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 In
the field of psychiatry this person is thought to have a personality
disorder that reflects that person’s overestimation of his personal
attributes and appearance. This person craves attention and has an
excessive need to be admired by others.
People with narcissistic tendencies may be seen regularly holding a
camera at arm’s length and 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 their image and how much more
beautiful they are by comparison with others who might surround
them. Another example might be their constant desire and push to be
center stage in every situation even when there is really no logical
reason for them to be there.
The Bible advises 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 not to 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 in 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 of us 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.
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Perhaps this presents a fuller understanding of
Solomon’s intent in this passage:
“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 to 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, but 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 speech for our body)
responds to healing. When a person in the desert is dying, due to
dehydration, water brings essential renewal and refreshment.
Likewise, turning toward God brings Spiritual renewal and
refreshment to the narcissistic self. 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 sinks deeply
into our inner being right down to the bones.
As a result our narcissistic behaviors are replaced by God-given
Spiritual renewal. Instead of drawing all the glory to ourselves, we
willingly and passionately turn back from the spotlight and give all
the glory and honor to God Almighty.
Jim Killebrew
Lincoln
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