Narcissism in the Last Days: Biblical Signs and How to Stand Firm

Have you ever looked around – at relationships, maybe politics, scrolling through social media – and felt like narcissistic behavior is just… everywhere these days?

That sense of entitlement, the lack of empathy, the constant self-focus? And have you wondered, especially as a person of faith, if there's something deeper going on, maybe even a spiritual dimension to this trend? If that resonates with you, then this article is for you.

In this blog, we’re going to look at what Scripture says about narcissism in the last days — not just as a troubling trend, but as a spiritual sign of the times.

We’ll explore how this rise in entitlement, self-focus, and lack of empathy connects to what the Bible says will mark the final days. And more importantly, we’ll talk about how you can stay grounded — how to stand firm in truth, walk in love, and protect your peace in a world that’s growing more self-centered by the day.

Narcissism in the Bible

The Bible actually has quite a lot to say about what people will be like as we approach the end times. One of the most striking, and frankly, sobering passages is found in Paul's second letter to Timothy, chapter 3, verses 1 through 5:

"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people."

When you really sit with that list, it’s hard not to see it as a near-clinical description of narcissism:

•  “People will be lovers of themselves…” That’s the very heart of narcissism — self-obsession, self-worship, self above all. 
• “Boastful, proud…” That inflated sense of superiority — the constant need to be admired, to be seen as better. 
• “Abusive…” The willingness to exploit or harm others for personal gain — emotionally, spiritually, or otherwise. 
• “Ungrateful…” That deep entitlement. The belief that the world — or God — owes them something. 
• “Without love, unforgiving…” A chilling lack of empathy. No real compassion. No willingness to release offense. 
• “Slanderous…” The need to tear others down — especially those who challenge or expose them. 
• “Treacherous…” A pattern of betrayal. Of turning on people when they’re no longer useful.
• “Conceited…” That inner narrative of “I’m the exception. I’m above correction. I deserve more.”

And then this… the one that hits so deeply for people of faith: 

• “Having a form of godliness, but denying its power.” This points to a kind of spiritual narcissism, using religious language or appearance but lacking genuine, heart-transforming faith.

And this isn't an isolated passage. Jesus Himself, in Matthew 24, verse 12, gives a related warning about the end times: "Because of the increase of wickedness [or lawlessness], the love of most will grow cold."

This cooling of love, this diminishing of empathy and compassion – it's a hallmark of both narcissistic individuals and a culture increasingly shaped by narcissistic values.

When self-love pushes out love for God and love for others, relationships become transactional, about what *I* can get, rather than transformational and self-giving.

Signs of Narcissism in Our Culture Today

Paul and Jesus warned about this thousands of years ago. But when we look at our world *today*, it's hard to miss these signs cropping up:

1. The Selfie Culture:

We live in an age where self-promotion isn't just accepted; it's often expected. Social media platforms, by their very design, can encourage us to focus intensely on our image, our follower counts, our perceived influence. While taking pictures isn't wrong, the *obsession* with curating a perfect online persona really echoes Paul's warning about people becoming "lovers of themselves."

2. The Entitlement Epidemic:

Many are calling what we're seeing everywhere an "entitlement epidemic."  It means a growing expectation, almost a demand, for special treatment, for rewards, for recognition, often without the corresponding effort, sacrifice, or responsibility that traditionally earned such things. It's the feeling that the world *owes* us something – comfort, success, ease – simply because we exist.

The Bible describes people in the last days as being "ungrateful." Consider the connection: entitlement is the very opposite of gratitude. Gratitude recognizes blessings as gifts, things received that were not necessarily earned or deserved. Entitlement, on the other hand, views blessings not as gifts, but as rights, as things owed. When you feel owed, you cannot be truly grateful when you receive something; you might even feel resentful if it doesn't meet your inflated expectations. It's an inability, or perhaps an unwillingness, to appreciate what one has because the focus is entirely on what one believes they deserve—which is always more.

