“Emotional Drama, never ending dark damaging intrigue OCCURS WITH BOTH!” T. D’Arcy
The Video Link Targeting Gatekeeping is down at the bottom
“They viewed themselves as God’s inner Circle, elite, elected and gifted apostles, prophets, a few pastors, who were set in place by God Himself to BE OVER ALL OF THE REST OF US.” Caste System in Ministry
“ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY” Lord Acton
A Narcissist vs A Cult:
Spotting the Difference in Ministry, Leadership & Life
“We keep wrestling ..”not against flesh and blood’ (says Apostle Paul, Ephesians 6) ..
Yet it’s the PEOPLE who keep displaying it.” Sister T
Sir Apostle Paul “But it’s the Last Perilous Times, even God’s people, their contrived religious systems will resemble 2 Timothy 3:1-8, I Timothy 6:5..so (his command) AVOID!”
“They ONLY want to OWN YOU but never get to KNOW YOU so they stand safely far OFF to occult divine, repeatedly deep scan to “READ OUR INNER MOST PRIVATE THOUGHTS, THIRSTS, PRIVATE LIVES” And following that, if they DO NOT LIKE what they “INNER PERCEIVE” they call up all the rest of the ILK and put us on their “BLACK BALL GIANT LIST” WELP
First Church RELATED: I John 1:7, Ephesians 4:1-3, James 3:17, Ephesians 5:21, Isaiah 1:18, Galatians 6;1, Matthew 18:15, Ephesians 4:32 MORE
(C)2025 Taveau D’Arcy all copyrights reserved under international copyright laws, in conjunction with AI
“HE SHE, THEY, IT…. were trending in the own minds”
TAVEAU SEES IT LIKE THIS (TD’S IMPRESSION AFTER NOTING SOCIAL MEDIA AND HER OWN CULT EXPERIENCES..EGOS
POINT: A NARCISSIST IS LIKE “CULT OF ONE” WHO CAN CONTROL, EFFECT PARALYZE JUST 1-2 or a FEW PEOPLE
POINT: A CULT IS LIKE A GIANT SPIRIT IN A NATIONAL, AREA GROUP WHO HAS “NARCISSIST SKILLFUL TRAITS AND HAS EFFECT OVER EVEN LARGE MINISTRY BELOVED YET INDIFFERENT SUBCULTURES, MINISTRIES; These are opposed to Philippians 2:12 (each person hearing from God for themselves) and also ANTI Paul in Ephesians 4, also “mutual submission Eph 5:21..as it’s about “being in CONTROL”.
I Samuel Bible Study:
Eli, Hophni, and Phinehas — Narcissism, Neglect, or Something Deeper?
1. Who Were They?
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Eli: High priest and judge of Israel during the time of Samuel’s birth.
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Hophni & Phinehas: His two sons, also serving as priests.
2. Key Scriptures
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1 Samuel 2:12 – “Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD.”
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1 Samuel 2:17 – Their sin was very great before the LORD, for they treated the Lord’s offering with contempt.
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1 Samuel 2:22–25 – Eli rebukes his sons but doesn’t stop them.
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1 Samuel 3:13 – “I will judge his house… because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.”
Were They Narcissists?
Let’s define narcissism biblically and psychologically:A narcissist exhibits entitlement, lack of empathy, pride, manipulation, and a deep hunger for admiration or control.
TRUTH: Hophni and Phinehas clearly display narcissistic behaviors:
| Narcissistic Trait | Evidence from Scripture |
|---|---|
| Entitlement | Took the best meat for themselves (2:13–16) |
| Abuse of power | Slept with women at the temple (2:22) |
| Disregard for God’s law | Despised holy offerings (2:17) |
| No repentance or humility | Ignored their father’s warning (2:25) |
In a time when manipulation and spiritual abuse can hide under religious language, it’s important to understand the difference between a narcissist and a cult. Both may use control, fear, and charm, but one is a person — the other, a system.
Eli may not have been a narcissist, but:
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He was passive and fearful of conflict.
