I gravitate toward this type of analysis (from experience), and would appreciate being included on a ping list, if you manage one.
I would love to discuss a disagreement I have with Dr. Ray, who says;
“he is deeply (but discreetly) in love with himself (narcissism) so secretly despises others”
I say no. The Narcissist actually HATES HIMSELF - and it is from this self-loathing that his hate for others derives.
If for no other reason:
Pro 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so [is] he
Also, regarding demon possession, I’m certain in most cases, it is true that:
“1. Warped, distorted character; hard egoism, uncongenial dark nature”
But I think it is important to differentiate, so as not to miss (and be deceived),
Narcissists are often charming. That is part of the mask they wear, to attract narcissistic “supply”.
The differential diagnosis btw Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) and Borderline PD is often made by experienced mental health clinicians on *just that*:
NPD’s are a bit more charming & sociable than BPD’s.
0 is a PERFECT example of NPD.
“The Narcissist actually HATES HIMSELF - and it is from this self-loathing that his hate for others derives.”
Spirited: Yes he hates himself, more precisely, something about himself which he perceives as deficient. This comes about because he (i.e., Cain) has compared ‘self’ to ‘other’ (i.e.,Abel)who appears to have been more greatly blessed (by God) than “self.”
To understand Cain’s hatred of self think of an ungrateful, selfish child who ‘hates’ and disrespects the gift he has been given because he believes he has a right to something better which has unfairly been given to Abel instead.
Though it seems paradoxical it is nevertheless true that underlying hatred of self is preference for one’s self to God and all others (narcissism). This reveals that ‘self,’ the self-deserving, autonomous, imperial “I” deserves something more and this is the seed of envy.
If ‘self’ is primary then ‘self’ deserves everything it can get. The Bible however, does not argue from a human-self point of view but from a thoroughly theocentric worldview in which mankind deserves nothing.