Today, the people of Bethel ask if they should continue mourning and fasting each summer on the anniversary of the Temple’s destruction. Notice the Lord’s stunning response through Zechariah the prophet. “Say to all your people and your priests, ‘During these seventy years of exile, when you fasted and mourned in the summer and in early autumn, was it really for me that you were fasting? And even now in your holy festivals, aren’t you eating and drinking just to please yourselves? (Zechariah 7:5–6, NLT) God exposes their narcissistic religiosity and utter lack of relationship with the One they claim to worship.
The human heart often expresses its greatest degree of self-gratification through religious works. I am reminded of a highly religious narcissist who prayed to God, listing his religious works for the sake of his gratification. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ (Luke 18:11–12, NKJV)
Here, we see one of the hallmarks of a religious narcissist. They love on themselves by comparing themselves to others whom they do not hesitate to judge as less righteous than they are. This judging of others, according to the standard of themselves, reveals they are very religious. Still, they are void of a relationship with God as God is far from such pride. They are simply doing what they do to feel good about themselves. Notice what God says to such arrogant, self-absorbed religious people—You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. (Romans 2:1, NLT) Religious narcissists will feign a relationship with God through their religiosity, knowing deep down inside they are not as righteous as they make themselves out to be.
May we all be honest and humble before God, not comparing ourselves with others to glory in our works. May we love God and glory in God who conforms us to His image by His Spirit, who produces the true fruits of righteousness. ...that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:10–11, KJV)
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Zechariah 1-7.