There are a lot of narcissistic characters all through the Bible. In any case, the Bible is filled with sinners who want Jesus’ redeeming grace. And whereas it may appear odd to say, we are able to really study from completely different Bible characters’ narcissism, discovering the right way to keep away from their sinful tendencies in our lives. In different phrases, we are able to study from their unhealthy habits to stop ourselves from following their examples. They’re the epitome of what to not do.
With their classes available, let us take a look at 4 narcissistic Bible characters we are able to study from, together with Jezebel, Nabal, Nebuchadnezzar, and Devil.
1. Jezebel
The primary narcissistic Bible character I knew I needed to embody on my listing was Jezebel. Jezebel was not a great particular person as she manipulated folks, deliberately damage them, and even murdered many. Her husband was King Ahab, who was equally evil and out for blood. A person named Naboth owned a winery proper subsequent to Ahab and Jezebel’s palace. He was a form man, and Ahab provided to purchase Naboth’s winery, but Naboth refused as a result of he was adhering to God’s instructions to maintain the household winery throughout the household line. Ahab was not pleased with this reply, nor was Jezebel.
Since Naboth wouldn’t promote Ahab the winery, Ahab went residence to sulk and cry. Jezebel rebuked Ahab for his crying, after which she conspired with criminals to homicide Naboth. As soon as Naboth had been killed, Ahab and Jezebel obtained what they wished—the winery (1 Kings 21:1-16). There are a lot of extra situations all through the lifetime of Jezebel that attest to her wickedness and narcissism. We are able to study a lot from her narcissistic habits and the right way to keep away from it.
Within the modern-day, being referred to as “Jezebel” is a derogatory assertion as a result of it’s related to the evil lady Jezebel of the Bible. It will be a horrible insult for somebody to label you as a “Jezebel.” We are able to study from her narcissistic habits to not interact in a devious way of life. She manipulated and used different folks to get what she wished. As we mentioned, she even murdered a person with the intention to personal a winery. This teaches us that manipulating others solely results in harmful evil.
As Christians, slightly than manipulating others, maybe it is time we lay down our delight and easily ask for assist, or possibly we’ve got a weak dialog to debate why we’d like or need one thing. We should rebuke lies, schemes, and all prideful techniques that give us a twisted higher hand. Relatively than utilizing folks, merely ask for his or her assist with a grateful coronary heart.
We’re referred to as to abstain from narcissistic behaviors, and, as a substitute, hunt down how we are able to glorify God and stroll in obedience to His teachings.
2. Nabal
A second narcissistic Bible character we are able to study from is Nabal. Nabal was the primary husband of Abigail earlier than she met and married King David. The Bible describes Nabal for us in 1 Samuel 25:3, “His identify was Nabal and his spouse’s identify was Abigail. She was an clever and exquisite lady, however her husband was surly and imply in his dealings—he was a Calebite.” The identify “Nabal” actually means “idiot.” Nabal proved himself a idiot via his narcissistic behaviors.
When Abigail and Nabal met David for the primary time, David and his males had been touring and in want of provisions. As an alternative of giving David and his males provisions, Nabel’s narcissism brought on him to behave shrewdly and arrogantly in direction of David. Nabal made these statements, “Who is that this David? Who is that this son of Jesse? Many servants are breaking away from their masters lately. Why ought to I take my bread and water, and the meat I’ve slaughtered for my shearers, and provides it to males coming from who is aware of the place?” (1 Samuel 25:10-11). Relatively than serving to David and his males, he belittled them and selected to not assist them.
We are able to study from the narcissistic Bible character Nabal in some ways. A very powerful factor we are able to study from him is to not be stingy and prideful as such poor traits usually are not a great reflection of an individual. Everybody knew Nabal was not a form man. He was recognized to make use of different folks. As Christians, we must always not need to be recognized in the identical manner, however slightly as somebody who shines for Christ. We are able to additionally study from Nabal’s life that narcissism solely makes us seem like immoral fools, and we are going to lose the folks round us if we interact in narcissism. Later, in 1 Samuel, Abigail sends David and his males provisions and Abigail turns into David’s spouse. On account of Nabal’s narcissism and evil habits, he misplaced his partner.
