 People with narcissistic tendencies may be seen excessively holding a camera
at arm’s length snapping their own picture…then posting it on social web
sites for all their friends to see and admire. They will crave the constant
feedback of how superior they are by comparison with others who might
surround them.
The Bible proclaims in Proverbs 3:7-8,
“Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It
shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.” (Proverbs 3:7-8 KJV)
Solomon, being inspired by God, wrote these words for us to know and
understand our relationship with God. We are admonished to not think of
ourselves more highly than others, and not be so impressed with our own
wisdom. Our wisdom is faulty and sometimes leads to conclusions that are
different from truth and reality. I once knew a man who was boisterous and
loud; always wanting to inject himself into others’ conversations. He would
join himself to their conversations and begin talking over others, all the
while looking around to see who might be watching. When he saw another he
knew he would shout out to them even if they were across the street. He
thought he was admired and sought after as a conversation partner, but the
truth was most people dreaded to see him heading their way.
Each of us of course possesses a certain amount of insight into situations
and happenings around us. Most are intuitive and able to discern
implications and conclusions from the information we receive. But there is a
higher source of insight that is beyond the insight of even the most learned
men and women. When we begin to walk the path that leads to fearing God
through respect, reverence and worship, we begin to learn insights that come
from a much higher source than our own. In fact, our own self-centered
insight is deemed as evil when it refuses to honor God through respect and
worship. Perhaps a better understanding of Solomon’s intent in this passage
would be something like
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 “It is evil to think of yourself as being so
wise that you are rejecting the Wisdom of God, therefore, you must
stop thinking in this self-centered way. Instead, turn to God and
have respect and reverence for Him, and turn away from your own evil
intent.”
Once having turned from that evil, we can look for the blessings
that will come from God. There is a promise that is linked to
fearing (respecting) God and tuning into His Wisdom. As we worship
Him and seek His will for our lives, we shed ourselves of that
self-centeredness that is a hindrance that keeps us from Him. When
we completely yield ourselves to Him something miraculous happens:
He sends His Spirit to dwell in our heart so that we can worship Him
in Spirit and in Truth. We can never completely rid ourselves of our
narcissistic self-centeredness that weighs us down; we must yield to
Him so that His power can strengthen us, and help bring us closer to
Him.
When that happens, the navel (as a figure of our body) responds to
healing. Just as water to a person dying in a desert becoming
dehydrated with a loss of consciousness brings renewal and freshness
to the physical body, the turning from evil narcissistic
self-centeredness and turning toward God brings a Spiritual renewal
and refreshment. As we continue to yield ourselves to God and accept
His Spiritual renewal, that freshness grows into a Wisdom that comes
directly from Him and it sinks deeply into our inner being right to
the bones.
From that vantage our narcissistic behaviors are replaced by
God-given Spiritual renewal. Instead of rising to receive all the
glory for ourselves, we willingly and passionately back away from
the spotlight and give all the glory and honor to God Almighty.
[By JIM KILLEBREW]
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