“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18

​Proverbs 16:18 warns that “pride goes before destruction,” highlighting the danger of self‑elevation. “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

"Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental health condition in which people have an unreasonably high sense of their own importance. They need and seek too much attention and want people to admire them. People with this disorder may lack the ability to understand or care about the feelings of others. But behind this mask of extreme confidence, they are not sure of their self-worth and are easily upset by the slightest criticism." (Mayo Clinic)

"Narcissism is a self-centered personality style characterized as having an excessive preoccupation with oneself and one's own needs, often at the expense of others." (Narcissism - Wikipedia)

Symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder can vary in severity. People with the disorder:

• Bring the focus of attention back to themselves no matter the discussion.
• Find it impossible to admit fault.
• Do not respond well to being criticised.
• Exaggerate their own achievements to the point of confusing truth and lies.
• Have difficulty telling the truth.
• Have an unreasonably high sense of self-importance and require constant, excessive admiration.
• Are generally not really interested in others.
  
• Expect to be recognized as superior even without achievements.
• Make their achievements and talents seem bigger than they are.
• Bragging and boasting are common, often extreme, and often not truthful, accurate, exact or fully honest.
• Are preoccupied with fantasies about success, power, brilliance.
• Believe they are superior to others and can only spend time with or be understood by equally special people.
• Be critical of and look down on people they feel are not important.
• Expect special favours and expect other people to do what they want without questioning them.
• Take advantage of others to get what they want.
• Have an inability or unwillingness to recognize the needs and feelings of others.
• Behave arrogantly, brag a lot and come across as conceited.
• Belittle other people to make themselves appear superior.

The Bible suggests it is better for us not to just focus on ourselves but to have an outward concern for others. 
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"Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4)

One of the main concerns I have for a narcissist may be their inability to see their need for Jesus. With such an unhealthy, exaggerated, "superior" view of themselves, especially compared to other "lesser" people, they may dismiss Christianity as not being for them. They may think it is okay for others, but that they do not need it. This may affect their coming to the truth and realization that they do indeed need Jesus, as every human being does.

Thankfully, this situation is not beyond divine intervention. So, for those with loved ones who may be narcissistic, do not despair; continue your prayers for that person and continue trusting that God will indeed answer those prayers to save that person.

Full article.

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