Struggling with how to respond to someone very self centered.

Our only witness possible is of Jesus Christ and what He has done for each of us, but it is quite possible for a person to be unspiritually overboard. Remember the girl with the demon who followed the apostle for a few days say "these are teh men of the most High God, or the like until finally, Paul I believe, turned to her and cast out a demon, after which she was no longer able to earn money for her family by her demonically influenced soothsaying.

@dokimos

I do not go along with the current belief that personality disorders are from upbringing. I believe that inheritance is the biggest factor in a full blown disorders but traits can be picked up by example.

The strongest trait is the lack of conscience and the best way to learn how to deal with theses people is education about cluster B personalities. Suffering at their hands has been the biggest influence in my spiritual growth and development of wisdom.

So, you are saying it is okay for me to not speak against this person's sin myself, to let God do His work in revealing these sin areas?

Yes, it is in my opinion a Charismatic Evangelical church. I looked up the meaning of Charismatic Christian Church, and it actually sounds like they are based in the miracles and activity of the Holy Spirit. Like gifts of the Holy Spirit and everything.

Are you a cessationist by any chance?

I think the problem lies more in it being an evangelical church than a charismatic church. The reason being that evangelical churches are almost always "starter" churches for those not ready for meat, only able to stomach milk. These churches function by their name: EVANGELICAL. They are there to evangelize. When you are grafted in to the body of Christ, you eventually will grow out of the evangelical church.

Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to [a]perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this [b]we will do if God permits. [HEBREWS 6]

These churches *never* progress. If you spiritually grow and try *at all* to bring to light spiritual dangers like Yoga, New Age, etc. make no mistake, you *will* get attacked by those who are spiritually immature.

That girl actually had a demon inhabiting her, if I am not mistaken, though. Her case is much different, and she does a much different thing. I think demons can, from the outside position, attack the Christian's mind - making specific sin easier to commit. Of course there are false converts not born again who can be inhabited. Especially if they do not really believe in Jesus.

I have a close one to my heart who unfortunately seems only to enjoy speaking of The Lord in the context of their own bible knowledge, accomplishments, gifts, immediate life experiences, etc. I feel strongly that either this individual uses The Lord as a cover for speaking about things that pertain to themselves, oblivious to the spiritual danger and how this can lead us away from humility and trust in Jesus - or is under demonic influence (this is separate from they themselves being demonic, I love this person).

To this person, I have been in bondage for years, constantly affirming them, their feelings and accomplishments. This was when I was not as well-versed in the matters of the spiritual. This was an honest mistake. It turns out, some of what we do that seems uncontrollable CAN come from having demonic influence. Not always, of course, we have our own responsibility to stand guard against sinfulness, but I truly believe this person has a demon that causes them, during conversation, to incessantly speak - compulsively drawing conversations to center around themselves. It is to an abnormal degree. As much as I hate to admit this, I have reason to believe this might come from a generational curse, even.

Those in Christ have heard many prophets give words from the Spirit, that we are not to conduct ourselves in this way at all, as it is a spiritual danger and represents lousy witness to anyone with discernment. It makes having a conversation about JESUS CHRIST incredibly difficult, too. When He is treated only as an add-on or merely as an "energy", He is easily forgotten about. His works are not seen to us, because we are only recognizing our immediate, carnal reality.

There are other issues I have experienced with this person that has made a genuine relationship difficult, especially in discussing the matters of Jesus.

I am definitely in sin for noticing it and letting it bother me as much as it does, for judging. I am in sin for still, attempting to simply bear with it for the sake of peace. I am in sin for not telling this person. It is more comfortable for me to not tell them and to avoid the anger, the withdrawal of that person from my life potentially. I am fearing man more than GOD in this instance.

Part of me feels it is definitely The Spirit's job to convict this person - but if that is not so, I do not want to take the easy way out. The church this person and I attend is very centered around the doctrine of "Jesus paid it all". The more I grow in grace and the more the Holy Spirit reveals to me, the more the church I attend seems like a watered down social club that treats their elders as celebrities. It is 1 Cor. 15:1-4 gospel centered, but also VERY man centered, as much as it tries not to be, its actions speak louder than its words. There is much lenience on sin in the church, and I have seen Satan use it as a tramping ground. The person I am speaking of has grown up on the watered down grace doctrine their whole lives. Any attempt by me to correct this person would be met with rebuke with this backwards, watered down false doctrine of grace that leaves no room for growth and self examination to see if we are still in the faith.

For many Christians, it is about getting rid of those major sin areas (like lust, addiction, etc), celebrating that, and then wallowing in heart sin forever and ever, using twisted scripture as the basis for never growing as a disciple of Jesus. Selfishness, jealousy, carnal anxiety, focus on worldly matters, partiality, unforgiveness, etc. When the bible preaches against specific heart sin, the immature Christian almost never sees how it applies to them.

Please pray that The Lord would give me discernment and strength to respond to this person in a Spirit-led way - and when it is appropriate to disregard them for my own spiritual health and growth in Jesus. I feel that this person is not the only one in sin, to be clear.

