Narcissism or confirmation of the word of God?


As I was getting ready for work a couple of days ago I overheard a portion of the news, where the question was being asked if parents are creating narcissists by praising their children for everything and telling them that they are deserving of certain things. The report continued to say that parents who do so are creating children who will not accept “no” for an answer and will not be able to manage well in the real world.
I do hear what they are saying, but I also think about those children who can never do anything good enough in the eyes of their parents, those who are told that they do not deserve a better life and that they are inferior to another sibling. What or who are we creating?  Are we creating children who have low self-esteem, not willing to try at anything because they already feel that they will fail?

Unfortunately I tend to see things according to the word of God. I believe that we should encourage and commend our children whenever they make an effort at doing something. I do believe that they should know that they are “fearfully and wonderfully made”.  I do believe that I should let them know that they are “above” and not “beneath”, that they are the “head” and not the tail”. I do want them to understand that what is within them is greater than what is in the world. I want them to know that it is not by might or by power that they do these things, but by the Spirit of the Lord. I do believe that God’s children are already victorious because Jesus Christ has already overcome the world.

Who or what are we developing when we do this? I believe we are developing men and women who know exactly who they are in Christ Jesus and who will conduct themselves in a way pleasing to God. I believe we are developing children who will make a positive difference in the world. Children who will not be followers, but instead leaders, children who will not be looking for love in the wrong places; children who will not need a gun to make them strong or important, but will use the word of God as their sword.

In His Service,

Vilma

Leave a Reply