Flattery from the Evil One

Came across this verse today, and just think it is so appropriate in understanding what hit us with the narc.

I broke this down because it helped me see everything I encountered and glossed over.

Romans 16:17
a. I urge you, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned.
b. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites.
c. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.
d. Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.

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a. Narc always caused divisions. he tried to turn me away from just about everyone in my life, except for him. My only "friend" who tried to convince me I'd be better off by leaving my husband, when every other friend convinced me to work it out.
b. We all know that Narcs serve their own appetites.
c. The charm and charisma of the Narc that causes us normal people to get bonded to them. The flattery is deceitful because it always has an ulterior motive.
d. yes, everyone recognizes that we are good, obedient people - that is why the narc picked us. We do need to be able to recognize good, and not get overly influenced by false flattery or idealization.
And the last part reminds me of a recent post by Neverlookback...she wishes she remained innocent and never knew about gaslighting, projections, mirroring, devaluing, abuse, etc, etc. God also wants to protect us and keep us innocent from evil.

When I look back in my life, God prevented me sooooo many times from hooking up with N. But my persevering personality kept pushing forward to "make it work" with N. We need to become better at realizing when God is trying to protect us from evil and stop pushing ahead. Give up. And move in a different direction.

betteroff said something really insightful to me the other day. We are like toddlers running with scissors. We don't realize how dangerous these scissors are to us. And just like a loving parent needs to pry those scissors out of a toddler's hand to protect it.... God needs to pry that Narc out of our lives to protect us and to give us something better.