The Danger of Christian Narcissism

In the digital age, social media has become one of the most influential forces shaping personal identity, values, and behavior. While these platforms can be used for godly encouragement and meaningful connection, they also present a unique temptation of cultivating a life centered on self. Scripture warns repeatedly against the dangers of pride, vanity, and self-exaltation. These are attitudes that can easily flourish in a culture built around likes, follows, and personal branding.

This may sound strange, but there are a lot of Christian narcissists. A narcissist is someone characterized by a grandiose sense of self-importance, a deep need for attention and admiration, and a lack of empathy for others. People with narcissistic traits often exploit others, believe they are superior, and are sensitive to criticism. Their behavior can negatively impact their relationships. How can Christianity and narcissism coexist? The unfortunate answer is that Christ must be sidelined, and self-importance must be put in the spotlight.

This blog post examines the dangers of narcissism on social media through a biblical lens and calls believers to pursue humility, purity, and Christ-centered identity.

1. The Allure of Self-Exaltation

Social media invites users to showcase curated versions of their lives. While not inherently sinful, this environment can subtly encourage the desire to be admired, envied, or praised, which are classic marks of pride.

The Bible warns plainly about the pursuit of self-glory:

• Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips (Proverbs 27:2).

• Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself (Philippians 2:3).

Narcissism flourishes on attention. As one becomes used to affirmations—likes, shares, comments—the desire for another dose of validation intensifies. It's akin to a drug, with the addict seeking the next high. What starts as simple posting can gradually shift into self-promotion. Jesus addressed this directly when He said, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted" (Luke 18:14).  The problem isn't visibility—it's motivation. When the longing for admiration surpasses the desire for God’s glory, spiritual decline has already set in.

2. Sensuality and the Erosion of Modesty

Another pitfall common on social media is the use of sensual or immodest images to gain attention. Let’s be transparent for a moment. Social media is nothing other than a grand marketing scheme to make money off of users, and sensuality sells. Sensuality is  provoking lust or using one’s body to attract admiration. It is condemned throughout Scripture.

Paul warns, “Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy” (Romans 13:13). “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality” (1 Thessalonians 4:3).

Social platforms normalize immodesty as a means of self-expression and personal empowerment. But in reality, such practices often fuel pride, encourage others to sin, and shift value from spiritual identity to physical desirability.

The biblical call is clear. 1 Peter 3:3–4 says, “Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.” When Christians adopt sensuality as a tool for attention, the line between honoring God and elevating self doesn’t just become dangerously thin, it becomes erased. 

To duck face, or not duck face, that is the question. Duck face? Yes! Duck face. “Duck face" is a term for a facial expression where the lips are pursed and pushed forward, resembling a duck's bill, often made in selfies. Pouting can make lips appear fuller and cheekbones more defined, while sucking in cheeks can make the face appear thinner.

This pose aims to appear more flirtatious or sexually suggestive, occasionally imitating a kiss. Its popularity is frequently fueled by celebrity culture, and it was once prevalent among Millennials. Nowadays, many people consider it creepy and strange.

The Bible doesn’t explicitly say, “Thou shalt not duck face,” so it isn’t a sin. But I still can’t wrap my head around it. I’m totally cool with people sharing selfies or important moments. In fact, I sometimes enjoy them. One of my friends has a rule: if his kids steal his phone and take pics, they get posted on social media. The stuff they come up with is hilarious. My son and I took a special selfie at Gillette Stadium during the Tom Brady statue unveiling. But none of these were done to show off or make ourselves look sensual. We just wanted to share a special moment, and that can be done without following cultural trends or being overly sensual. 

3. Feeding the Ego Rather Than the Spirit

Narcissism is fundamentally about self—its desires, its image, and its promotion. Scripture consistently teaches that the flesh seeks self-exaltation, but the Spirit leads to humility, service, and Christlikeness. Paul wrote, “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit” (Romans 8:5). When believers feed their ego online, they are feeding the flesh, not the Spirit. The heart becomes preoccupied with metrics of worldly success—followers, views, comments—rather than spiritual growth or service to others.

Social media easily becomes a mirror we use to admire ourselves instead of a window through which Christ can shine. Jesus reminded His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me" (Luke 9:23). Self-denial and ego-feeding cannot coexist.

4. The Christian’s Call to Humility and Christlike Identity

The ultimate danger of social-media-driven narcissism is that it shapes identity. Rather than anchoring worth in Christ, users become defined by online approval—or the lack of it. But Scripture calls believers to root identity entirely in the Lord. “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:3). 

A Christian’s value is not established by appearance, performance, personality, or popularity—it is secured by Christ’s finished work. Paul taught, “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— that, as it is written, ‘He who glories, let him glory in the Lord’” (1 Corinthians 1:30-31).

Humility is not thinking poorly of oneself—it is thinking rightly about oneself in relation to God. It is living to magnify Him, not ourselves.

5. Using Social Media in a God-Honoring Way

While social media carries dangers, it can also be used for good when approached with biblical discernment. Consider these principles:

• Post with purpose, not for attention.

• Promote Christ, not self.

• Pursue modesty, not sensuality.

• Cultivate humility, not ego.

• Build others up, not yourself.

• Guard your heart, for out of it flow the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23).

Believers must regularly ask: “Does this post point to Christ or to me?” “Am I seeking affirmation from God or from strangers online?” These questions help anchor our hearts in what truly matters.

Conclusion: Social media is a powerful tool, but like all tools, it can be used for righteousness or for sin. The dangers of narcissism, self-promotion, sensuality, vanity, and ego are not new problems; they simply have new platforms. Scripture calls Christians to resist these temptations, pursue humility, and reflect Christ in every sphere of life, including the digital one.

May our online presence be marked not by self-exaltation, but by the beauty of a life transformed by the grace of God.