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He honored his sons above God (1 Sam. 2:29).
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God judged Eli’s house because he failed to discipline and remove his sons from leadership (3:13)
See The Mega Leviathan Chapter Job 41
Spiritual Lessons & Discipleship Insights
1. Leadership Without Accountability Breeds Corruption
If Eli had acted swiftly, Israel might have been spared defeat and the Ark wouldn’t have been captured.
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Compare: 1 Timothy 3:4–5 (leaders must manage their homes well)
2. Narcissistic Spiritual Leaders Are Dangerous
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They corrupt worship, misuse people, and dishonor God.
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Ezekiel 34 condemns self-serving shepherds: “Woe to the shepherds who feed themselves…”
3. God Judges Systems of Enablement
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Eli’s failure wasn’t just personal; it corrupted a whole generation.
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The Ark was lost. Ichabod was born (“The glory has departed”).
Leadership Self Exam
Application Questions
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Am I enabling destructive leadership — even passively — like Eli?
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Are there “Hophni and Phinehas” personalities in modern church roles today?
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How do we lovingly confront spiritual narcissism in leadership?
New Testament Connection
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Jesus warns of wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matt. 7:15–20).
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Paul rebukes diotrephes who “loves to have the preeminence” (3 John 9).
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Christ-like leadership is servant-based, not control-based (Mark 10:42–45).
1. What Is a Narcissist?
“Mama’s, Papa’s, don’t let your sons(and baby girls) grow up to be intolerant “Can Do No Wrong” Egos.
TD Submits: NARCISSIST: A DAMAGING EGO WITH A BLIND SPOT (be it a person or a legalistic group)
A narcissist is typically an individual (sometimes with Narcissistic Personality Disorder) who demands constant admiration and exerts control over others for self-centered purposes.
Common Traits:
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Inflated sense of self-importance
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Little or no empathy
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Controls through guilt, charm, or fear
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Often isolates you from other influences
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No real belief system — the idol is themself
Warning Signs:
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“You owe me.”
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“Everyone else is wrong but me.”
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“I’m the only one who truly understands you.”
2 What Is a Cult?
A cult is a group centered around a charismatic leader or rigid belief system that controls its members — mentally, emotionally, financially, or spiritually.
Common Traits:
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Group control > Individual freedom
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Claims exclusive access to truth
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Punishes questions or doubts
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Often isolates members from the world and family
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Uses doctrine or “prophecy” to manipulate
Warning Signs:
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“Only we have the real truth.” “WE ARE THE WAY, TRUTH AND THE LIFE” “PROTECT OUR TURF” but not submitted to Ephesians 4 Community
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“Don’t talk to outsiders.” “WE are the ONLY TRUTH”
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“To question US, OUR CONTROL, OUR VIEWS is rebellion against God.” “You’re offended, are critical” “Your are unsubmitted (to our kind of spiritual authority)
3.NARCISSIST EGO AND CULT.. Shared Tactics (But Different Scope) TD’S Curious Thought:
ONE (A) Human Narcissist Individual can only effect “so many INDIVIDUALS or COMPANIES at a TIME”
ONE (A) Narcissist CULT (SYSTEM) holds MANY SPECIAL PERSONS captive for LUST AND MONEY
| Tactic | Narcissist (Person) ** | Cult (Group/System) ** |
|---|---|---|
| Love Bombing | yes | yes |
| Gaslighting | yes | yes |
| Isolation | yes | yes |
| Demands loyalty | yes | yes |
| Fear-based control | yes | yes |
| Twists Scripture | Sometimes | Often |
| Claims divine right | Often | Always |
Narcissists in the Bible: Who They Were & What We Can Learn
Today’s church needs strong discernment. Many spiritual battles are not just about doctrines — they’re about personalities and systems that reflect narcissistic patterns of pride, control, and manipulation. The Bible is full of such examples — not just for history’s sake, but as warnings for today.
PONDER: What Is Narcissism?
While modern psychology defines narcissism as a personality disorder, the Bible describes its traits clearly: pride, rebellion, deception, and a thirst for control and self-exaltation.
