Have you ever encountered someone who claims to be a Christian but uses the Bible to justify their wrongdoings and abusive behaviors? You might be dealing with a narcissist, and sadly, they can be very hard to identify. They would twist the meaning behind Bible verses in a way that only favors them. In this article, we will examine 18 Bible verses that narcissists commonly use to hide behind.
Ephesians 5:22
“Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.”
In abusive marriages, narcissists use this verse to justify their controlling and abusive behaviors towards their spouse. They might quote this verse to demand their spouse to fulfill their roles that only serve the narcissist’s needs, using the name of the Lord as a guise for their self-serving agenda.
Proverbs 31:10-11
“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.”
When twisted or misinterpreted, this verse can put unrealistic expectations on wives or women. Narcissists use this verse to pressure their spouses to strive for perfection in ways that only serve their interests.
Proverbs 22:15
“Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.”
Narcissists place the focus on the “rod of discipline,” claiming that severe punishment is necessary to correct a child’s behavior. This creates an unsafe environment where children learn to fear rather than trust their parents.
Colossians 3:18
“Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.”
This is another verse that narcissists like to use to demand unquestioning obedience from their spouse. They deliberately ignore the following verse, Colossians 3:19, commanding husbands to love their wives and not be harsh with them.
Proverbs 1:7
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Narcissists like to use this verse whenever someone challenges their decisions or authority, labeling others as fools for not agreeing with them. They use this verse to portray themselves as wise, and those who disagree with them are foolish.
Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
This verse is one of the verses that narcissists often like to twist to make others feel inadequate while elevating themselves. The feeling of unworthiness that the other person feels keeps them in a state of self-doubt, allowing the narcissist to gain dominance and control.
1 Timothy 2:12
“I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet.”
This verse is sometimes used to enforce strict gender roles wherein women are not given the authority to lead or speak. Narcissists use this verse to undervalue a woman’s thoughts or opinions, creating an environment where women are expected to remain passive and obedient.
Luke 17:3
“So watch yourselves. If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them.”
Narcissists often use this verse to guilt-trip others into forgiveness without genuine repentance. They misuse it to create a cycle where they repeatedly harm others, offer insincere apologies, and demand forgiveness without the intention to change their harmful ways.
Hebrews 13:17
“Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.”
This verse, when twisted by narcissists, endangers the well-being and autonomy of those under their authority. Narcissistic leaders may use this to manipulate others to follow them regardless of the consequences. They will make it seem like questioning them is equivalent to defying God’s will.
Exodus 20:12
“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”
Ahh, the favorite verse that narcissistic parents like to use to demand respect and obedience from their children regardless of their own behavior. Emphasizing the word “honor,” these narcissistic parents insist that their children should always do what they say, and disobedience means violating the divine commandment.
Matthew 7:1
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”
Narcissists avoid accountability at all costs, twisting the meaning of “judge not” to discourage others from calling out their wrongdoing. When someone confronts them about their harmful actions, they use this verse to imply that any form of criticism is wrong based on Christian beliefs.
Malachi 2:16
“The man who hates and divorces his wife,” says the Lord, the God of Israel, “does violence to the one he should protect,” says the Lord Almighty. “So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful.”
To trap their spouses in an abusive marriage, narcissists hide behind this verse to instill fear, guilt, or shame in their spouse, suggesting that leaving the marriage would be a grave sin against God.
Genesis 3:16
To the woman he said, “I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”
Narcissists would deliberately emphasize the phrase “he will rule over you” so they can have full dominance and control over their spouse. They would even insist that their authority comes from God and should never be questioned.
Romans 13:1
“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”
Narcissists love to be in positions of power, and they would misuse this verse to assert their authority and demand obedience. They would claim that their authority is a blessing from God, and anyone who questions it is rebelling against divine order.
Titus 2:5
“To be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.”
This is another verse that narcissists misuse to confine women to traditional gender roles. They would often emphasize the phrase “to be subject to their husbands” to create an environment where the narcissist’s needs and desires would always come first.
Ephesians 6:1
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”
Narcissists demand obedience and often use this verse to insist that their children should obey them no matter what. They focus only on the child’s duty to obey, ignoring the consequent verse, Ephesians 6:4, which tells parents to “not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”
Matthew 5:39
“But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.”
This verse becomes dangerous when twisted by narcissists as it encourages submission to abuse. When narcissists misuse this verse, they could use it to justify their harmful actions and convince others to endure mistreatment.
Philippians 2:3
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”
The true intent of this verse is to promote humility and selflessness. However, narcissists may twist this message to pressure others to conform to their own standards of humility. They could use the verse to accuse others of being selfish to mask their own self-centered behavior.
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Vidivir is a dedicated high school teacher and a loving mother of three. With over a decade of experience as a blogger and article writer, she has honed her craft in storytelling. As a devoted church lector and servant of God, she combines her passion for writing with her faith, aiming to inspire others through her words.