3. The Empathy Decline:

This trend is deeply concerning. Multiple studies have shown a significant decline in empathy, particularly among younger generations. For instance, a major study from the University of Michigan examined empathy levels in college students over a 30-year span. What they found was sobering: empathetic concern had dropped by nearly 40% compared to students in the late '70s and '80s. This signifies less compassion, less concern for others, and a growing numbness in the heart—precisely what Jesus warned: "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold" (Matthew 24:12).

4. The Fame Obsession:

It used to be that children aspired to be doctors, firefighters, or teachers—professions focused on contributing to society. Now, when many children are asked what they want to be, a common answer is simply "famous." Not famous for a particular skill or contribution, but famous just for being known. This reflects the "boastful, proud, conceited" traits Paul warned about.

5. Spiritual Narcissism:

Perhaps the most dangerous manifestation for believers is the rise of spiritual narcissism. This involves using God, Scripture, and religious activities not to genuinely serve God and others, but to serve the self. It's about seeking spiritual status, manipulating others with religious language, or demanding that God conform to our desires. This is precisely Paul's warning about "having a form of godliness but denying its power"—it appears spiritual externally, but the inner reality has not been transformed by God's grace and truth.

The Spiritual Roots of Narcissism

So, we see the signs in culture, and we see the prophecies in Scripture. But let's go deeper. From a biblical perspective, this rise in narcissism isn't just a social trend; it has profound spiritual roots.

Paul, writing again in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2, talks about the coming of the "lawless one" in the end times. He says this figure's coming will be:

"...in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved." (2 Thess 2:9-10). 

Notice the core issue: a refusal to love the *truth*. Narcissism absolutely thrives on deception, especially self-deception. It's built on the lie that the self is supreme, that personal desires trump God's principles, that image matters more than reality.

Jesus Himself called Satan "the father of lies" (John 8:44). So, an increase in narcissism can be seen as an increase in Satan's deceptive influence – maybe not always through dramatic, overt ways, but through the subtle, constant promotion of self-worship over God-worship.

The Garden of Eden, Where It All Began

Let's delve deeper into the spiritual roots of the narcissistic spirit we see today. Where did it all begin? The original script rightly points us back to the Garden of Eden, to that pivotal moment of temptation recorded in Genesis chapter 3. Remember Satan's sly whisper to Eve? After casting doubt on God's goodness and His word, he presents the ultimate lure, the forbidden fruit, saying, "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and *you will be like God*, knowing good and evil" (Genesis 3:5).

Now, let's unpack that phrase: "You will be like God." This wasn't just a promise of increased knowledge or wisdom. It was far more insidious, far more fundamental. It was an invitation to *usurp God's place*. It was a temptation towards ultimate autonomy – becoming a law unto oneself (that's what 'autonomy' literally means: auto-nomos, self-law). It was a call to self-deification, to reject the status of a created being dependent on the Creator and instead seize the authority to define reality, to determine good and evil for oneself, independent of God.

Think about how profoundly narcissistic that is! It's the desire to be the center of your own universe, accountable to no one higher than yourself. It's the rejection of limits, the craving for absolute control, the belief that *your* perspective, *your* desires, *your* definition of truth should reign supreme. Satan wasn't just offering information; he was offering a perceived promotion to divinity, a chance to cast off the perceived shackles of obedience and dependence on God and become self-sufficient, self-defining, self-worshipping beings.

This, my friend, is the original lie —the ancient rebellion from which so much else flows. It’s the poisonous root of pride — the voice that says, “I don't need God. I can be God.” It’s what elevated self above surrender. What twisted desire into entitlement. What turned trust into control.

Every expression of narcissism we see today —the self-absorption, the manipulation, the lack of empathy —is an echo of that same fatal whisper from the Garden. And when we understand that…we begin to see that narcissism isn’t just a modern psychological issue. It’s spiritual. It’s ancient. And it’s growing louder in these last days.

This isn’t just personality gone wrong. It’s a pattern of rebellion playing out on the world stage —a false gospel of self… rising up as the love of many grows cold.

