Judas: Portrait of a Covert
Narcissist: When it comes to understanding pathological
narcissists, whether covert or overt, the Bible is a treasure trove
of information. No other source can surpass the insight we can get
from God's word. Yes, the Bible seems to place a spotlight, a
magnifying glass on narcissists and makes a point of emphasizing
God's great displeasure with narcissism of all types. In fact the
attitudes God calls out most as displeasing to Him just about
describe every trait of a narcissist. Yes, the narc has gone fully
against God in their attitude towards life, they pay God no heed and
simply do as they please. Lying, backbiting, bearing false witness,
doing any foul act that they can get away with and showing no
conscience, guilt, or remorse is all very displeasing to God and He
specifically lists these traits as an abomination to Him. Yes, the
haughty attitude of the narc and their lies are all considered the
worst characteristics a human being could portray according to the
Bible. The narc may give lip service to God, but their actions,
which extend to the incredible immoral and lax standards that some
narcs allow for their children, shows a complete lack of concern or
acknowledgment that God even exists. Not all narcs raise their
children this way but a select few do and they allow their children
license to do things that would give even most secular people pause.
The laws of God are written upon each person's conscience, but the
narcissist either lacks a conscience or has ignored their conscience
over the course of their lifetime and therefore their conscience
became calloused and then seared. So without a conscience even a
church going narc is actually much less moral than an atheist that
follows their conscience when it comes to raising children, or in
other conduct. The atheist at least does the right thing, even if for
the wrong reasons or motivations, and as such is at least living by
honest standards. The atheist is at least true to themselves and a
coherent, sane human being. This is not the case for the narcissist.
The narc is never what they appear to be and has no integrity in the
real sense of that word. The narc is a dis integrated person for
lack of a better word because the narc has a total disconnect between
who they are internally and who they appear to be. Yes an atheist
can be a decent person and even many narcs at least love their
children enough to not allow them to cultivate lying, and other
lascivious activity. But the immorality of modern society has
given a select few narcs some very novel ideas about child rearing
and these narcs take those standards to a new level. This is the
sad state of affairs when a person not only has a total lack of
concern with regard to standards of decency as outlined by the Bible,
and on top of that doesn't even have a conscience to govern them.
Yes, God's opinion doesn't matter, the narc knows better and no, a
conscience is a quaint idea, but the narc is evolved and has freed
themselves of the troubling and burdensome codes of common decency.
The narc creates their own standards because they are above it all
and on top of that it gives them license to do as they please.
The bottom line here is when you combine a lack of
conscience with a lack of concern for God's opinion you actually
create a behavior pattern, an attitude that is what an outside
observer would describe as narcissism. So in a real sense we have
just put our finger on the two most important cures for narcissism if
a narc would ever want to help themselves. One, the narc would have
to do everything in their power to begin awakening and growing their
conscience and two, a narc would have to begin giving God proper
respect and begin at least acknowledging that God exists and
beginning the long journey to try to live according to God's will.
Yes, religious narcissists exist, but these religious narcissists do
their own will and disregard what God wants even though they have
convinced themselves they are doing God's will. The Apostle Paul is
a perfect example of a religious zealot who was actually a narcissist
doing his own will. Jesus confronted Paul and this resulted in
Paul's conversion and cure from narcissism. Paul's will was now in
line with God and that made all of the difference. Yes the cure for
narcissism, as shown by the conversion of the Apostle Paul, is Jesus.
So now we cover the sad case of a covert narcissist. A person who
thought themselves clever and was deluded into thinking they were
getting away with everything. A person who thought of no one but
themselves and thought they had all of the angles covered. A person
who enjoyed putting on an act and deceiving others and this bolstered
their pride even further. Yes, getting away with lies can be
addictive and yes it creates confidence, but it is a false
confidence, the false confidence of all narcissists. Yes, when a
person is dedicated to lying to the extent that a narc is they begin
to believe they have control of everything. Yes, the narc believes
everything is in the palm of their hand. That very notion is absurd,
but the narc is too drunk on themselves to see it. Yes, the narc has
pulled off one ruse after another, but in the end they have missed
the big picture and have deceived themselves. The narc has lost
sight of what is important in life and missed the opportunity that
life presented them. The narc will never have peace and joy. Think
about the ignorance of a person who can't even see why being truthful
and presenting yourself honestly is simply a more efficient and more
practical way of living life than the ridiculous attitude of the
narcissist. The narc sees the low hanging fruit, sees opportunities
and can never understand why people don't take those opportunities.
