WWJD...

...when dealing with a narcissist?

I was talking with someone about the fact that God does not tolerate sin, and neither should we. The conversation turned to their ex-, their children’s other parent, who, by all accounts, very likely has some narcissistic traits. (And yes, I met the individual on a number of occasions and was able to form my own conclusions.)

The idea that God does not tolerate sin led to how Jesus would have dealt with the narcissists in his life. (And there are plenty of examples of narcissists in the Bible. An excellent book on this topic, which I came across long after the conversation took place, is “The First Will Be Last: A Biblical Perspective on Narcissism,” by DC Robertsson.)

Jesus called it out. “You brood of vipers.” “You hypocrites.” He also called them fools, blind guides, and serpents. “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity. Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness.” Matthew 23:27-28 (NIV)

Jesus got away. Sometimes he walked away. Sometimes he slipped away. At least once, he boarded a boat. The Pharisees wanted to kill him, but until it was his time to die on the cross for the sin of the world, he always managed to evade capture. “Who said such a thing as that?” they demanded. The man didn’t know, for Jesus had disappeared into the crowd. John 5:12-13 (NLT)

Jesus talked to his dad. He went off, by himself, so that he could connect with God the Father. If Jesus felt this was important, when he and the Father were One, how much more should we! “He went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone.” Matthew 14:23 (NIV)

Is it always wise to “call out” the narcissists in our lives?

Maybe not, but it is wise to recognize they are in our midst, posing as fine, upstanding citizens, often in positions of power and authority - having crafted an image of superiority - all the while, being driven by self-interest, a need for admiration, and a lack of genuine empathy for others.

Know that there are times when it is appropriate, even imperative, to get away from someone who has taken hold of power and is lacking in moral integrity.

Lastly, I encourage you to talk to God about all of your concerns,

because he loves you and cares about what happens to you, (and so do I.)

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (NLT)