A few years ago, I can recall a conversation with a close therapist friend of mine in regards to “selfies”. I told her that I felt the rise in taking selfies was strange but specifically the excessive amount of selfies we are seeing people take so often. At the time we disagreed but now have come to a consensus. No I don’t think taking selfies is bad in general but it’s the amount of and time spent on the task that implied something deeper, maybe even more sinister to me. I remember thinking that it was indicative of a very changing world for women but more notably for men. It was something about seeing so many men on my timeline posting the same car or mirror pictures with different filters and captions over and over that did more than irritate me but alarmed me would be a more accurate description, but I did not know then what has been revealed to me now.

There has been a trending topic between therapists, psychiatrists and studied men and women in regards to narcissism and it is described as an unnatural love of self and an influx of manipulative and dangerous personality traits that deem the person mentally ill, incurable and impossible to love. I have even heard the scientific world state that these individuals are soulless.

The term narcissist derives from a Greek mythology figure named Narcissus. Interestingly, this character was described as so handsome that he fell in love with his own reflection in a spring of water. As the story goes, upon seeing his image in the water, he bent down to kiss himself but his reflection seemed to have disappeared. From that point he began to “chase his image and did not want to leave the pool of water where he saw himself appear. He was so infatuated with his appearance that he did not want to disturb the water and even drink from the spring despite of his thirst. Ultimately as a result of his refusal to drink to prevent disturbing the image, he died from thirst. I want to laugh, because the story is comical but applicable to the men of today. Metaphorically men are drying of thirst every day and this by far is no laughing matter.

The DSM-5, or Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders classifies this “mental condition” of narcissism as an inflated sense of self importance, a deep need for excessive attention and admiration, a lack of empathy for others, a sense of entitlement and a desire to be recognized as superior even without achievements that warrant it. This person may exaggerate talents and accolades; they may be preoccupied with fantasies of success, power, brilliance, beauty or the perfect mate. They may pick apart their families flaws or mates and have unreasonable expectations for others and lack accountability. They are self- absorbed and despise any who bring their mistakes to the forefront and deflect as a communication style. They behave in a “haughty manner, coming across as conceited, boastful and pretentious, insisting on having the best of everything, for instance the best car or office” (Mayo Clinic 2020.)

According to many studies, this disorder affects more men than women, and the claim is that it can develop from an overprotective or neglectful parenting style. This person then has complications in life such as relationship difficulties, drug, sex and or alcohol addiction, and suicidal thoughts.

Now many may ask what does this have to do with anything in reference to an individual’s spiritual journey and it is key because the rise of narcissism is connotative to the signs of the times. The Narcissist has been overcome by a Jezebel spirit that God says has been coming after those in his church, the body of Christ. Left and right original followers of the Messiah have been oppressed by this entity and God has sent his messengers to these people to get them to repent of their sins and grant them deliverance. I call these men the “Second Timothy’s,” who stand in the way of “Ephesian Fives” but that’s another topic. However, they refuse to repent and God has warned us that when you encounter those operating under this spirit you will recognize them by their fruit and to turn away from them. 2 Timothy 2:3-9 states that, “this know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.² For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,³ Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,⁴ Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;⁵ Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.⁶ For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,⁷ Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.⁸ Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

One thing about me, my intention is to make a connection that the powers that be want to keep obscure. “The Second Timothy” is a biblical and spiritual identity of a narcissist, but God considers this soul a reprobate, someone who is at risk for damnation. A reprobate is person who has been practically written off by God and because he loves his children he has most likely given warning after warning and the Holy Spirit has been utterly drowned out by the choices and sins of the reprobate. The label the “Jezebel spirit” is coined from Jezebel, King Ahab’s wife who influenced her husband to cause others to worship another God named Baal. Due to the havoc that this genderless spirit committed through Jezebel, it is associated with a woman but affects both men and women. This spirit plays off of the lack of self- control, rejection, insecurity and sexual immorality of anyone in its path. Devastatingly enough, it is playing a horrible game of tag, jumping from person to person to infiltrate the salvation of the saints of God. This is one of many reasons why waiting on sex for marriage, though it may seem old fashioned for the times is critical. When you lay down with someone you attach yourself to whatever is attached to him or her unbeknown to you or not when you have sex or become yoked to anyone without The Most High Yah’s guidance.

Common characteristics of this spiritual parasite are deception, manipulation, control, insubordination, feigned repentance, sexual immorality, pride and seduction through appearance to name a few. The Most High is coming after those possessed by this spirit heavily and those associated with the possessed as well because it is the lifestyle and secret sins that allow the entity the right to dwell in a host/person. Consider it this way; a thief will not break into an empty house. There is something in you that this demonic spirit wants to steal and it is most likely your anointing, and replace it with perversion and counterfeit gifts and use you for the kingdom of darkness. As the scripture reads, ^20” Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. ²² Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

I wrote a little longer on the topic because the topic is so common and heavy. Men and women of God are called to be ambassadors of Christ and how can they if they are so laden with sins and open doors to more entities. Just as Narcissus fell in love with his image and died of thirst men of today are the dry bones who are repelled against the men and women of God sent to water them with the truth of the Holy Spirit. They are the “image chasers”, thirsty for attention, thirsty for the likes, thirsty for the fake validation and their spirit man is in a perpetual spiritual desert and these men and or women will spiritually die from their perverted and wordly thirst. After truly being delivered you will recognize that your validation comes from the calling that God has on your life and the walk with him is humbling, validating and everlasting one. Unlike the likes of today’s photo upload.

The conclusion I have come to is if I believe in the Most High and his word, then I have to take in account all of His truths and that of the warnings and the so called “scary stuff”. It is not to scare but to educate you and encourage you to choose your side, repent and take authority to cast out the devil using you and others to do his bidding. Do a little research and make the connections not to go to far in the rabbit hole but for understanding. The enemy always shows his hand and allows himself to be called a disorder so there is a scientific excuse for him to remain. If you recognize this spirit in others or if you feel convicted personally, you are alive so repent while there is time. We never come across anything by chance so consider this as the sign if you need one to turn away and ask God to deliver you. It is not our business of who in the end makes it right with God but we still have to reach all we can and can accomplish much when God sends us. With prayer and fasting I have had to be delivered from this spirit as well as many I know personally and prayerfully many more.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/narcissistic-personality-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20366662