Narcissism, characterized by excessive self-focus and a lack of empathy, is a challenging behavior that can deeply affect relationships and communities. The Bible provides profound wisdom on recognizing and addressing such behavior, emphasizing humility, selflessness, and love. Whether you’re dealing with narcissism in yourself or others, these verses offer valuable guidance and encouragement. In this article, we’ll explore 33 illuminating Bible verses about narcissism, helping you to navigate these difficult situations with faith and grace.
Recognizing Narcissism in the Bible
Old Testament Examples About Narcissism
King Saul
- 1 Samuel 15:17: “Samuel said, ‘Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The Lord anointed you king over Israel.'” King Saul’s downfall stemmed from his pride and disobedience, exemplifying narcissistic tendencies.
Nebuchadnezzar
- Daniel 4:30: “The king said, ‘Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?'” Nebuchadnezzar’s arrogance and self-exaltation led to his downfall, demonstrating the destructive nature of narcissism.
Haman
- Esther 3:5: “When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor, he was enraged.” Haman’s obsession with power and recognition drove him to seek revenge against Mordecai and the Jewish people, illustrating the toxic consequences of narcissism.
New Testament Examples About Narcissism
Pharisees
- Matthew 23:5-7: “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.” Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for their hypocritical and self-serving behavior, exposing their narcissistic attitudes.
Diotrephes
- 3 John 1:9-10: “I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.” Diotrephes’s desire for power and control led him to act selfishly and harm the church community, highlighting the dangers of narcissism.
Key Bible Verses About Narcissism
Old Testament Verses About Narcissism
Proverbs
- Proverbs 16:18: “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” This verse warns against the destructive consequences of pride and self-exaltation.
Psalms
- Psalm 10:2-3: “In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises. He boasts about the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the Lord.” Narcissistic individuals may exploit and manipulate others for their own gain, disregarding the well-being of the vulnerable.
Ecclesiastes
- Ecclesiastes 7:8: “The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.” This verse emphasizes the importance of humility and patience over prideful self-promotion.
New Testament Verses About Narcissism
Gospels
- Luke 18:9-14: The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector teaches about the danger of self-righteousness and the value of humility before God.
Epistles
- Philippians 2:3-4: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” This verse encourages selflessness and humility in our interactions with others.
Table of Top Verses About Narcissism
| Verse | Summary |
|---|---|
| 2 Timothy 3:2-5 | People will be lovers of themselves |
| Proverbs 16:18 | Pride goes before destruction |
| Philippians 2:3 | Do nothing out of selfish ambition |
| Galatians 6:3 | If anyone thinks they are something when they are not |
| Romans 12:3 | Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought |
List of 33 Bible Verses About Narcissism
2 Timothy 3:2-5 – People Will Be Lovers of Themselves
“People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.”
Proverbs 16:18 – Pride Goes Before Destruction
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Philippians 2:3 – Do Nothing Out of Selfish Ambition
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”
Galatians 6:3 – Thinking You Are Something When You Are Not
“If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.”
Romans 12:3 – Do Not Think of Yourself More Highly Than You Ought
“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.”
Proverbs 27:2 – Let Another Praise You, and Not Your Own Mouth
“Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.”
James 4:6 – God Opposes the Proud
“But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’”
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 – Love is Not Proud
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”
Matthew 23:12 – Whoever Exalts Themselves Will Be Humbled
“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Proverbs 11:2 – When Pride Comes, Then Comes Disgrace
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
Colossians 3:12 – Clothe Yourselves with Humility
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Isaiah 2:17 – The Arrogance of Man Will Be Brought Low
“The arrogance of man will be brought low and human pride humbled; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.”
Jeremiah 9:23-24 – Let Not the Wise Boast of Their Wisdom
“This is what the Lord says: ‘Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,’ declares the Lord.”
1 Peter 5:5 – Clothe Yourselves with Humility Toward One Another
“In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’”
Proverbs 21:4 – Haughty Eyes and a Proud Heart
“Haughty eyes and a proud heart—the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.”
James 3:16 – Where There is Envy and Selfish Ambition
“For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”
Psalm 10:4 – In His Pride the Wicked Man Does Not Seek Him
“In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.”
Romans 1:21 – Although They Knew God, They Did Not Honor Him
“For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.”
Obadiah 1:3 – The Pride of Your Heart Has Deceived You
“The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’”
Proverbs 18:12 – Before a Downfall the Heart is Haughty
“Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.”
Luke 14:11 – All Those Who Exalt Themselves Will Be Humbled
“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Isaiah 23:9 – The Lord Planned It to Bring Down Pride
“The Lord Almighty planned it, to bring down her pride in all her splendor and to humble all who are renowned on the earth.”
Zephaniah 2:10 – This is What They Will Get in Return for Their Pride
“This is what they will get in return for their pride, for insulting and mocking the people of the Lord Almighty.”
Matthew 6:1 – Be Careful Not to Practice Your Righteousness
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”
Proverbs 26:12 – Do You See a Person Wise in Their Own Eyes?
“Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.”
Isaiah 5:21 – Woe to Those Who Are Wise in Their Own Eyes
“Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.”
Romans 11:20 – Do Not Be Arrogant, But Tremble
“Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble.”
Proverbs 25:27 – It is Not Good to Eat Too Much Honey
“It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.”
1 Samuel 15:23 – Arrogance is Like the Evil of Idolatry
“For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.”
Daniel 5:20 – His Heart Became Arrogant and Hardened with Pride
“But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory.”
Ezekiel 28:17 – Your Heart Became Proud on Account of Your Beauty
“Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings.”
Hosea 13:6 – When I Fed Them, They Became Satisfied
“When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me.”
Conclusion:
The Bible offers clear and insightful guidance on recognizing and dealing with narcissism. These verses emphasize humility, love, and the importance of placing others above oneself. By reflecting on these scriptures, you can better understand how to address narcissistic behavior in yourself and others, fostering healthier and more compassionate relationships.