Why Narcissism Will Increase in the Last Days

We've established the connection between narcissism and original sin. But why does the Bible specifically indicate it will "increase" in the last days? Scripture provides several insights:

1. The Removal of Restraint:

One key reason the scriptures point to is what the Apostle Paul calls the 'removal of restraint.' Let's look closely at 2 Thessalonians chapter 2, verses 6 and 7. Paul writes to the believers: "And you know what is restraining him [the man of lawlessness] now so that he may be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way."

There's a lot packed into those verses. Paul speaks of a 'mystery of lawlessness' – an evil, rebellious force against God – that was *already* secretly operating even in his day. But crucially, he says something, or someone, is actively 'restraining' it, holding it back, preventing it from reaching its full, terrifying potential. This restraint acts like a dam holding back floodwaters.

Now, who or what is this 'restrainer'? As the original script notes, theologians have discussed this for centuries.

1. Some believe it's the Holy Spirit, working universally and particularly through the Church, convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8).
2. Others suggest it refers to the principle of human government and the rule of law, ordained by God (Romans 13:1-4) to maintain order and punish wrongdoing.
3. Still others see it as the influence of the Church itself, acting as salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16) in a decaying world.

Perhaps it involves elements of all these. However, the vital point isn't necessarily pinning down the exact identity, but understanding its function: there is a God-ordained force actively suppressing the full manifestation of evil and lawlessness in the world. It keeps the worst impulses of fallen humanity somewhat in check.

But Paul also gives a sober warning: That restraint won’t last forever. There will come a time when God, in His sovereignty, steps back…Not because He’s lost control — but because His plan is unfolding. And when that restraint is lifted? The dam breaks. The ‘man of lawlessness’ — often associated with the Antichrist — will be revealed.

And what was once hidden or restrained will boil over into full rebellion. This is exactly what Jesus warned in Matthew 24:12:

“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.” Let that sink in.

As wickedness increases, love — the fruit of the Spirit, the heartbeat of God — begins to wither. And we’re already seeing signs of it. When external restraints — like moral laws, accountability, or social standards — begin to erode…

And when internal restraints — like conviction from the Holy Spirit, or a heart shaped by the Word — are rejected or silenced… What happens? The gravitational pull of sin takes over. Selfishness rises. Pride grows. Empathy disappears.

And self-worship — the heart of narcissism — is unleashed.

It’s the same pattern Paul describes in Romans 1, where God gives people over to their sinful desires. Not because He has stopped caring — but because they’ve persistently rejected Him. “God gave them over to a depraved mind…” (Romans 1:28) And what follows? A society filled with the very same traits listed in 2 Timothy 3.

2. The Acceleration of Deception:

Jesus warned in Matthew 24:24 that in the last days, "false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect." That’s how powerful the deception will be — persuasive enough to almost fool even the most faithful.

And deception… is the fertile soil where narcissism grows.

Because when people become disconnected from objective truth —especially the kind of truth that puts God at the center instead of self —narcissistic thinking doesn’t just sneak in…It thrives. Truth becomes relative. Identity becomes self-defined. And instead of surrendering to God, people start exalting themselves.

And in that climate — where image is everything, and accountability is nothing —the spirit of narcissism takes root and spreads like wildfire.

3.  The Pressure of Tribulation:

Jesus also spoke of a time of "great distress [or tribulation], unequaled from the beginning of the world until now" (Matthew 24:21). Under extreme pressure, fear, and uncertainty, the default human tendency can be towards self-preservation at all costs, rather than self-sacrifice or concern for others. Narcissism can become a twisted, maladaptive coping mechanism in times of intense crisis.

4. The Ripening for Judgment:

Another profound reason the Bible suggests wickedness, including narcissism, increases before the end is what we might call a 'ripening for judgment.' This sounds harsh, but it reflects a pattern we see in Scripture where God, in His sovereignty and patience, sometimes allows sin to run its course, to reach a certain fullness or threshold, before He intervenes decisively in judgment.

