Church Narcissism?

Narcissist - a person who has an excessive interest in or admiration of themselves.

• PSYCHOLOGY
  selfishness, involving a sense of entitlement, a lack of empathy, and a need for admiration, as characterizing a personality type.
• PSYCHOANALYSIS
  self-centeredness arising from failure to distinguish the self from external objects, either in very young babies or as a feature of mental disorder.

​Today, a narcissist is a term thrown about to describe politicians, Hollywood celebrities, and pro athletes who appear to live a self-adoration existence believing they MUST share their 'enlightenments' to us 'common folk'.  How else could we carry on?

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Unfortunately, I believe narcissism is alive and well (actually a sickness) in the Church where 'celebrity' preachers' tweak God's Word for the itching ears of the masses seeking entertainment not God. These preachers are more concerned with offending society than God.  note: never tweak God's Word, and never come to church for entertainment. Luke 18:10-14

Narcissism in the church exists when...

• putting our self interests ahead of God's teaching.
• we prop ourselves up be noticed for our talents, our service, sharing nuggets of wisdom, or displaying a general aura of Godliness.  ​ ​

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Also, a subtle church narcissism can be fueled by insecurities. We skew our thoughts  often fueled by anxious busy minds, and/or hurt feelings to where we lose sight of God. These self preservation fears will drive us inward, and away from God's will as much as any of the above ego-motivated narcissism. Sadly none of us are exempt from the pull of 'Christian Narcissism'. 

note: Of course Christian Narcissism is a oxymoron of Biblical proportions. The behavior of Narcissism is anything but Christian, but makes for a catchy title.

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Recently my wife and I started a small group Bible study with friends from our church. We are reading The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer .. and in this short book Tozer prescribes the cure for Narcissism. 

• Know God pursues us, and we should pursue God Matthew 18:11-13
• Read & Study God's Word (His Truth) Psalm 119:11-18
• being quiet and prayerful before God, Psalm 46:10 , Matthew 6:5-6
• Repent of our sins, and receive His Amazing Grace. 1 John 1:9
• From here we can truly love God, and others as ourselves... Matthew 22:36-40
  
  * free of narcissism *​

This is my prayer for God's Church. To pursue His Truth, and to serve in the church and in the world in ways that make us the Body of Christ.  We (the Church) are one body with many parts (denominations, giftedness, talents) and designed for the Glory of God.

Blessings

Jeff (one body, many aches) Larson

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