Heath Lambert addresses questions about narcissism in Christian ministry: Is it widespread in churches, and should those displaying narcissistic traits be removed from leadership? Discover how Scripture reframes this contemporary psychological concern as the age-old spiritual problem of pride.TIMESTAMPS:0:00 Introduction to this week's topic on covert narcissism0:50 How the Marked by Grace question process works2:23 The two-part question: Is covert narcissism rampant in church? Should narcissists be fired?2:53 Understanding narcissism from a secular perspective4:11 The biblical equivalent: pride as described in Scripture5:13 Pride as the universal root problem of sinners6:31 Is narcissism (pride) rampant in the church?7:17 Should "covert narcissists" be fired from church positions?7:44 Biblical qualifications and 1 Timothy 3:6 on conceit8:56 The crucial distinction: struggling with pride vs. being "swollen with conceit"KEY POINTS:- Narcissism is a secular psychological term from the DSM describing traits like grandiosity, need for admiration, and arrogance- These characteristics closely align with what the Bible identifies as pride (1 John 2:16)- Pride—the desire to exalt ourselves above others and God—is the fundamental problem of every sinner- All Christians, including church leaders, struggle with pride in some form- The biblical qualification in 1 Timothy 3:6 isn't the absence of pride but not being "puffed up with conceit"- There's a significant difference between a qualified leader who battles pride and seeks to overcome it versus someone who is "swollen with conceit"- Disqualification should be based on biblical grounds (being dominated by pride), not merely secular psychological categories- Judgments about disqualification should come from those close to the person who observe a pattern, not from distant assumptionsSubmit your questions for future episodes to [email protected] REFERENCES:1 John 2:16 - "All that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and the pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world."1 Timothy 3:6 - "He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil."

Ver todos los episodios