The Knowledge of Good And Evil

A series of articles on Narcissism (Part 21)

By Prof. Rudy L. Miranda

“And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.”
— Genesis 2:9 (KJ2000)

Is Narcissistic Personality Disorder Evil? Is NPD the one being alluded or referred to in the prophetical words in 2 Timothy 3:1-5?

2 Timothy 3:1-5 (KJ2000)

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder is defined by neuroscientist as "one of several types of personality disorders — is a mental condition in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for excessive attention and admiration, troubled relationships, and a lack of empathy for others."

Narcissistic Personality Disorder is not a disease that can be cured by medicine or drug. The usual "treatment for narcissistic personality disorder centers around talk therapy (psychotherapy)."
(MayoClinic). As to the effectiveness of this treatment to a person who sees nothing wrong with himself/herself, remains, in the opinion of this writer, is delusional. Persons with NPD are not capable of self reflection. The sense or knowledge of right and wrong or good and evil is something that is unknown to the person with NPD. To the Narcissists, everything is just a matter of whether the thing is beneficial to them or not, whether it will gratify or not their bottomless pit need for attention, gratification, entitlement, selfishness, self-importance, and fantasies about success. Since persons with NPD have no sense of right and wrong or the knowledge of good and evil, evil being the anti-thesis of good, NPD per se can be considered evil. Being so, the cure or treatment of this disorder is beyond the scope of neuroscience. This will make the NPD problem as a spiritual warfare in nature.

The war between good and evil which is the war between God and Lucifer is spiritual. If NPD is evil and it is so, as earlier explained, whether you will believe it or not, then it is connected to the spiritual warfare between good and evil.

The last days being referred to in 2Timothy 3, is not connected to the Second Coming of Christ. The last days technically refers to the last days of the times of the Gentiles. (Luke 21:24) which is now, our present time. Biblical history will tell us that the times of the Gentiles started in 64 AD when the people of Israel/Jews were temporarily set aside by God as announced by Apostle Paul in Acts 28:28:

“Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.”
— Acts 28:28 (KJ2000)

Today is 2021 and from 64 AD to the present time is about 2,000 years. From Adam to the present time is about 6,000 years.

Not many theologians will disagree that the estimated time for the existence of mankind is 7,000 years (7days of the Lord is 7,000 years to man) which is inclusive of the millenial (a thousand year) reign. If this is taken to be true, then there us no doubt that the last days being referred to in 2Timothy 3 is already the present time.

Now, how do we understand the words of 2Timothy3?

This is the only occurence of this prophecy. We can not therefore get any pre-contextual interpretation/meaning in the other pages of the Holy Scripture. However, since the prophecy is referring to the present times described to be perilous, it is perhaps, quite reasonable to understand it in the light of what is currently happening right now.

Take the words of 2Timothy 3:1-5 and compared with the following publication of mayo clinic, we can probably deduced strongly that growing problem relating to NPD is in effect the fulfillment of the prophecy.

Signs and symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder and the severity of symptoms vary. People with the disorder can:

Have an exaggerated sense of self-importance

Have a sense of entitlement and require constant, excessive admiration

Expect to be recognized as superior even without achievements that warrant it

Exaggerate achievements and talents

Be preoccupied with fantasies about success power, brilliance, beauty or the perfect mate

Believe they are superior and can only associate with equally special people

Monopolize conversations and belittle or look down on people they perceive as inferior

Expect special favors and unquestioning compliance with their expectations

Take advantage of others to get what they want

Have an inability or unwillingness to recognize the needs and feelings of others and believe others envy them

Behave in an arrogant or haughty manner, coming across as conceited, boastful and pretentious
Insist on having the best of everything — for instance, the best car or office

At the same time, people with narcissistic personality disorder have trouble handling anything they perceive as criticism.

Lucifer who has been there since the beginning of time, from the creation of Adam and Eve to the present time is the only being that has a full grasp of the old sinful nature of man. Therefore, he is a master psychologist and neuroscientist and given his knowledge of the development of mankind in the last 6,000 years, he will be able to mastermind the development of this Narcissistic Personality Disorder that will lead to the fulfillment of 2 Timothy 3:1-5. NPD is part of Lucifer's machinations.

Please consider.