Cartoonology Devotional 08-10-09

Cartoonology Devotional 08-10-09

Cartoonology.  There is great theology in cartoons and comics.

Narcissism is the character trait of self-love based on self-image or ego.  Sigmund Freud applied the phrase in psychology.  The term is derived from the Greek mythology of Narcissus. He was a handsome Greek youth who was doomed to fall in love with his own reflection in a pool of water.  Unable to consummate his love, Narcissus became dejected and changed into a flower that bears his name.

Self-love is not necessarily negative, unless it leads to a spirit of haughtiness that treats others with disrespect and disdain.  Extreme narcissism devalues others and elevates self.

Will Rogers once said, " I always like to hear a man talk about himself, because then I never hear anything but good."  Self-exaltation is contray to biblical teachings, however.  The Bible contains examples of people who were narcissistic.  

One such man was a Pharisee that Jesus described.  The Pharisee was in the temple at the same time as a tax collector.  Looking down his nose at the tax collector, the Pharisee began to extol all his goodnes and righteousness before God.  The story describes him as actually praying to himself.  The tax collector, with a much more humble posture, simply pleaded with God to have mercy on him as a sinner.   Only the tax collector received affirmation from God.

Luke 18:14 (NKJV)
¹⁴ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."  08-10-09

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