When Narcissism Rises: A Biblical Look at a Culture Drifting Toward the Self by Tina Malaty
We are living in a time when narcissism isn’t just present — it’s applauded, platformed, and normalized. And the most sobering part? The Bible said this would happen at the end of the age.
Abuse, manipulation, deception, and the worship of self have increased not because humanity suddenly changed, but because the world around us is conditioning people to become their own god.
Yet even in an age of spiritual fog, God leaves a remnant who can see clearly — and He equips them with truth strong enough to cut through any deception.
Let’s break down what’s happening, what Scripture says about it, and how God protects His children through it.
1. A Culture Built to Breed Narcissism
We live in a world that rewards image instead of character.
Social media has created a generation of performers — people trained to curate perfection, exaggerate their worth, hide their flaws, and build an identity around the external. This becomes the perfect breeding ground for narcissism because narcissists thrive on:
- admiration
- attention
- inflated identity
- emotional detachment
- superficial connection
The Bible predicted this mindset:
“People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money… boastful, proud, abusive… without self-control, brutal, not lovers of good.”— 2 Timothy 3:1–5
This passage is not metaphor; it is a description of the emotional climate of the last days.
We are living in that climate now.
2. Media Romanticizes What the Bible Calls Evil
Movies, music, and television repeatedly glamorize:
- obsession
- toxic passion
- chaos as romance
- manipulation as intensity
- domination as leadership
Instead of warning people about abusive behavior, media packages it as desirable or “deep.” This rewires the mind to ignore red flags and normalize emotional harm.
God warned that in the end times:
“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil.”— Isaiah 5:20
We’ve entered that reversal.
3. Hyper-Individualism Has Become a False Religion
Culture promotes:
- “Follow your heart.”
- “Do whatever feels right.”
- “You are your own truth.”
- “Cut off anyone who challenges you.”
This sounds empowering but is spiritually destructive.
Scripture teaches the opposite:
“The heart is deceitful above all things.”— Jeremiah 17:9
When people follow their heart instead of God’s truth, they drift toward self-worship — which naturally produces narcissistic traits.
4. Deception Has Become the Norm — Just Like Jesus Warned
Jesus didn’t say the last days would be filled with immorality alone — He said the greatest marker would be deception.
“Take heed that no one deceives you.”— Matthew 24:4
Narcissists thrive in deception. Gaslighting, twisting narratives, inverting victimhood — these aren’t just human behaviors; they are spiritual strategies used by the enemy to destroy clarity, identity, and truth.
The rise in narcissism is the rise in deception that Jesus prophesied.
5. Trauma, Fatherlessness, and Emotional Isolation Have Formed the Perfect Storm
This generation has more:
- fatherless homes
- childhood neglect
- emotional deprivation
- digital addiction
- comparison
- loneliness
Unhealed hearts produce unhealthy relationships. But culture doesn’t teach healing — it teaches hardness.
Jesus warned that because of the increase of wickedness, love would grow cold:
“Because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.”— Matthew 24:12
A cold heart is the soil where narcissism blooms.
6. True Accountability Is Called “Judgmental,” and Real Abuse Is Hidden
In a world with no absolute truth, anyone can rewrite reality.
Narcissists weaponize therapy language to portray themselves as victims while calling their victims “toxic.” They hide behind self-help terms and spiritual clichés to avoid accountability.
This is why Scripture says:
“In the last days… men will not endure sound doctrine but will gather teachers who tell them what their itching ears want to hear.”— 2 Timothy 4:3
People want comfort, not correction. And narcissists thrive where correction is rejected.
7. But Here’s the Hope: God Protects His Children in a Narcissistic Generation
Where deception grows, discernment grows stronger in God’s people.
Where manipulation increases, God increases clarity.
Where narcissists attempt to destroy character, God becomes the defender.
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still.”— Exodus 14:14
“He is near to the brokenhearted and saves those crushed in spirit.”— Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed.”— Psalm 9:9
God does not abandon His children in an age of deception —He equips them.
8. Truth That Counteracts the Cultural Lie
Lie: “Follow your heart.”
Truth:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart… lean not on your own understanding.”— Proverbs 3:5–6
Lie: “Protect your image.”
Truth:
“Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”— 1 Samuel 16:7
Lie: “Your truth is the truth.”
Truth:
“Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.”— John 17:17
Lie: “Everyone is the hero of their own story.”
Truth:
“Without Me you can do nothing.”— John 15:5
Lie: “Cut off anyone who challenges you.”
Truth:
“Faithful are the wounds of a friend.”— Proverbs 27:6
Lie: “You need validation from others.”
Truth:
“If God is for us, who can be against us?”— Romans 8:31
The Final Reality
Narcissism has risen. Abuse has become normalized. And culture is drifting toward self-worship.
But Scripture said this would happen —not to frighten you, but to prepare you.
And no matter how dark the world becomes:
God protects His own. God vindicates His own. And God restores what culture tried to destroy.
“Instead of your shame, you will receive double honor.”— Isaiah 61:7
You are not unprotected in this generation. You are carried by the One who foresaw it all.
