SELF ADDICT

Mark 10:18
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone.

Full Sermon by Pastor Stephen Darby: https://youtu.be/5hbKhncInj8

The Bible says that we are born sinful since the fall (Romans 5:12). This means that we are born with only sinful tendencies and no ability to be “good” or righteous on our own. What we call “human nature” the Bible calls “the flesh” (Galatians 5:19-21). Part of our sin nature is a total focus on self. This focus, also called “egocentrism,” is how babies see and experience the world. Narcissism is like egocentrism in that the adult still relates to the world like an infant, a perspective that impedes personal growth and relationships.

Psychological theories about narcissism suggest that the narcissistic person uses defense mechanisms to idealize self so that he does not have to face his own mistakes (sin) or flaws (fallen state). The diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder outlines the behavior patterns of a narcissistic person as being haughty, non-empathetic, manipulative, and envious; he also possesses a sense of entitlement and grandiosity. From a biblical perspective, it is clear that these heart conditions are due to pride, which is sin (Proverbs 16:18). The Bible tells us to “look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4). The narcissist routinely disobeys this command.

Thankfully, there is an antidote to the sin of narcissism and sickness of self-obsession. In a world that promulgates self-fulfillment, self-love, self-expression, and self-help, we must instead learn to deny ourselves and submit to God’s authority. For the more He increases and we decrease, the more Christ is exalted and we are made new in His image, not our own (John 3:30)