A good Biblical example of a Narcissist was Simon Magus. In Acts 8:9, Simon, by his practice of sorcery, tried to "give out that himself was some great one." Scripture records Simon's conversion to Christianity, and there is nothing in the text to suggest that it was not authentic. After his conversion, Simon expresses great interest in manifesting the miraculous powers of God. But the purpose of his ministry remained the same. It was still sought to hold-out himself as some great one. Only now, he sought to do it by miracles seen in the apostles rather than sorcery. (vs. 13-19). He would be the one to dispense the Holy Spirit to Christians. He would be the source of their spiritual nourishment, the giver of every good gift.
Lyrics to a Christian song written by songwriter Andre Crouch declare, "All that I am, or every will be, I owe it all to thee."
This is basically the song of a narcissist, but with one slight twist. It goes: "All that you are, or ever will be, you owe it all to me."
Narcissists have a way of taking credit for everything. They are the source of all goodness, pleasure, knowledge, and . . . well . . . everything that you are today, and all good that has ever happened to you.
Most of us have had such an emotional parasite in our lives at some time. Perhaps it was the baby Christian who was "instructing" you that the Bible teaches that Jesus is God, as if this were a great revelation to you. Or a baby Christian instructing you that that the Bible teaches against pre-marital sex, with a delusional tone that they is actually telling you something you didn't know.
In my life, I%u2019ve had five such "fixers." Christians who sought to somehow take credit for everything I was, and everything I had ever done as a Christian. They tried to make themselves my self appointed "handler," delusionally imagining themselves to be grooming me into all what I were, or ever would be.
Invariably, my parasitic narcissistic %u201Cfixer,%u201D would announce to me (or others), how much "progress" you had made under their tutelage.
Compare this to the humility of Paul's testimony and invitation to Agrippa in Acts 26:25-28:
25 "But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.
26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.
27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.
28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
In his testimony before King Agrippa, Paul does not try to make himself out as the great savior of Agrippa's soul. To the contrary, Paul frames his words carefully, acknowledging (perhaps even pretending) that King Agrippa was familiar with the entire account of which Paul speaks, and, should Agrippa come to believe, Paul puts himself in a position that he does not even take credit for being the one who leads Agrippa to saving faith in Christ. %u201CKing Agrippa, believest though the prophets? I know that thou believest.%u201D
Ending our personal testimony with an invitation to believe is good. Doing it with humility is even better! People can tell when we seek to use them as a spiritual trophy. Let us follow Paul%u2019s example in leading other%u2019s to Christ.