The answer is that people have a moral compass and a person who
engages in moral behavior, whether they are secular atheists or
religious, intuitively understands why you don't simply do something
because you can get away with it. So the narc's
ignorance is fully visible to anyone who takes notice and the narc,
being aware of this takes great pains to do everything in secret,
covertly. But the narc never covers all of the angles as they think
they are doing and in the end the narc's motives and actions are
fully exposed in the light. Yes, in an effort to blind others, to
pull the wool over other people's eyes, the narc has blinded
themselves. The victims, which stack up during the course of a
narcissist's life, may never see justice and to them the narc simply
goes on with their evil ways and somehow never has to pay. But
sometimes the victim just has to understand that their encounter with
a narcissist has presented them with a challenge. The challenge is
to let go, not seek vengeance and leave it all with God. The problem
the narc gives the victim is a huge burden that requires huge amounts
of effort to overcome, but in the end a victim can find their way
back to peace and back to joy. So the story of Judas is especially
important for a victim to hear since the sad end of a covert
narcissist is plainly laid out in front of us and that end is very
tragic. We must leave that narcissist in God's hands and if we can
fully comprehend the danger that narc is in we should try and pray
for those poor creatures. Yes the narc will pay and pay with
interest. Yes, Judas spent three years pretending to be a
follower of Christ. He put on the perfect show and no one suspected
him. Yes the other eleven Apostles when told one person among them
would betray Jesus, Judas was never even suspected. An outsider
would have never seen Judas as the betrayer. No, Judas didn't have
beady eyes or seem like a dishonest person with something to hide.
Judas may well have looked like the kindest and most sincere and most
caring as well as the most devoted of the 12 disciples. So we move
on to John 13 21 to 29: Yes, Jesus said one of them would betray
Him and He even made note that the one He gives the bread to is that
person, but the disciples witnessing this still couldn't see Judas as
the betrayer. Then Jesus told Judas “do what you must do quickly”.
So Judas understood that Jesus knew everything but nothing would
stop Judas with his encounter with destiny. Yes, by then Satan had
entered Judas, that and his self-deluded sense of himself meant that
there was almost nothing that could stop him from proceeding with the
betrayal. So now we will focus more closely on the sad case of Judas.
Jesus was never deceived about Judas, we see this in John 6 64: “But
there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the
beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray
him”. Then Jesus became more specific and made mention of one of
the apostles being a devil as stated in John 6 70: “ Jesus answered
them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?”.
Judas was present for all of it and yet somehow he was convinced that
he could get away with his deception. Yes, Jesus was aware from the
start, and yet He purposely put Judas in charge of the money. Yes,
clever Judas had his hand in the till stealing from the funds and
really believed he was getting away with it. Judas was so wrapped up
in himself and his overconfidence in his abilities to deceive that he
was totally blind to the fact that he was following God in human
flesh. Judas never put together the pieces that Jesus saw it all
and it wouldn't have taken that much effort or logic to realize it,
being that Judas witnessed all of Jesus' abilities first hand. But
Judas couldn't see the obvious because he was too focused on
deceiving. Yes, Judas put on the perfect act deceiving every one
of his fellow apostles. So when the final hour was approaching Jesus
mentioned that one of the apostles would betray Him as stated in
Matthew 26 21: “And while they were eating, he said, "Truly I
tell you, one of you will betray me."
