment, we can assign those indulgences of theirs to the actions of a five year old having a tantrum, it has nothing to do with us, but everything to do with their own infantile purpose of hurting the one they wish to control.
When we allow Christ to control us, the narcissist will have no power over us, they will destroy relationships, but they cannot destroy us.
Proverbs 28:1-2 "1 The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are bold as a lion. 2 By the transgression of a land many are its princes, But by a man of understanding and knowledge, so it endures.…"
Expect these covert and even overt tactics frequently as we move through these end times of rebellion and contempt for Christians. The hatred toward believers is ramping up, the more we want to honor Christ, the worse narcissists will become.
When we have found ourselves goaded into responding badly, don't beat yourself up, confess it to God and continue to stand your ground. Narcissists love nothing better than to cause us to sin, leaving us guilty, it causes glee in them. It also causes them to become worse, when they see that they were able to get us to do the very things we hate to do, that is respond in kind.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 "3 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these."
1 John 1:9 "9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Why do we avoid the narcissist as described in 2 Timothy 3:5? The reason is that their evil intent can cause us to sin against God. We may respond in anger or if we hang around them too long we begin to use the same tactics that they use.
1 Corinthians 15:33
"33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”
Matthew 5:30 " 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to depart into hell."
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