PG4Him
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Post by PG4Him on May 16, 2018 9:14:24 GMT -5
There's a well-known phenomenon in human psychology called the Personal Fable. This is when a person, usually a teenager, starts to believe that s/he is so special and unique that s/he is superhumanly special. Of course we're all special in God's eyes, but Personal Fable is a delusion of being the "most special."
Most of us recognize this when we encounter "special snowflakes" who fancy themselves above reproach. But we must understand how to recognize all of its forms.
In a negative way, this delusion makes people think their pain is more hurtful than what the average person feels. Their loneliness, their isolation, is beyond what others understand. No one is qualified to minister to them because no one can feel what they feel. They know things about God which the rest of us cannot comprehend. They see things in spirit which no one else can see. They are beyond all human authority because they see through all other humans.
Christians bound up in Personal Fable will often describe themselves as "the elect" who cannot be deceived. They often assume the role of a prophet, unaccountable to pastors or deacons because the Holy Spirit has commissioned them to correct the church. They are proud of being alone, proud of being unreasonably poor, proud of being called an apostate, and proud of being misunderstood, because this persecution is "proof" of their special calling.
Conversely, sometimes Personal Fable will manifest in people thinking Jesus can't save them. They are the exception, that one special case, of a human beyond the power of the cross. God has singled them out for misery. People in this delusion will manipulate you into offering them salvation and forgiveness over and over, so that in the end they might respond with a condescending sigh that better men than you have tried. This is emotional abuse. These cases will likewise be proud of being unmarried financial failures, since this is "proof" of their spiritual plight.
Scripture speaks against this delusion in many places...
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. (Philippians 2:3)
And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear (1 Peter 1:17)
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality." (Acts 10:34)
For there is no partiality with God. (Romans 2:11)
If you know someone who is caught in this bondage, you must learn how to effectively pray and speak against it. We must minister to the root of the problem, not its symptoms, if we wish to set people free.
**** Disclaimer**** This is NOT any sort of passive-aggressive attack on our members. I am not preaching to any of our members. Please do not take this as a guilt bomb directed at anyone. This is to equip our members in the work of ministering to such people.
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Post by John on May 16, 2018 13:43:41 GMT -5
I had never heard the term, "personal fable" before. That was very informative.
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PG4Him
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Post by PG4Him on May 16, 2018 13:59:08 GMT -5
I don't put much stock in high-brow psychobabble, but there are some fundamental parts of psychology we know to be true, and the enemy isn't above using them for his purposes. The Screwtape Letters was pure psychology.
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Post by John on May 16, 2018 14:04:20 GMT -5
I don't put much stock in high-brow psychobabble, but there are some fundamental parts of psychology we know to be true, and the enemy isn't above using them for his purposes. The Screwtape Letters was pure psychology. It has been a while since I read that book. I saw it as very imaginative, but not as psychology. I have that book at home. Maybe I should re-read it more closely.
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PG4Him
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Post by PG4Him on May 16, 2018 14:08:23 GMT -5
I don't put much stock in high-brow psychobabble, but there are some fundamental parts of psychology we know to be true, and the enemy isn't above using them for his purposes. The Screwtape Letters was pure psychology. It has been a while since I read that book. I saw it as very imaginative, but not as psychology. I have that book at home. Maybe I should re-read it more closely. Readers get thrown off by the novelty of the whole thing. One evil spirit writing letters to another just seems silly. But when you study Screwtape's methods, you'll find him a masterful manipulator of the human mind.