Then one after another of the apostles asked is it me? Now lets listen to Matthew 26 25: “Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, "Surely you don't mean me, Rabbi?" Jesus answered, "You have said so." So Judas and the disciples were told point blank it would be Judas, but even then the apostles couldn't believe Judas was the betrayer, that is how good a show Judas made of his piety. More importantly though, even Judas when told to his face Jesus knew he was the betrayer still believed he would get away with everything and prevail. That is how self deluded and irrational the narcissist gets. They can't see reality and truth right in front of their face. They have spent so much time, put in so much effort and devotion to deception that the narc becomes self deluded never realizing that they are deceiving themselves. But the story of Judas is much worse than that and to get more detail we need to go back to the gospel of John when Jesus was asked who would betray him. John 13 25 to 26: “Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?" Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.” Amazingly enough even after this the apostles couldn't believe it was Judas that would be the betrayer. Yes a narcissist can definitely put on a show and make people believe they are good trustworthy people, but God in this case in the form of the Son, Jesus, is never deceived. So then we get to the biggest part of the tragedy of Judas the point of no return as described in John 13 27: “As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, "What you are about to do, do quickly." Yes Satan entered into Judas and he marched to his doom. Yes even before departing Judas heard Jesus say clearly in Matthew 26 24: “The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born." Yes Judas heard that warning but it made no difference. All of those years of deception had finally caught up with him and no amount of warning would make any difference and in the end Judas simply became Satan's instrument, a puppet that had lost all control of his own destiny. Yes, years of putting emphasis on the material while putting on the pretense of spirituality had now put Judas on a collision course with destiny. So Judas got his 30 pieces of silver and gave Jesus that kiss. But there is one more critical piece of information that has to be discussed. Judas had led over 600 people to apprehend Jesus. Lets go to Matthew 26 48 to 50: “Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him." And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. So what is the key here? Even after kissing Jesus and betraying Him, Judas was still called a friend by Jesus and given one last chance. But Judas was too filled with himself to even see what was being offered him and more importantly Judas didn't even care for the last chance Jesus had offered him.
We then go to Matthew 27 3 to 5: “When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. "I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood." "What is that to us?" they replied. "That's your responsibility." So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. Yes Judas finally felt remorse but to understand this we need to contrast Judas with Peter who promised to never deny Jesus or fall away and then denied Him three times. Peter repented of his failure and was forgiven. Judas was simply unhappy that he didn't get what he wanted for his efforts. Yes, Judas realized that he sinned and realized that his gain wasn't worth the cost. So it is quite interesting to note that Peter, the overconfident, frail sinful and weak human, failed, and having realized he failed, sought forgiveness and was forgiven for not being perfect. Judas succeeded in his plans, got everything his way and in getting it his way despite one chance after another to turn around kept going and in so doing sealed his fate. My thanks to the clear exposition and contrast of Peter and Judas provided by Greg Laurie. Yes the "chickens do eventually come home to roost" and the narcissist will never be able to escape the reality of their terrible deeds. Just like Judas, who was very disappointed and disillusioned after selling out Jesus, that narc got what they wanted and received their "30 pieces of silver", but it was a hollow victory. It came at someone else's great expense and worst of all the narc will wish they never got that silver. But it is too late. They wanted it, now they have it and they can't give the silver back. Here is the difference. The narc is still alive and they still have ears to hear and a mind that thinks. It has been laid out for them, they have been warned. So here is the question: will the narc perceive what happened to Judas and comprehend that they are just as deluded as he was? Will the narc understand the grave danger they are in and understand that they are deluding, deceiving themselves? Will the narc realize that eventually they run the risk of being mere puppets for Satan? Sadly, most narcs will think this is all a joke, a waste of time. The narc doesn't want the truth and loves their lies, but the price they pay for denying reality will be a high one. Perhaps they might also be in a situation where it would have been better if they were never born. They can call on Jesus and they can be saved and all can be forgiven. But how many times can someone get a second chance? Pray for the narcissists, maybe it will help but maybe it will be a waste of your time. We wish no one the terrible ending of Judas then, or the suffering he will be doing for eternity. Thank you for watching. Comments are welcomed. Peace be with you. End Quote: The Narc always does what is “convenient” (best for themselves) regardless of the cost to another human being. Sadly, many narcs even put themselves before their own children. But the narc then finds themselves in one “inconvenient” situation after another. Each of those situations are a direct result of those quick fixes, but the narc never makes the connection. No the narc never accepts responsibility. The victim should rest assured, the narc will pay for all that they have done. With interest.