Let’s look at several biblical figures and groups who showed narcissistic behavior — and what they can teach us.
Individuals in Scripture With Narcissistic Traits
1. Lucifer / Satan
Isaiah 14:12–15, Ezekiel 28:17
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Wanted to ascend above God Himself
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Obsessed with glory and power
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Rooted in pride and rebellion
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“I will exalt my throne above the stars of God…”
2. King Saul
1 Samuel 15–18
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Refused to fully obey God
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Jealous of David’s anointing and public favor
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Tried to kill David out of wounded ego
“I have sinned… yet honor me now before the elders” (1 Samuel 15:30)
3. Pharaoh of Egypt
Exodus 5–12
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Hardened heart, rejected Moses’ message
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Saw himself as divine
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Only relented after personal devastation
“Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice?”
4. King Nebuchadnezzar
Daniel 3–4
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Built a golden image of himself
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Demanded worship from all
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Was humbled only after losing his mind
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“Is not this great Babylon that I have built… by my mighty power?”
5. Haman
Esther 3–7
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Lived for public honor
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Enraged when Mordecai wouldn’t bow
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Plotted genocide to protect his pride
“All this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai…”
6. Absalom
2 Samuel 15
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Manipulated hearts with charm and lies
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Plotted to steal his father’s throne
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Sought status, not righteousness
“He stole the hearts of the men of Israel…”
7. Diotrephes
3 John 9–10
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Loved to be first
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Rejected apostolic authority
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Slandered and expelled the faithful
“Who loves to have the preeminence among them…”
Groups That Reflected Narcissistic Culture
1. The Pharisees & Sadducees
Matthew 23
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Loved public honor and titles
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Controlled with rules they didn’t keep
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Rejected Christ because He exposed them
“All their works they do to be seen of men.”
2. Tower of Babel Builders
Genesis 11:4
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Unified in self-exaltation
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Rejected God’s instruction to spread
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Wanted to “make a name” for themselves
“Let us build… a name, lest we be scattered.”
3. False Teachers / False Prophets
2 Peter 2, Jude 1, Matthew 7:15–23
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Used flattery, greed, and deception
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Led people astray for personal gain
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Lacked real submission to God
- “They speak great swelling words of vanity…” (2 Peter 2:18)
SEND IN THE CHRIST
The Biblical Antidote: True Servant Leadership
The Rugged Cruel Cross “The Symbol Human EGO, ID “BIG I” Crossed fully out” (Old Billy Graham day quote) “Not my will, but your will be done” “It is not I who live, but Christ who lives within me.” St Paul
Jesus taught the exact opposite of narcissism:
“The greatest among you shall be your servant.” – Matthew 23:11
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus… who made Himself of no reputation.” – Philippians 2:5–7
Final Thought
God’s people must learn to discern the fruit of character — not just charisma or influence. Whether it’s a leader, influencer, or even an entire group — narcissistic patterns can harm the flock and twist God’s Word into control.
Ask yourself:
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Does this leader serve or demand?
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Are questions welcomed or punished?
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Is the focus on Jesus — or on someone else’s image?
Stay awake. Stay grounded in Scripture. And remember:
“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” – 2 Corinthians 3:17
CULT CONTROL VS “WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION WITH FEAR** AND TREMBLING” MEGA APOSTLE PAUL
** but not with ‘fear of any humans” let them mark your name on any black list for THEY are FALSE who do that type of NON Biblical Poor Me Fruit”
“ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY” – Lord Acton
“Fear of human brings a snare, but those who put their trust in the Lord will be saved!” Proverbs 29:25
Submission is a false teaching which builds a greedy, mammon centric Accuser Turf Guarding and it is WHY I teach Paul in Ephesian 3:1-8, 1 Timothy 6:5, Ephesians 4, and more
VIDEO LINK CHRISTIAN GATEKEEPING https://youtu.be/T_Qq4DMnlCo?si=L8W98TaQpCUgOGze
TO HELP SUPPORT THE NON BIAS OUTREACH
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