Table of Contents
What is a Narcissist?
By definition, a narcissist is a person who has an excessive interest in or admiration of themselves. It’s one who believes the world revolves around him or her. One who is narcissistic has a disproportionate interest in oneself and one’s physical appearance.
Narcissism goes beyond just simply being self-centered. Narcissists have a distorted sense of self, and since they are preoccupied with themselves, they have little to no empathy for others. They simply are not interested in others and how they feel, because of their profound need for excessive attention.
What are the Narcissists’ Traits
For one, they expect special treatment; in fact, they may even lash out at others if they don’t get it. Since they lack empathy, they feel little or no regret when they take advantage of others.
They tend to be thin-skinned, and thus, don’t handle criticism or push back very well. In fact, it could make them downright angry. One of the ways they shield their thin skin is by exaggerating their own intelligence, looks and success. Moreover, they tend to be jealous and over sensitive.
A Root of Narcissism
When you boil it down, narcissism can be traced to insecurity. Therefore, those who struggle with this trait, require external affirmation. It’s one reason, many of them are concerned with their appearances. Of course, many cultures magnify this concern, since they are so fixated with external beauty.
That external beauty is not limited to the physical, but also to those traits pertaining to being “a good human.” For example, some will boast about their charitable giving. They want to appear generous. They want to look like a good person. While people may benefit from their giving, their motive is not altruistic.
One of the obvious reasons they have such a deep need to be the center of the universe is they never experienced true unconditional love. In their search for it, they demand it from others. Every human being is designed to love and be loved. Those who don’t experience it become broken. That brokenness manifests in a variety of ways, and one of them is narcissism.
Remember, underneath the arrogance, hyperbole and insensitivity to others is a deep sense of insecurity. It is a prison of a different sort. They need to experience the freedom found in Jesus Christ. Through Him, they can connect to perfect love.
If One Struggles with Narcissism
If you struggle with those narcissistic traits, return to your First Love. Maybe you didn’t experience the love you should have received through your parents or anyone else for that matter. That’s a hard pill to swallow; however, if you received Jesus Christ, God is your Father. You are a well-loved child. Be confident in Him and you will have true confidence for living.
Similarly, if you know someone who is a narcissist, the last thing they need is someone to reject them, or even show them they “are not all that.” They need someone who walks humbly with God, who will love him or her unconditionally. Without love, they will remain broken!
1 Corinthians 4-8 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails!
