Narcissus was a hunter from Thespiae in Boeotia. A young man said to be the son of the river god Cephissus and nymph Liriope, Narcissus was known for being quite a handsome fellow. Indeed, he was beautiful.
Unfortunately, Narcissus was all to aware of his studly status. He was proud and arrogant and disdained those who loved him, taking them for granted. It is said that the Greek goddess Nemesis noticed this behavior and attracted Narcissus to a pool with a crystal clear reflection.
Narcissus saw his reflection in the water and instantly became enamoured with it, falling in love with his reflection not realising it was merely an image. At the same time, Narcissus was all to aware that the reflection was relatively inanimate and impersonal. So in love with his reflection was Narcissus, that he was unable to tear himself away. Eventually Narcissus lost his will to live, staring at his reflection until he died.
Narcissus is the origin of the term narcissism, a fixation with oneself and one's physical appearance or public perception.
Unfortunately, Narcissus was all to aware of his studly status. He was proud and arrogant and disdained those who loved him, taking them for granted. It is said that the Greek goddess Nemesis noticed this behavior and attracted Narcissus to a pool with a crystal clear reflection.
Narcissus saw his reflection in the water and instantly became enamoured with it, falling in love with his reflection not realising it was merely an image. At the same time, Narcissus was all to aware that the reflection was relatively inanimate and impersonal. So in love with his reflection was Narcissus, that he was unable to tear himself away. Eventually Narcissus lost his will to live, staring at his reflection until he died.
Narcissus is the origin of the term narcissism, a fixation with oneself and one's physical appearance or public perception.
How is narcissism primarily reflected in our society? We are obsessed with personal appearance and public perception. We are all about pleasing people and attempt to do so without asking 'Is what I am doing pleasing to God'. We are concerned purely for the here and now of life and give no consideration to the future, much less eternity.
Narcissism plays out in the entitlement complex rife among millennials today. A study of millennials conducted a Dr Joshua Grubbs, and published in the Psychological Bulletin is quoted by Spring magazine as saying:
"At extreme levels, entitlement is a toxic narcissistic trait, repeatedly exposing people to the risk of feeling frustrated, unhappy and disappointed with life.Often times, life, health, ageing and the social world don’t treat us as well as we’d like.Confronting these limitations is especially threatening to an entitled person because it violates their worldview of self-superiority."
Consider today's movements and mantras that attempt to build self-esteem, self-dependence, self-sufficiency, and feelings of self-worth. Notice. Its all about self. Surely it can be seen that this is not good, right, or healthy for people or society?
Love and healthy relationships are built on sacrifice. Indeed, every remembrance season at services and memorials for fallen soldiers we hear the words of Jesus 'Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.' (John 15.13) And yet we cannot live in this way and cannot truly be selfless in most cases unless we are looking to follow the example of Jesus who not only died for his friends, but also we who at some point in life have been his enemies (Romans 5.7-10). For those who are living for self, and worshipping self the only way to deliverance from this self-destructive mentality and its associated morality (or lack thereof), is to look to Jesus Christ and come to know what it means to follow him.
For those still struggling with latent narcissism, people pleasing, and the obsession with other's approval consider the Apostle Paul's words in Galatians 1.10
George Mueller lived a life of unreal profitability, caring for 10,024 orphans and establishing 117 schools among other endeavours in his life. When asked about the secret of his service he said,
“There was a day when I died, utterly died; died to George Mueller, his opinions, preferences, tastes, and will; died to the world, its approval or censure; died to the approval or blame even of my brethren and friends; and since then I have studied to show myself approved only to God.”
You cannot save yourself from the world's shame on one hand or God's just punishment on the other by serving self. It's time for the Narcissus in you to die.
Narcissism plays out in the entitlement complex rife among millennials today. A study of millennials conducted a Dr Joshua Grubbs, and published in the Psychological Bulletin is quoted by Spring magazine as saying:
"At extreme levels, entitlement is a toxic narcissistic trait, repeatedly exposing people to the risk of feeling frustrated, unhappy and disappointed with life.Often times, life, health, ageing and the social world don’t treat us as well as we’d like.Confronting these limitations is especially threatening to an entitled person because it violates their worldview of self-superiority."
Consider today's movements and mantras that attempt to build self-esteem, self-dependence, self-sufficiency, and feelings of self-worth. Notice. Its all about self. Surely it can be seen that this is not good, right, or healthy for people or society?
Love and healthy relationships are built on sacrifice. Indeed, every remembrance season at services and memorials for fallen soldiers we hear the words of Jesus 'Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.' (John 15.13) And yet we cannot live in this way and cannot truly be selfless in most cases unless we are looking to follow the example of Jesus who not only died for his friends, but also we who at some point in life have been his enemies (Romans 5.7-10). For those who are living for self, and worshipping self the only way to deliverance from this self-destructive mentality and its associated morality (or lack thereof), is to look to Jesus Christ and come to know what it means to follow him.
For those still struggling with latent narcissism, people pleasing, and the obsession with other's approval consider the Apostle Paul's words in Galatians 1.10
‘For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
George Mueller lived a life of unreal profitability, caring for 10,024 orphans and establishing 117 schools among other endeavours in his life. When asked about the secret of his service he said,
“There was a day when I died, utterly died; died to George Mueller, his opinions, preferences, tastes, and will; died to the world, its approval or censure; died to the approval or blame even of my brethren and friends; and since then I have studied to show myself approved only to God.”
You cannot save yourself from the world's shame on one hand or God's just punishment on the other by serving self. It's time for the Narcissus in you to die.
Comments
Post a Comment