Difficult Relationships - Christian Wisdom for Life's Toughest Ties Kris Reece Ministries

If you want to learn how to identify and deal with all the difficult people in your life, be sure to grab a copy of my Toxic People Survival Guide
https://krisreece.com/toxic-people-survival-guide

Does it seem like the narcissist in your life just skates by and gets away with their manipulative, destructive behavior, almost like they're somehow immune to justice?
Today, I want to give you the clarity you're craving about why God's justice might seem a little slow, and EXACTLY how God deals with issues of pride, manipulation, and deceit.
 My friend, stick with me, because by the end of our time today, your wavering faith WILL be strengthened.
 There's a character in the bible that always reminds me of God's justice. Perhaps you know her from the books of 1 and 2 Kings. She was a Phoenician princess who was the wife of Ahab, king of Israel. And her name was Jezebel.
 Jezebel was a spiteful, wicked, manipulative, malicious woman who presented as charming and attractive, and who at times played victim.
 Sound like anyone you know?
 Narcissists are notorious for putting on the performance of being everything you need. But beneath the surface, they are self-centered, immature, entitled brats who will stop at nothing to get what they want.  
 Jezebel was infamously known for promoting the worship of Baal, a Canaanite deity, in Israel, directly opposing the worship of God. She was also famous for her role in the persecution of the prophets of God, including the murder of Naboth, simply because her husband wanted his vineyard.
 In our lives, she's the mother who seems to get away with her constant abuse. She's the woman at the office who has the boss fooled into thinking she’s a team player. 
 But SHE doesn't need to be a SHE. 
 This Jezebel behavior is no respecter of genders. In fact, there are some predictable patterns that I want you to start looking out for--patterns you might otherwise miss if you're focused on the fear and frustration.  
 For starters: God will not tolerate idolatry and falsehood.
 Jezebel's promotion of Baal worship and her attempts to suppress the worship of God represent the pinnacle of how the narcissist operates. 
 Like Jezebel, narcissists create false images and exalt themselves at the expense of others  
God hates idol worship. Let's go back to Exodus 20. It says, ’You shall have no other gods before me.’ 
 The narcissist’s carved image is their mirror, because narcissists worship themselves. They exalt themselves and anything they desire above God.  
 Don't be fooled my friend, they're not content with just worshipping themselves. They need YOU to worship them too.
 Do you ever wonder why things always go south when you raise an issue or express a concern or a dislike about them? Their ego is as fragile as that mirror.  
 And just like God warned the people of Israel in Deuteronomy 6 not to follow other gods, just like He also sent warnings to Jezebel, He will also send warnings to the narcissist.  
 You can always expect God to be merciful and give us chance after chance.
 In His next phase, God will send warnings.
 Jezebel’s fate didn’t have to end the way it did. 
 Narcissists (and all of us for that matter) are given chance after chance, warning after warning to turn from our ways.    
 How many times did God have to tug on your heart before you answered the call?  
If we heed those warnings, it can lead to repentance and restoration.
If we ignore them, we head for destruction, full steam ahead.
And that's exactly what He did for Jezebel. Elijah and other prophets were sent to stand up to her

Resources mentioned in this podcast:

 FREE Toxic People Survival Guide
https://krisreece.com/toxic-people-survival-guide

Conquering Codependency Biblically Online Course
https://krisreece.com/conquering-codependency/

Master Powerful Tactics to Gain Control When Triggered into a Toxic Argument https://krisreece.com/live-workshop/

Am I a People Pleaser Quiz?  Discover Your Type.
https://krisreece.com/am-i-a-people-pleaser/
Want to learn how to identify and deal with all the difficult people in your life?  Be sure to grab your FREE Toxic People Survival Guide
https://krisreece.com/toxic-people-survival-guide

Being in a marriage with a narcissist can leave you feeling like you've got only two choices: resign yourself to a life of misery or pack your bags and leave.
 
Before you make a decision that will change your life forever, I want to talk to you about three categories to consider when contemplating a divorce from a narcissistic spouse.
 
With a multitude of twisted scriptures, it can be difficult to determine the most biblical action for your situation. So by the end of our time together, my hope is that you will have greater peace in understanding God's will for your situation, and that you will have an answer the question that I get asked more than any other question--will God let me leave my narcissistic spouse?
 
To do that we need to address three categories: the justified, the baseless, and the plausible.  
 
The first category is going to be the most important to dive into but be careful not to automatically assume that you fall into this category, as most don't.
Category #1: the Justified  
These are the people who have a justifiable reason to leave the marriage.
The first justification is found in Matthew 19:9 where it states that we shouldn't divorce except in cases of infidelity. So, the first justified reason is when there is betrayal in the marriage.
 
Infidelity is a justification for divorce.  You’re not in the wrong.  You’re not sinning against God.  You’re free to leave.  You don’t have to, but you’re free to.   
 
Within the church, that's where you'll find that justification stops—no infidelity, no recourse. But infidelity isn't the only time where God allows for divorce.  
 
The next is abandonment.1 Corinthians 7:15 states, But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you[b] to peace.
 
Yet another reason is neglect or abuse. Narcissistic relationships are defined by the selfishness of one partner at the expense of the other. So instead of using scriptures like "God hates divorce" as a weapon, perhaps we should acknowledge how much God hates abuse. In fact, that scripture "God hates divorce" was written because the men were abusing their roles and discarding their wives at will.  
 
So let's talk about this justification of abuse.  Abuse can be defined as extreme danger or harm; physically, mentally or emotionally.  
To tell a victim of abuse that he/she needs to stay and suffer further abuse is further victimizing the innocent.  
Some may say that "no divorce" is a hard and fast rule in scripture. And I agree that it should not be abused, but we also find in scripture where there are many cases where the 'rules' are broken: 
 
·      Jesus talking to the woman at the well
·      Healing on the sabbath
·      David eating the showbread
·      Instructing Ezekiel to eat unclean food
 
We even see Abigail going behind her husband Nebal’s back because of his destructive behavior, all to save life.  
 
And we have scriptures that appear to contradict themselves like, turn the other che

10 Clear Signs You've Been Abused by a Narcissist

FREE Toxic People Survival Guide
https://krisreece.com/toxic-people-survival-guide

Conquering Codependency Biblically Online Course
https://krisreece.com/conquering-codependency/