How can we understand narcissism from a biblical perspective? We all deal with self-absorption and narcissistic tendencies, but Narcissistic Personality Disorder runs deeper. We discuss how such a person can change, and how to understand someone who is narcissistic.
Narcissus by Caravaggio
With the current discussion in our culture around victims of abuse, narcissism has become a trending topic in newspapers and magazines. The purpose of this article is to cover narcissism from a biblical perspective. The word narcissism is not in the Bible, but the principle is definitely found in its pages.
The word “narcissist” comes from a Greek myth about a young man named Narcissus who fell in love with his own reflection. After gazing into a pool of water, he became so enamored with himself that he fell in and drowned. While the story of Narcissus doesn't appear in scripture, we can see many parallels with the Jezebel Spirit.
The word “narcissist” comes from a Greek myth about a young man named Narcissus who fell in love with his own reflection. After gazing into a pool of water, he became so enamored with himself that he fell in and drowned. While the story of Narcissus doesn't appear in scripture, we can see many parallels with the Jezebel Spirit.
The Jezebel Spirit
Painting by John Liston Byam Shaw
The Jezebel Spirit is named after the wicked queen of Israel (1 Kings). She manipulated her husband and convinced him to kill a man for his vineyard. Jezebel is also mentioned in the book of Revelation by Christ himself. He states that she led the Church of Thyratira into sexual immorality and idolatry (Revelation 2:18-29).
While this Jezebel was not the same exact person as described in the Old Testament, it was the same spirit as the evil queen of Israel in 1 Kings. What is the root of the Jezebel spirit? Manipulation and control, which stem from narcissism and self-centeredness.
While this Jezebel was not the same exact person as described in the Old Testament, it was the same spirit as the evil queen of Israel in 1 Kings. What is the root of the Jezebel spirit? Manipulation and control, which stem from narcissism and self-centeredness.
We are all Narcissists to Some Degree
If we are really honest with ourselves, we recognize that we all are narcissistic to some degree or another. We are all self-centered. Theologians Augustine and Martin Luther describe this self-interest as Incurvatus in se, which is a Latin word meaning "curved inward on oneself,” that is, a life lived inward toward oneself, rather than outward and serving others.
Becoming more like Christ means growing in other-centeredness, where our heart curves outward toward other people rather than remaining inward. Narcissism is not grounded in love. Narcissism is grounded in fear. Fear of what?
Those who are narcissistic are dealing with all of these fears. Yet perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). We need the Spirit of God to help turn our inward hearts toward other people. How about those who are in a relationship with a narcissist? Aren't they already other-focused by taking care of the narcissist?
Actually, those in a relationship with a narcissist will often struggle with the same fears listed above and thus be sucked in the black hole of narcissism in another. Victims of narcissistic abuse can remain in an abusive relationship for years because they also deal with the same fears. This creates a toxic codependent dynamic that is based on fear and control, rather than love. So how do we recognize and deal with toxic narcissism in another person?
Becoming more like Christ means growing in other-centeredness, where our heart curves outward toward other people rather than remaining inward. Narcissism is not grounded in love. Narcissism is grounded in fear. Fear of what?
- Fear that you're going to be forgotten.
- Fear that you're going to be ignored.
- Fear that you're not going to be taking care of.
- Fear that you're not going to be loved.
Those who are narcissistic are dealing with all of these fears. Yet perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). We need the Spirit of God to help turn our inward hearts toward other people. How about those who are in a relationship with a narcissist? Aren't they already other-focused by taking care of the narcissist?
Actually, those in a relationship with a narcissist will often struggle with the same fears listed above and thus be sucked in the black hole of narcissism in another. Victims of narcissistic abuse can remain in an abusive relationship for years because they also deal with the same fears. This creates a toxic codependent dynamic that is based on fear and control, rather than love. So how do we recognize and deal with toxic narcissism in another person?
Understanding Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)
When narcissism is deeply rooted, we may be dealing with someone who has Narcissistic Personality Disorder or NPD. Personality disorders are deeply engrained beliefs and behaviors that are difficult, but not impossible, to treat. Rather than a simple remodel, the very frame of the house is affected and needs to be renovated from the ground up. What are the traits of those with Narcissistic Personality Disorder? According to the DSM-IV, those with NPD exhibit at least five out of nine of these traits:
This is just a brief overview to give you an idea of several characteristics of those with NPD. The criteria has since been updated and expanded in the DSM-V.
What would make a person give into these attitudes and behaviors? The answer harkens back to our earlier discussion on fear. Self-centeredness is compensatory. Those with NPD have an extremely fragile center. They lack any sense of real self. Those with NPD are not actually in love with their true selves. They're in love with an idea of themselves. Whenever this idea or image is threatened, they get extremely upset. Those with NPD are enamored with the idea of who they believe they are or who they believe they should be. This allows them to turn attention away from the deep hole within themselves.
- Has a grandiose sense of self-importance.
- Preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love.
- Believes they are “special” and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions).
- Requires excessive admiration.
- Has a sense of entitlement.
- Takes advantage of others to achieve own ends.
- Lacks empathy.
- Envious of others or believes others are envious of them.
- Shows arrogant haughty behavior or attitude.
This is just a brief overview to give you an idea of several characteristics of those with NPD. The criteria has since been updated and expanded in the DSM-V.
What would make a person give into these attitudes and behaviors? The answer harkens back to our earlier discussion on fear. Self-centeredness is compensatory. Those with NPD have an extremely fragile center. They lack any sense of real self. Those with NPD are not actually in love with their true selves. They're in love with an idea of themselves. Whenever this idea or image is threatened, they get extremely upset. Those with NPD are enamored with the idea of who they believe they are or who they believe they should be. This allows them to turn attention away from the deep hole within themselves.
