Narcissus (1597–99) – the man in love with his own reflection.
“Man’s basic problem is preoccupation with self. He is innately beset with narcissism, a condition named after the Greek mythological character Narcissus, who spent his life admiring his reflection in a pool of water. In the final analysis, every sin results from preoccupation with self. We sin because we are totally selfish, totally devoted to ourselves, rather than to God & to others.” ~ quote.
How would you respond to the following statement: “I think a little bit of narcissism is healthy. If we are to esteem others better than ourselves, and if we don’t like ourselves, then we really aren’t going to do much for others, based on how we feel for ourselves. Without God, we are nothing, just a worm, but with God we are special, holy and righteous. Maybe love of self based on what we become when we are transfigured by God’s spirit is what we need more of.”
I think it’s understood what this person was attempting to say, but by embracing any form of narcissism, they will find themselves in error.
Perhaps they do not know the proper definition of narcissism. So, for the sake of argument, let’s define it. Narcissism is an inordinate fascination with oneself; excessive self-love; vanity. Based on this definition, do you think it is something the Christian should embrace? I would emphatically say NO, for these are the very things which the Scriptures speak AGAINST.
“For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.” Rom 12:3
The problem has always been that mankind loved themselves TOO much and this self-love is one of the very things that Paul points out in his letter to Timothy when he said,
“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self…” 2 Tim. 3:1-2
In fact, Paul says just the opposite of what what this commenter said above in Phil. 2:3:
“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”
I think also, they have a misunderstanding of righteousness. Our righteousness, before God, is an imputed one, not one that is innately ours. That is what justification is all about. There is nothing good in us, nothing pure, nothing holy – it is all based upon Christ and our standing IN Him. Yet, even in our standing in the Beloved, we must not think of ourselves as ‘special’. Jesus said the proper attitude should be thus:
“Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'” Luke 17:7-10
The Scriptures constantly speak of denying ourselves, loving ourselves less, and giving all love, esteem, confidence and glory to GOD ALONE – not ourselves. For it is not in the “loving of ourselves” that make us effective witnesses, it is the loving of our Lord – ABOVE ALL – that qualifies us for such a momentous task. Loving ourselves will not stir compassion in our hearts, but loving others MORE than ourselves… will.
Holly Sands lives in South Carolina at the foothills of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains with her loving husband, Shane, and idiot cat, Mister Bojangles. She has been blessed to travel both nationally and internationally with her husband, sharing the glorious gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Holly is co-host of the weekly podcast, “That They May All Be One“. New episodes can be heard every Tuesday on your favorite podcast app.