So, when we see narcissism escalating, when we see society increasingly embracing self-worship and rejecting God's truth, it could be interpreted, biblically, as humanity collectively 'filling up the measure' of its iniquity. It's a sobering sign that the world might be ripening for God's righteous judgment and final intervention, making the call to repentance and faithfulness all the more urgent for us today.

How to Stand Firm in a Narcissistic World

Okay, that's a heavy picture. The Bible predicts this rise in narcissism, connects it to spiritual deception, and links it to the end times. So, what do we *do*? How do we, as followers of Jesus, stand firm and live differently in such a culture? The Bible doesn't leave us without guidance. Here are some crucial strategies:

1. Cultivate Genuine Humility:

This is the absolute antidote to narcissism. Philippians 2, verses 3 and 4 tell us: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." This isn't about having low self-esteem or being a doormat; biblical humility is having an *accurate* view of ourselves – recognizing our dependence on God and seeing the value He places on others.

2. Anchor Yourself in Truth:

In a world swirling with deception and self-serving narratives, we *must* be anchored in God's unchanging Word. Jesus prayed in John 17:17, "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth." This isn't just about knowing Bible facts; it's about letting God's truth permeate our thinking, shape our values, and transform our desires.

3. Practice Intentional Community:

We cannot stand firm alone. Hebrews 10:24-25 urges us: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Did you catch that last part? *"All the more as you see the Day approaching."* As things get darker, genuine Christian community becomes even more vital.

4. Develop Spiritual Discernment:

With deception increasing, we need wisdom to tell truth from error, the genuine from the counterfeit. 1 John 4:1 warns: "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." Discernment is a skill that needs honing.

5. Cultivate the Fruit of the Spirit:

Galatians 5:22-23 gives us the beautiful picture of a Spirit-filled life: "love, joy, peace, forbearance [patience], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." These qualities are the polar opposite of the narcissistic traits listed in 2 Timothy 3. They show what happens when God's Spirit, not self-worship, is shaping our character.

A Message of Hope

While these prophecies about the last days can feel discouraging, the Bible doesn't end there. There are incredible signs of hope! Even as darkness and narcissism increase, God promises He is also powerfully at work.

Listen to the promise in Joel chapter 2 (verses 28-29):

"And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days."

This outpouring of the Holy Spirit produces the opposite of narcissism! It creates people who are God-centered, not self-centered; people who serve rather than demand service; people who speak truth in love rather than manipulating with lies. And even in the midst of tribulation, God preserves a faithful remnant. Revelation 14:12 speaks of them: "This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus." So, friends, the increase in narcissism we're witnessing isn't just a random psychological or social trend. The Bible reveals it as a spiritual reality, predicted thousands of years ago as a sign of the last days. As believers, we shouldn't be shocked by it, but crucially, we must not be conformed to it.

Instead, we are called, as Romans 12:2 says, to be "transformed by the renewing of our minds." We're called to "stand firm in the faith" (1 Corinthians 16:13) and to "shine like stars" in the midst of a warped and crooked generation (Philippians 2:15).

The really good news is this: the rise of narcissism isn't the final chapter. It's actually a signpost pointing towards the glorious return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of His eternal kingdom—a kingdom defined by perfect love, absolute truth, genuine humility, and complete righteousness.

Until that Day, let's stand firm. Not in our own strength—we can't do it alone—but in the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, enabling us to resist the narcissistic spirit of this age and, more and more, to reflect the beautiful character of Christ.

If this message gave you clarity, strength, or comfort, please consider sharing it with someone who may need it. You never know who's silently struggling and searching for truth. And remember this: You are not imagining the rise in deception. You are not overreacting to the selfishness, the coldness, the distortion of love. The Bible told us these days would come—but it also tells us how to stand.

So hold fast to truth. Walk in love. Let the Holy Spirit anchor your heart and guide your steps. God sees you. He is with you. And even in a narcissistic, self-centered age, you were created for something better. Toxicity is not your destiny. Jesus is—and He is more than enough.

To watch the video of this article, click here.

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