Thank you for reading this far if you have. I do not like to celebrate Christmas, but I pray for everyone who is celebrating that Jesus Christ will be with you, giving you His peace that surpasses all understanding, that in Him you are not feeling alone, for those without a family this season. May you find joy, rest and comfort in Him and all that He is and offers us.

Not sure I quite understand, but could be something to do with a religious spirit operating under the guise of Jezebel, who latches on to someone whos passive like Ahab. Then it becomes a stronghold. If you know the story of Jezebel it will give you some insight into whats behind it (baal worship)
Jesus says once you know the truth the truth will set you free.

Dealing with disorders like borderline or narcissm...Wisdom from the Bible says you dont pick grapes of thistles or gather figs from thorns...you can tell a tree by its fruit. If you cant keep away or a distance you need to at least become detached, its like if you are near an alcoholic or any addictive personality its best not to feed it.
Some people call it toxic or emotional vampires that too sounds a warning dont get sucked into other peoples dramas. Sometimes its best not to respond at all!

Yes you can pray but might be helpful to know some demon routing prayers or combat scriptures...look in psalms when David was surrounded by the enemy...he was being chased by Saul who had an evil spirit and was out to destroy David becuase he was jealous..and also self centred. Also recall that Saul consulted the witch of endor something he shouldnt have done, messing with the occult has consequences.

Or when elijah was confronting Jezebel. It seems like you a bit afraid of confrontation because of this persons feelings may get hurt...well this is the narcissitic rage that comes out, you cant walk on eggshells all the time, thats no way to live. God is on your side and more powerful than someone elses tantrum. HE will defend you just keep up your shield of faith. There are tens of thousands of angels on Gods side though you cannot see. So dont fear. If you a believer, youve been adopted into Christ family, the curse has been broken by the blood of Jesus so whatever generation curse it was will not fall on you..it has passed over just like the angel of death passes over all those who put the blood of the lamb on their doorposts.

Hi!

To the surprise of many im not a cessationist! I just try to have discernment on when the gifts being used are real, or just carnal boasting phonys.

You can say something about it, no doubt, but if it has no effect, then "let them be".

I have never went to "evangelical" churches, atleast something called like that, so I cant say. But if a church approves of yoga and the other things you mentioned for example, then its DEFINATELY a very wicked church full of compromise with the world. Flee from that.
You are also correct that some churches are on milk level forever, but its also due to them getting new members (thank God) so the same things need to be repeated.

If I was the protestant pope I would have it organized that we have our own RCIA program, not for JOINING the church like the catholics do, but a teaching series where those who recently joined the church are given the BASICS of the faith. This would save them from a lot of trouble.

Imo you are dealing with seed on Rocky soil. The pride issue alone clearly shows that.
All of us deal with the issue of being submissive. Some of us won't allow humility to enter in so God can mold and shape us according to his purpose.
Social media is a prime cause of this. Self help, self worth, are what we crave for in our carnal mind.
Warming your hands in the enemies camp is never a good thing just ask Peter.
Paul had to be thrown off his horse, to ground level and blinded, helpless, and in need of aid from others to realize it's about Christ.
Remember Jesus will finish the work he has started in each and every one of us.😃😃

If I am honest, I do not believe every prophet or every word in my church is genuine. Prophets at my church are used in the quarterly prophecy meetings, but they also, during worship at the beginning of the service go up on the microphone, in front of the congregation (of course, they need to give words that are edifying to the entire congregation and have an effective way to do that, I don't fault them for doing it this way) and you KNOW that has to appeal to someone, somewhere's flesh, to where they want the gift of prophecy so they can get up on that mic and be seen and heard.

The person I spoke of in a previous post, who was featured as a testimony for our church's "faith basics" course, sent me a very nasty message not too long ago because I spoke out against in a public forum and showed where Satanist Aleister Crowley had vouched for, and promoted Yoga. I included a quote of Aleister Crowley, and asked the simple question to all: Why do you want to do Yoga if you are a Christian?

We are not in contact with the middle sibling because they are extremely verbally abusive to both of us. The sibling I speak of in the original post has accused me of being personality disordered and then took it back later on, funny enough. Each one of us has accused the other of being personality disordered.

We can't all three of us be personality disordered, we did not grow up together and our mother did not raise us. This is why I believe there is a GENERATIONAL CURSE which involves demonic activity in some areas.

I think we can attribute some mental illnesses, physical illnesses and yes, even personality disorders to demonic influence, curses and generational curses! There is a strong self-focus spirit, spirit of pride and possibly even witchcraft/occult laying on my bloodline.

Matthew 10
35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

Meaning? There are times when one must pick up their cross, and follow Christ!

Yes! For many years this person was my sole religious influence and the person I felt I needed to answer to, I did not know Jesus! I was deceived, so deceived. I tremble to think if I had died before now, but GOD preserved all of our lives. Wow...