Subsequently, we must always abstain from residing a narcissistic life like Nabal lived as a result of it solely pushes others away. No one desires to be round or be pals with somebody who’s a narcissist. In our every day lives, we have to study from Nabal’s errors and never deal with others as if they’re beneath us. We is not going to make any pals if we’re a narcissist, and we definitely is not going to deliver glory to God by appearing on this method.
3. Nebuchadnezzar
A 3rd narcissistic Bible character we are able to study from is Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar was king over Babylon from 605 B.C. to 562 B.C. He was a self-centered particular person who thought he was higher than everybody else. In actual fact, he noticed himself as being superior to God. He refused to acknowledge the true God and saved puffing himself as much as be the supreme chief. On account of his conceitedness and narcissism, God cursed Nebuchadnezzar to develop into like a wild animal till he acknowledged that God was actually exalted as God Most Excessive (Daniel 4:1-35).
After turning into like an animal, Nebuchadnezzar lastly did acknowledge God as most excessive, and God restored him to his sane thoughts. We are able to study via Nebuchadnezzar’s narcissism that the proper option to reside is by humbling ourselves and submitting our lives to God. We must always not imagine ourselves to be superior to God nor ought to we act arrogantly towards the Lord. Nebuchadnezzar is an ideal instance of a narcissist who misplaced every part due to his narcissism. As Christians, we are able to study from his unhealthy habits and keep away from making the identical errors as Nebuchadnezzar. In any case, who desires to be punished as a wild animal?
4. Devil
A fourth narcissistic Bible character we are able to study from is Devil. Devil has been round for a very long time, making an attempt to trigger human beings to mess up and fall. He was the serpent within the Backyard of Eden who tempted Eve to eat the fruit (Genesis 3:1-24). To this present day, Devil desires all folks to worship and comply with him slightly than God. Evilness, wickedness, and sin are the core elements of Devil’s whole being. He doesn’t care about anybody however himself.
We are able to study a lot from Devil and his narcissistic angle. For one, we don’t want to repeat his behaviors as a result of they solely damage ourselves, others, and God. Devil will use, manipulate, and abuse anybody to get what he desires. As Christians, we have to take our stand towards the satan’s schemes (Ephesians 6:10-18), however we should additionally be sure we aren’t appearing in comparable methods of dishonesty and deception. Devil desires us to comply with his narcissistic manner of existence as he is aware of it’ll pull us away from God and people we love. We are able to study from Devil the significance of following God and shunning evil.
Sooner or later, Devil will probably be thrown into the lake of fireplace alongside along with his demons, the antichrist, the false prophet, and all those that rejected Christ (Revelation 20:10). That is the punishment for pondering we’re higher than God and that we don’t want Him. As human beings, we have to study from Devil’s narcissism so that we don’t make his similar grave error of believing we do not have to serve God or obey him. It’s a harmful enterprise after we suppose we must always comply with ourselves slightly than God.
Saying “No” to Narcissism
These are solely 4 narcissistic Bible characters we are able to study from, but there are a lot of extra all through Scripture. As Christians, we should be educated about narcissism and the hazards that accompany this mind-set and residing. Narcissism may cause us to do horrible issues, akin to lie, manipulate, and even homicide others to get what we wish. As Christians, we have to abstain from narcissistic behaviors and as a substitute humble ourselves earlier than God and others. A narcissistic life doesn’t deliver glory to God, however a lifetime of love, compassion, and repair to Him brings glory that is because of God’s holy identify.
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Vivian Bricker loves Jesus, learning the Phrase of God, and serving to others of their stroll with Christ. She has earned a Bachelor of Arts and Grasp’s diploma in Christian Ministry with a deep educational emphasis in theology. Her favourite issues to do are spending time along with her household and pals, studying, and spending time outdoors. When she isn’t writing, she is embarking on different adventures.