Then one after another of the apostles asked is it me? Now lets listen to Matthew 26 25: “Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, "Surely you don't mean me, Rabbi?" Jesus answered, "You have said so." So Judas and the disciples were told point blank it would be Judas, but even then the apostles couldn't believe Judas was the betrayer, that is how good a show Judas made of his piety. More importantly though, even Judas when told to his face Jesus knew he was the betrayer still believed he would get away with everything and prevail. That is how self deluded and irrational the narcissist gets. They can't see reality and truth right in front of their face. They have spent so much time, put in so much effort and devotion to deception that the narc becomes self deluded never realizing that they are deceiving themselves. But the story of Judas is much worse than that and to get more detail we need to go back to the gospel of John when Jesus was asked who would betray him. John 13 25 to 26: “Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?" Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.” Amazingly enough even after this the apostles couldn't believe it was Judas that would be the betrayer. Yes a narcissist can definitely put on a show and make people believe they are good trustworthy people, but God in this case in the form of the Son, Jesus, is never deceived. So then we get to the biggest part of the tragedy of Judas the point of no return as described in John 13 27: “As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, "What you are about to do, do quickly." Yes Satan entered into Judas and he marched to his doom. Yes even before departing Judas heard Jesus say clearly in Matthew 26 24: “The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born." Yes Judas heard that warning but it made no difference. All of those years of deception had finally caught up with him and no amount of warning would make any difference and in the end Judas simply became Satan's instrument, a puppet that had lost all control of his own destiny. Yes, years of putting emphasis on the material while putting on the pretense of spirituality had now put Judas on a collision course with destiny. So Judas got his 30 pieces of silver and gave Jesus that kiss. But there is one more critical piece of information that has to be discussed. Judas had led over 600 people to apprehend Jesus. Lets go to Matthew 26 48 to 50: “Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him." And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. So what is the key here? Even after kissing Jesus and betraying Him, Judas was still called a friend by Jesus and given one last chance. But Judas was too filled with himself to even see what was being offered him and more importantly Judas didn't even care for the last chance Jesus had offered him.
We then go to Matthew 27 3 to 5: “When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. "I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood." "What is that to us?" they replied. "That's your responsibility." So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. Yes Judas finally felt remorse but to understand this we need to contrast Judas with Peter who promised to never deny Jesus or fall away and then denied Him three times. Peter repented of his failure and was forgiven. Judas was simply unhappy that he didn't get what he wanted for his efforts. Yes, Judas realized that he sinned and realized that his gain wasn't worth the cost. So it is quite interesting to note that Peter, the overconfident, frail sinful and weak human, failed, and having realized he failed, sought forgiveness and was forgiven for not being perfect. Judas succeeded in his plans, got everything his way and in getting it his way despite one chance after another to turn around kept going and in so doing sealed his fate. My thanks to the clear exposition and contrast of Peter and Judas provided by Greg Laurie. Yes the "chickens do eventually come home to roost" and the narcissist will never be able to escape the reality of their terrible deeds. Just like Judas, who was very disappointed and disillusioned after selling out Jesus, that narc got what they wanted and received their "30 pieces of silver", but it was a hollow victory. It came at someone else's great expense and worst of all the narc will wish they never got that silver. But it is too late. They wanted it, now they have it and they can't give the silver back. Here is the difference. The narc is still alive and they still have ears to hear and a mind that thinks. It has been laid out for them, they have been warned. So here is the question: will the narc perceive what happened to Judas and comprehend that they are just as deluded as he was? Will the narc understand the grave danger they are in and understand that they are deluding, deceiving themselves? Will the narc realize that eventually they run the risk of being mere puppets for Satan? Sadly, most narcs will think this is all a joke, a waste of time. The narc doesn't want the truth and loves their lies, but the price they pay for denying reality will be a high one. Perhaps they might also be in a situation where it would have been better if they were never born. They can call on Jesus and they can be saved and all can be forgiven. But how many times can someone get a second chance? Pray for the narcissists, maybe it will help but maybe it will be a waste of your time. We wish no one the terrible ending of Judas then, or the suffering he will be doing for eternity. Thank you for watching. Comments are welcomed. Peace be with you. End Quote: The Narc always does what is “convenient” (best for themselves) regardless of the cost to another human being. Sadly, many narcs even put themselves before their own children. But the narc then finds themselves in one “inconvenient” situation after another. Each of those situations are a direct result of those quick fixes, but the narc never makes the connection. No the narc never accepts responsibility. The victim should rest assured, the narc will pay for all that they have done. With interest.
