Can a true Christian be a narcissist?

Question

Here are the traits of a narcissist according to a psychology handbook:

* Grandiose sense of one's own abilities or achievements * Fantasies about having exceptional power, attractiveness or success
* Sense of belonging to an exclusive group of people who truly understand each other
* Need for constant praise
* Expectations of special treatment
* Exploitation of other people * Lack of empathy for other people * Envy of other people or a belief that you are the subject of other people's envy
* Haughty or arrogant behaviors

I once dated a person who had these characteristics. Let me tell you it was just awful. These traits appear to be opposite of the people Paul talks about in Galatians 5:22-24 who are led by the Spirit.

Answer 1

--IF ONE deliberately practices the defined aspects of the me-first god, (as in your definition)its only a label the so-called Christian has!
--Doing our best to shed any aspect of Narcissis is indeed a must if in fact we want to be a sincere follower of Christ!
--This recipe would always help if we are sincere in our imperfect efforts to follow the sterling example of Christ:

(2 Peter 1:5-8) “5 Yes, for this very reason, by YOUR contributing in response all earnest effort, supply to YOUR faith virtue, to [YOUR] virtue knowledge, 6 to [YOUR] knowledge self-control, to [YOUR] self-control endurance, to [YOUR] endurance godly devotion, 7 to [YOUR] godly devotion brotherly affection, to [YOUR] brotherly affection love. 8 For if these things exist in YOU and overflow, they will prevent YOU from being either inactive or unfruitful regarding the accurate knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Answer 2

Narcissism is a psychochological disorder. My husband happens to suffer from it as well as some others. I guess you really didn't wantthis answer, but it is YES. Even the apostle Paul spoke of a malady "that kept slapping at him".

*** w88 10/15 p. 25 Mental Distress—When It Afflicts a Christian ***

MENTAL-HEALTH experts say that perhaps 1 in 5 individuals in the United States suffers some sort of recognizable mental disorder. The World Health Organization adds that there may be as many as 40 million untreated cases of mental illness in developing lands. Mental problems have even been discovered among some inhabitants of the paradisaic Pacific isles.

It should therefore not surprise us that a number of Christians today experience mental or emotional difficulties ranging from simple anxiety and mild depression to serious illnesses such as major depression, bipolar disorders (manic-depression), phobias, and schizophrenia. Some had such problems before becoming Witnesses, while others have begun suffering distress in their older years.


*** g86 9/8 p. 6 Taking the Mystery out of Mental Illness ***

Recall, though, that the Bible tells of an ill woman who “had been put to many pains by many physicians and had spent all her resources and had not been benefited but, rather, had got worse.” Only Jesus Christ was able to heal her. (Mark 5:25-29) Medical science today is likewise limited. True, one can take reasonable steps to attain a measure of relief. But rather than getting trapped on a treadmill of searching for an elusive cure, some may simply have to learn to live with and endure the problem.

Knowing that God deeply cares for us, however, can ease much anxiety. (1 Peter 5:6, 7) “Jehovah has sustained me through this and many other trials,” says Irene. She also has the hope of a coming new system under Jesus Christ in which “no resident will say: ‘I am sick.’” (Isaiah 33:24; 2 Peter 3:13)

Answer 3

I am not sure that I know what "true christian" means. Are they a special sort? Are only some christians saved? Did christ die only for his best mates?

But as to you question - every christian I have ever met, heard of or read about throughout history exhibits some or all of these traits.

They are all grandiose in their sense of importance to god, all fantasise about being able to change the world (especially through prayer, which has now been proved not to work), all fiercely hold to the exlcusivity of their group (look at how many factions there are in the church), all need constant reaffirmation of love and praise from those around them.

There is a total lack of empathy in most christians - they are quick to tell others they are going to hell, and their treatment of groups like gays is nothing short of horrific (in fact, its exactly the same as the Nazis, who had the same views).

So it looks to me like its ACTUALLY a prerequisite for being a "true" christian.

Answer 4

Atheists look for reality. we are to no longer choose the entire by the few. Many atheists are nicely researched reality in seek of human beings purely like Christians. Many Christians have by no potential study the Bible, don't comprehend lots scripture yet are greater specific than human beings that do. i've got self assurance however atheists are much less alongside the course in direction of reality as a results of fact i've got self assurance the Bible is reality.

Answer 5

Many Christian denominations believe that salvation is by the grace of God alone and received by anyone who is a believer. For those denominations, a person's actions are irrelevant. I'm sure whatever psychological conditions a person might have would also be unimportant.

Anyway, whether a person is a true Christian is between him/her and God. I wouldn't worry about it if I were you.

Answer 6

No. But this is a twisted question as one can twist some of your list of symptoms to apply to Christians. As you said, narcissim is contrary to Spirit-indwelt Christians since all of reality is really all about the Trine God of the Bible.

Answer 7

Not a true christian. Narcissist and Pride sound the same.. We know where pride came from

Answer 8

Zomg, that description of nacissistic traits you posted describes the Christian god perfectly!

Answer 9

No how can someone be focused on themselves and their desires to the expense of others and be in keeping with the teachings of Christ?

Answer 10

It's practically a requirement.