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Post by tlsitd on May 16, 2018 14:37:19 GMT -5
There's a well-known phenomenon in human psychology called the Personal Fable. This is when a person, usually a teenager, starts to believe that s/he is so special and unique that s/he is superhumanly special. Of course we're all special in God's eyes, but Personal Fable is a delusion of being the "most special." Most of us recognize this when we encounter "special snowflakes" who fancy themselves above reproach. But we must understand how to recognize all of its forms. In a negative way, this delusion makes people think their pain is more hurtful than what the average person feels. Their loneliness, their isolation, is beyond what others understand. No one is qualified to minister to them because no one can feel what they feel. They know things about God which the rest of us cannot comprehend. They see things in spirit which no one else can see. They are beyond all human authority because they see through all other humans. Christians bound up in Personal Fable will often describe themselves as "the elect" who cannot be deceived. They often assume the role of a prophet, unaccountable to pastors or deacons because the Holy Spirit has commissioned them to correct the church. They are proud of being alone, proud of being unreasonably poor, proud of being called an apostate, and proud of being misunderstood, because this persecution is "proof" of their special calling. Conversely, sometimes Personal Fable will manifest in people thinking Jesus can't save them. They are the exception, that one special case, of a human beyond the power of the cross. God has singled them out for misery. People in this delusion will manipulate you into offering them salvation and forgiveness over and over, so that in the end they might respond with a condescending sigh that better men than you have tried. This is emotional abuse. These cases will likewise be proud of being unmarried financial failures, since this is "proof" of their spiritual plight. Scripture speaks against this delusion in many places... Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. (Philippians 2:3)
And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear (1 Peter 1:17)
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality." (Acts 10:34)
For there is no partiality with God. (Romans 2:11)
If you know someone who is caught in this bondage, you must learn how to effectively pray and speak against it. We must minister to the root of the problem, not its symptoms, if we wish to set people free. **** Disclaimer**** This is NOT any sort of passive-aggressive attack on our members. I am not preaching to any of our members. Please do not take this as a guilt bomb directed at anyone. This is to equip our members in the work of ministering to such people. I can't say I've encountered either of these cases as described, though I don't doubt they exist. People can be proud about just about anything---spiritual gifts (whether real or imagined), knowledge (whether correct or incorrect), even how "humble", "plain", "pious" or poor they are! That seems to be the root of what you're describing here---just simple pride---as well as the desire for attention. I'm convinced that pride is something God Himself has to deal with directly in order for it to truly be remedied (not that anyone can be forever free of and nevermore concerned about it in this imperfect state, due to having the sinful nature; we have to consciously resist it and put it to death, like other temptations and sins, or it can creep into our hearts---even while we're outwardly doing what is right.) Trying to fix a pride problem from the outside in never works; it only persists, or generates more of the same. God has to do it from the inside out. I think the best any Christian can do for a person with a known or suspected pride problem is to ask God to help them with it. If the person is truly His, we can be sure that He will deal with them in the matter---and hopefully they will respond to His correction.
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PG4Him
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Post by PG4Him on May 16, 2018 15:00:04 GMT -5
That seems to be the root of what you're describing here---just simple pride---as well as the desire for attention. Personal Fable is basically pride that has turned into an absolute delusion. It is a very heavy mental stronghold. While there isn’t much we can do to make people snap out of it, we can guard ourselves from getting pulled into fruitless arguments.
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Post by 2fw8212a on May 16, 2018 16:38:30 GMT -5
Personal Fable is basically pride that has turned into an absolute delusion. People can be proud about just about anything As far as I have experienced, pride goes the opposite way of love. It seeks self, exalt self, and only cares about self.
There are many different levels of pride, and it is always connected to something, as you said, a thing or quality the person has and boast about it (either in mind, outwardly, or both).
And I believe the person who has the Holy Spirit dwelling in them is easily alerted when pride is at the door.
A proud person may have difficult in showing kindness and love to others, especially to those who are contrary to them (which are seen as enemies) or represent threat (self wants the throne).
As I said: Pride and love cannot coexist."And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!" - Mark 13:37And the person with pride is very resistant to others opinion, and they usually answer harshly or arrogantly when anyone brings something contrary to what they believe is right.
And sincerity, which is truth according to one's conscience, is usually avoided in pride... When the person omits sincerity to defend what they want.
Again, pride going in the opposite way of love, which rejoices in the truth.
Well, this is what I have to say about this now. If you think I am mistaken in some points, correction and further discussion are welcome.
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Post by tlsitd on May 16, 2018 17:34:57 GMT -5
Personal Fable is basically pride that has turned into an absolute delusion. People can be proud about just about anything As far as I have experienced, pride goes the opposite way of love. It seeks self, exalt self, and only cares about self.
There are many different levels of pride, and it is always connected to something, as you said, a thing or quality the person has and boast about it (either in mind, outwardly, or both).
And I believe the person who has the Holy Spirit dwelling in them is easily alerted when pride is at the door.
A proud person may have difficult in showing kindness and love to others, especially to those who are contrary to them (which are seen as enemies) or represent threat (self wants the throne).
As I said: Pride and love cannot coexist."And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!" - Mark 13:37And the person with pride is very resistant to others opinion, and they usually answer harshly or arrogantly when anyone brings something contrary to what they believe is right.
And sincerity, which is truth according to one's conscience, is usually avoided in pride... When the person omits sincerity to defend what they want.
Again, pride going in the opposite way of love, which rejoices in the truth.
Well, this is what I have to say about this now. If you think I am mistaken in some points, correction and further discussion are welcome.I agree; genuine love is not proud. Pride is concerned with itself. Love is concerned for others. ...Love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude... (1 Corinthians 13:4,5) I also agree that pride sacrifices sincerity to defend itself. Again, pride is self-concerned.
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PG4Him
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Post by PG4Him on May 16, 2018 17:47:49 GMT -5
You're absolutely right, Letters. Pride and love are at odds with each other.
I would say one thing, though. Pride often manifests as arrogance, but not always. Some prideful people are addicted to being martyrs. They will lay it on thick with the self-deprecation (and sometimes self harm) to show you how earnest they are in their victimhood.
The primary symptom of pride is stubbornness. Prideful people don't change. They always justify themselves -- and it usually involves other people being too stupid/naive/unspiritual to help them change.
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