Can A Narcissist Be Spiritual

Spiritual narcissism is more subtle and deceptive than narcissistic personality disorder. Gerald May defines spiritual narcissism as “the unconscious use of spiritual practice and understanding to promote rather than lessen self-importance.”

Can narcissists believe in God?

A narcissist manipulates, controls, and dominates you by instilling fear in you. Even individuals who do not believe in God, such as those who are Atheistic, Agnostic, or Satanist, can be included. It is not the type of belief that is abusive, but rather how it is used.

What does the Bible say about narcissistic Behaviour?

Control is essential for a narcissist, just as it is for Satan. According to 1 John 5:19-21, the evil one has complete power over the entire world. Satan has henchmen all over the place, individuals who fuel his narcissism and are reliant on him, not believing he is bad and falling for his lies.

Are spiritual teachers narcissists?

How is it that all of this is possible? It's possible that many self-proclaimed “spiritual teachers” are really self-deluded morons or charlatans. However, I do not believe this is the entire story. Spiritual instructors' shortcomings are, at least in part, a product of the role itself. Some spiritual teachers may have always been narcissists, while others are transformed into them. Such teachers may be genuinely awakened at first, but their power and authority gradually corrupts them, causing their awareness to fade and them to become lost in self-indulgence and delusion. The projections of their followers, who treat them as wonderful beings even when they conduct unethically, inflate their egos. Any brutal or exploitative behavior is rationalized as a “test” or “divine play,” and the teachers' moral compass is lost. They've inflated to monster proportions the egos they were meant to have ‘shed' a long time ago.

The issue is that a move to a higher-functioning, more expanded state of being (i.e. alertness) does not always ‘clear the slate.'

There may be some leftover bad tendencies that are accentuated by the spiritual teacher's function. There may be a narcissistic or authoritarian inclination – even a minor one – that has never been plainly obvious before. However, these inclinations persist, and what began as a teeny-tiny seed of a bad trait has grown into a glaring personality flaw. What may have started out as a minor proclivity for self-indulgence erupts into a rock star level of excess and degeneracy.

What is narcissism spiritually?

We become wiser people as we grow spiritually, able to transcend our egos and accept each other without judgment. Furthermore, spiritual training institutions claim that practicing accepting, attentive being-in-the-here-and-now can improve your ability to eat, sleep, listen, focus, love, laugh, and live a happier life. There are a variety of spiritual trainings available, ranging from energy training with no scientific basis – such as learning to read or cure auras and chakras, or regressing people to former lifetimes – to methods with proven benefits, such as mindfulness training. Many components of Buddhist teachings that underpin many spiritual systems, such as the premise that people increase their suffering by their own worries and aversion to life's inconveniences, such as failure and rejection, have empirical backing. However, regardless of the training system in place, there is one permanent human fault that obstructs the path to spiritual enlightenment: our ego.

Look how enlightened I am!

Our ego is constantly on the hunt for ways to bolster its own sense of grandeur and uniqueness. It happens whether you achieve success at job, in sports, or in relationships – and it also happens when you achieve spiritual achievement. For example, you may notice that you have grown more authentic as a result of your spiritual training, or someone may commend you on it. Then, in an unguarded moment, your ego emerges from the bushes to seize control of the success: ‘See how terrific I'm doing!' – and your sincerity vanishes. Because your ego now wants to utilize it to impress others with your newfound knowledge or to make you feel exceptional.

“Success is a tremendous liability if your posture in life is not naturally modest,” an executive recruiter once told me. Everything is adopted by the ego for its own benefit. Spiritual narcissism is the assumption that your spiritual expertise makes you more special than others. It can be used to protect yourself from criticism, impress others, or boost your self-esteem and make you feel better about yourself. When you feel like you're making progress on your spiritual path, it's easy to think of yourself as superior. But, in essence, it means you missed a key turn.

What is the spiritual root of narcissism?

Narcissism can be traced back to ancient Greek philosophy, when one of the young Gods (the gorgeous Narcissus) fell in love with his reflection in a pool of water. He died of malnutrition and self-absorption as a result of his self-absorption. Since then, the term narcissism has come to represent an obsession with outward appearance and an excessive amount of self-indulgence – a condition that is frequently a sign of emotional immaturity.

Can God forgive a narcissist?

Describe Jesus in your own words. Now give an example of a narcissist. It doesn't look that the two will ever come together. What if, on the other hand, love triumphs?

When Narcissism Comes to Church, by Chuck DeGroat, “A descriptor like ‘narcissist' describes the persona, the mask, a part of someone, but it doesn't account for our fundamental ‘real self' concealed with Christ in God, like other descriptors (doctor, parent, diabetic, etc.).

Wait…what? Is it possible for a narcissist to be concealed in Christ and welcomed by Him? Yes! And thank God for it! Literally.

In our culture, the term narcissism is thrown around casually. Celebrities, bosses, coworkers, and even preachers are all described in this way. It should not be taken lightly. The word narcissist comes from the Greek word narcissus, which means “narcissist.” “I'm numb.” Narcissists are oblivious to their own and others' sorrow. People who have experienced the pain of narcissism, on the other hand, will adamantly assert that it is nothing to joke about! It hurts to be made to feel crazy, wrong, insecure, and bewildered; it leaves a bad taste in one's mouth “field of relationship garbage” (DeGroat).

Narcissists can't stand being alone “Humanity's limitations.” Because of this shortcoming, narcissists frequently use shaming and blaming to exert control, sometimes publicly (overtly) and sometimes subtly (under the radar) (covertly). They show grandiosity, entitlement, a need for adoration, and a lack of empathy for those who are enslaved by them. They appear talented, charismatic, charming, confident, strong leadership, and devoted to God (some could even claim) to the outer world “God is “on fire” for him). To the observer, these characteristics appear to be strengths, yet this Jekyll and Hyde demeanor may make even the most normal people feel nuts.

As difficult as it is to feel sympathy for someone who is hurting another, keep in mind that a narcissist is not born; he or she is created, usually through trauma. It's something you've picked up through time. Narcissists are frequently oblivious to their own motivations for their actions (DeGroat). Attention seeking, the desire for approval, a lack of empathy, a sense of entitlement, and a lack of closeness are all characteristics that the narcissist is often unaware of. According to DeGroat, “The more powerful someone is, the more pronounced their narcissistic behavior will be, potentially causing problems in relationships, employment, and other areas of life.” Is this enough to justify their actions? Certainly not! This knowledge, on the other hand, may provide you a different perspective on the behavior, or even validate what you're experiencing.

If you're caught in a narcissist's trap, remember one thing: it's not you! You're not insane, you're not a loser, and you're not worthless! You are a priceless God's kid “A divinely appointed royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9). This is true not only for you, but also for the narcissist (hard to swallow, I know). Jesus' love, forgiveness, kindness, and truth are all available to everyone. It is for everyone (John 3:16). According to 1 Peter 3:18, “Christ, the innocent for the guilty, suffered and died for your sins once and for all in order to bring you closer to God…” We've all sinned and need God's forgiveness (Romans 3:23). I'm just as bad as the narcissist when it comes to sin. My sin may not have the same impact, crippling, or hurt as a narcissist's sin, but it still requires God's forgiveness.

True, God's love covers even the narcissist's sin, but that does not excuse the narcissist's actions. It doesn't mean you have to put up with it. If you find yourself caught in a narcissist's web, whether at home, work, church, or elsewhere, know that you have the power to set boundaries, ask for help, and, if necessary, walk away.