Our culture today is consumed with self. Narcissism is defined as the pursuit of gratification from vanity or egotistic admiration of one’s own attributes. As a church, it is important that we realize the warning signs of being consumed with self. No matter where we may find ourselves on the spectrum between self-pity and boasting, we have taken our focus off of God and have put ourselves in direct opposition to Him. We are only free from the tyranny of self when we immerse ourselves in the presence of God. When we recognize His greatness and what He did for us, it diminishes our foolish sense of importance and changes our perspective to one of humility.

Signs That You Are Prideful

1. You love the mirror {whether you like what you see or not}
2. You can’t forgive {frequently pre-occupied with people who have slighted you}
3. Envious of the joys of other people’s lives and their children’s successes
4. You are a score keeper {always evaluating who is the prettiest, wealthiest, etc.}
5. Frequently dissatisfied
6. You don’t enjoy something in itself, but use it as an opportunity to make you seem significant in your own eyes or in the eyes of others
7. Like being thought of in a particular way
8. Struggle to be grateful
9. You are fragile, incapable of receiving criticism without being undone by it
10. Fearful of others finding you dumb or boring so you withdraw from conversation and are shy