Narcissism is a highly developed self-indulgence. All have the potential for developing it since all are already self-indulgent to begin with. Narcissists are bad, often conniving and sneaking bad. They live a lie, thinking that they fully deserve all the attention and conformity to their desires that others give them. They are often attracted to churches because they think that they and their ideas are better than others, their way is the only way, and others should do their bidding. They are in reality manipulative controllers with very large egos working deviously to get their way. Their words and actions are eventually seen by all about them. One common ploy is to put on the pity pot and withdraw in order to make others feel sorry for them. Many other narcissists weep and wail, get petulant and angry, threatening and uncooperative against anybody they think is an opponent in order to get circumstances turned in their favor. It is not constantly like that because sometimes they are disarmingly crafty, but constantly that massive pride in them is working to get control over a situation and in their favor. Malignant narcissism appears in the abuse of God-given gifts or the neglect of a God-given responsibility. It features an all-absorbing willful egotism and self-aggrandizement in which every part of life, every relationship, every business deal, every conversation, every entertainment, and everything is about the self. There is no thought or feeling of pity or compassion for anyone else. Even with family the person is a sociopath. Even if friendly with another the motive is to use them for enjoyment or profit. Everything is done to secure personal desires and to make the self look good. Pride is gigantic and normal family love is sacrificed, completely forgotten, a victim of ambition. The person epitomizes the slogan that greed is good. The person is practical when it comes to increasing the self, handsome to be sure but selfish and scheming. The person's is the only law recognized. Love, tenderness, pity, kindness, mercy, and concern for others are not in the lexicon unless thinking of using them for ulterior motives. There is no reverence for God. Gifts such as intelligence, skill, athleticism, beauty, or artistry become the wedge that leads to greatest shame. History reveals that it is not unusual for one's gifts to become one's greatest temptation. The determination to misuse gifts produces misery caused to others and the self, ending in death.

Bobby's parents exhibited malignant narcissism through thoughtless and self-centered actions. They presented their remaining son with the gun used in his brother's suicide without considering whether the gift was right or would be well-received. They became belligerent and defensive when questioned about this choice. A similar though less apparent narcissism exists in churchianity. Little thought is given to how God views traditions adopted by men to worship Him. Few consider whether the adoration offered to Him is fitting or well-received. The cross serves as the recognized symbol of Christianity today despite its origins as a murder weapon assimilated from pre-Christian paganism. People assume that God accepts such a symbol. Few contemplate whether the Father and the Son are pleased with worship offered on the assumed birthday of Jesus Christ. Professing Christians have celebrated Christmas since the fourth century yet the practice contains no truth beyond the fact that the Son of God was born of a woman. There is no example of the early church celebrating the birth date of Jesus Christ. The Bible instructs Christians to commemorate His death each year at Passover. Despite the pagan origins of Christmas and its trappings being well known there is still belligerence and defensiveness when questions arise about the appropriateness of it all. Its assertive defenders assume that since the celebration is done to honor God He must feel honored. The Son is not well-pleased with these gestures for every falsehood requires His life to be given as payment. Similar to Bobby's present the gift of Christmas includes the unwritten imperative that an innocent Man die because of others' self-centeredness.

In the last days, perilous times arise from men who are lovers of themselves. This self-love produces a greedy, covetous, and arrogant attitude prevalent in society. A major factor in facing these times of stress involves dealing with and resisting the human proclivity toward lovers of self in a totally narcissistic society. The society affects members of God's church. Paul vividly described the condition of society and its influence on the church. In II Timothy 3:2-4, Paul uses nineteen expressions that describe the wicked people responsible for the times of stress. The first says that they are lovers of themselves and the last that they are not lovers of God. Four of the nineteen expressions are compounded with love, suggesting that what is fundamentally wrong with these people is that their love is misdirected. Instead of being lovers of God, they are lovers of self, lovers of money, and lovers of pleasure. The first three expressions elaborate on the meaning of self-love. People who love themselves more than anyone else become proud, arrogant, and abusive. All this unsocial, anti-social behavior is the inevitable consequence of a godless self-centeredness. It is the consequence of a narcissistic lifestyle and mentality. The self-centered man is like the porcupine when it rolls itself up in a ball, presents only sharp spines to those outside its ball, keeping at the same time all the soft and warm fur for itself inside its zone. God's order is that we love Him first, our neighbor next, and our self last. If we reverse the order of the first and third, putting self first and God last, our neighbor in the middle is bound to suffer. Only the inspired written word of God offers a radical solution to this problem because only God promises a new creation and new birth, which involves being totally transformed. It requires a total reorientation in mind and conduct that makes us fundamentally God-centered instead of self-centered.