Can Those with NPD Change?
Side Note: It is generally not effective to verbally accuse somebody else of having NPD. You may have your reasons for suspecting so, but because there is a lot of stigma around mental illness, labeling or diagnosing another person as a weapon is neither responsible or helpful.
So can someone with NPD change? God can change anyone, yet those with personality disorders are in for a long battle. Dr. Frederick DiBlasio, a Christian therapist, describes those with personality disorders as having “emotional dyslexia.” He writes in The Popular Encyclopedia of Christian Counseling:
Christian counselors may help NPD clients by engaging them with the love of Christ, emphasizing their strengths, showing admiration for these strengths, advocating that family members do the same, and addressing the “emotional dyslexia” as a brain problem that is usually activated in close interpersonal relationships. (Sometimes when NPD is severe, it is activated also in other relationships). God created all human beings with the capacity not to give way to temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13). When tempted, NPD patients can learn not to trust their immediate feelings, but instead to allow other areas of their brains to guide their behavior.
We need to remember that those with personality disorders are suffering, even if they don’t understand how their behavior is hurting others and ultimately themselves. Yet at the same time, those in close relationships with those who have NPD do not have to allow themselves to be subjected to abuse.
Christian counselors may help NPD clients by engaging them with the love of Christ, emphasizing their strengths, showing admiration for these strengths, advocating that family members do the same, and addressing the “emotional dyslexia” as a brain problem that is usually activated in close interpersonal relationships. (Sometimes when NPD is severe, it is activated also in other relationships). God created all human beings with the capacity not to give way to temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13). When tempted, NPD patients can learn not to trust their immediate feelings, but instead to allow other areas of their brains to guide their behavior.
We need to remember that those with personality disorders are suffering, even if they don’t understand how their behavior is hurting others and ultimately themselves. Yet at the same time, those in close relationships with those who have NPD do not have to allow themselves to be subjected to abuse.
Responding to Those with NPD
What if we are convinced that our partner has Narcissistic Personality Disorder? Rather than stewing on what they need to change, or allowing any form of abuse to continue, we need to focus on taking care of ourselves in healthy ways. Here is some perspective for those in a relationship with someone who has NPD:
Recognize that this is not a normal situation.
You are not dealing with an individual who is able to appropriately express and deal with emotions. You are dealing with someone who is inhibited in this area. Using tactics that would work in other relationship situations may not work with an NPD partner—in fact, they may backfire.
Recognize manipulation and abuse.
Those with NPD process their emotions (and identity) in unhealthy ways through their relationships with others. Learn to recognize a type of abuse and manipulation called gaslighting. The term comes from a 1944 film called Gaslight, and is about a woman who is manipulated by her husband into believing that she is slowly going crazy. Gaslighting from an abuser makes a victim doubt their own instincts and sense of reality.
Set boundaries.
Learn what healthy boundaries are and how to set them. You are not called to be someone else's punching bag. By setting boundaries, you are no longer allowing the person to sin against you. You are stepping aside and allowing them to be responsible for themselves and to be accountable to God. If there is ongoing abuse, it may mean separating—sometimes to the point of no contact.
Take care of yourself.
Recognize that you cannot fill the empty hole inside someone else, especially someone with NPD. While compassion is called for to understand that those with mental illness are suffering, know that you cannot be that person's savior. Lower your expectations regarding what your partner with NPD is able to provide to you emotionally. Take ownership of your emotional health and keep healthy boundaries. See a Christian counselor who can help you in all the areas mentioned above.
Do some research.
Continue to learn about NPD, especially from sources that focus on helping victims of abuse. Learn how to recognize manipulation and set healthy boundaries.
Recognize that this is not a normal situation.
You are not dealing with an individual who is able to appropriately express and deal with emotions. You are dealing with someone who is inhibited in this area. Using tactics that would work in other relationship situations may not work with an NPD partner—in fact, they may backfire.
Recognize manipulation and abuse.
Those with NPD process their emotions (and identity) in unhealthy ways through their relationships with others. Learn to recognize a type of abuse and manipulation called gaslighting. The term comes from a 1944 film called Gaslight, and is about a woman who is manipulated by her husband into believing that she is slowly going crazy. Gaslighting from an abuser makes a victim doubt their own instincts and sense of reality.
Set boundaries.
Learn what healthy boundaries are and how to set them. You are not called to be someone else's punching bag. By setting boundaries, you are no longer allowing the person to sin against you. You are stepping aside and allowing them to be responsible for themselves and to be accountable to God. If there is ongoing abuse, it may mean separating—sometimes to the point of no contact.
Take care of yourself.
Recognize that you cannot fill the empty hole inside someone else, especially someone with NPD. While compassion is called for to understand that those with mental illness are suffering, know that you cannot be that person's savior. Lower your expectations regarding what your partner with NPD is able to provide to you emotionally. Take ownership of your emotional health and keep healthy boundaries. See a Christian counselor who can help you in all the areas mentioned above.
Do some research.
Continue to learn about NPD, especially from sources that focus on helping victims of abuse. Learn how to recognize manipulation and set healthy boundaries.
Talk to an Expert About Dealing with a Narcissist
Learning to deal with a narcissist? The following counselors on our staff have special training and insight on helping those dealing with narcissistic partners. We are able to provide online counseling through video conferencing on our telehealth platform.
Book Recommendations
Works Cited
- “Incurvatus in Se.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 22 Jan. 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incurvatus_in_se.
- American Psychological Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 4th ed. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association, 1994. Print.
- DiBlasio, Frederick A. “Narcissistic Personality Disorder.” The Popular Encyclopedia of Christian Counseling, by Timothy E. Clinton, Harvest House Publishers, 2011, pp. 242–243.
