Have you ever wondered what happens when a narcissist targets a Christian? You’ve likely been hurt, manipulated, and maybe even discarded, and now you’re left wondering, “Are they just going to get away with it?” My friend, stick with me because, in this post, I’m going to walk you through the three phases that every narcissist goes through when they dare to attack one of God’s children. We’ll cover what God is going to do to intervene and what YOU can do to ensure His justice is served promptly. I assure you, they will not be able to handle what comes next….

There are three phases you can count on whenever dealing with a narcissist. These phases aren’t just predictable—they’re inevitable. But just as sure as the narcissist’s destruction comes, so does God’s intervention, and ultimately, His justice.

Narcissists are master manipulators and deceivers, agents of chaos who thrive on sowing confusion and destruction. It’s no surprise that their main targets are often Christians. Why? Because the loving, compassionate, and forgiving nature of a Christian makes it easy for a narcissist to exploit. But it goes deeper than that—they are being used by Satan to distract, derail, and discourage you from stepping into the fullness of what God has for your life.

So, stop being surprised that you’re a target. But don’t be afraid, because your weapons are far greater than theirs—if you know how to use them. We’ll get to that soon.

Phase 1: Narcissistic Destruction

First, understand that the narcissist’s plan always follows the same pattern. Phase one? They zero in on their target. Whether their goal is your destruction or simply their gain, the strategy is identical—they present themselves as everything you’ve ever wanted.

The ideal parent, the perfect partner—the answer to your prayers.

This is all designed to weaken your defenses, and it works. You let your guard down, you let them in. Sure, you see red flags, but you convince yourself it’s just a mistake or something you can work through together. And they’ll certainly give you that impression.

But soon enough, the mask begins to slip. They can’t keep up the façade and inconsistencies start to show. You start questioning their behaviors, and their motives, and that’s when things shift. Suddenly, you’re either hit with an overwhelming dose of love-bombing, or they play the victim. Both tactics are meant to cloud your vision—to distract you from the real issues.

And isn’t that exactly how Satan operates? Everything is a carefully crafted illusion—beautiful at first, but dark and destructive beneath the surface. When you see the truth, you’re entangled in the web of confusion, manipulation, gaslighting, and invalidation.

Gaslighting and narcissistic abuse recovery is often a long and painful journey, but it starts with understanding their tactics. Here is where you begin questioning your sanity, doubting your worth. You start feeling guilty for how you reacted to their emotional abuse, ashamed of behaviors you’re not proud of, and left wondering if you’re the problem.

It’s like being caught in a tornado—everything seems calm at first, but the destruction becomes clear once you’re in the center of the storm. Narcissists twist your mind, emotions, and sense of self-worth, leaving a path of destruction that is both internal and external.

But remember, the narcissist cannot maintain their illusion forever. Eventually, the storm takes its toll. Their love-bombing fades, the manipulation intensifies, and the gaslighting becomes unbearable. You’re left feeling trapped, confused, and powerless. They don’t just want to break your heart—they want to break your spirit.

Phase 2: God’s Intervention

But don’t fret, my friend. This is where Phase 2 comes in—God’s intervention.

Imagine you’re in a burning building, frantically trying to put out the flames with a tiny bucket of water. You’re doing everything you can, but the fire only grows stronger. Just when it seems like all hope is lost, the fire brigade barges in with powerful hoses and equipment.

But here’s the thing—you have to step back and let them do their job. If you keep trying to control the situation on your own, you’ll be standing in the way of your rescue.

That’s exactly how it is when God steps in. He is ready to extinguish the chaos the narcissist is bringing into your life, but sometimes, we delay His intervention by clinging to the wrong things—whether it’s trying to fix the narcissist, holding on to the idea of who we thought they were, or simply not surrendering the situation to Him fully.

One of my favorite stories of God’s intervention is the story of Joseph and his brothers (Genesis 37-50). Joseph was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers and endured false accusations and imprisonment, yet, God was with him every step of the way.

Eventually, Joseph rose to a position of great power and saved many lives, including his own family, during a famine. What his brothers intended for harm, God used for good (Genesis 50:20).

God WILL step in. The narcissist may think they have the upper hand, but this is where God’s intervention begins. The Bible is clear—God fights for His children (Exodus 14:14). While the narcissist wages war against your mind and spirit, God is already at work behind the scenes, protecting you.

Gaslighting and narcissistic abuse recovery require you to put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:11) and get out of His way. Retaliation, passive-aggressive digs, and holding onto hatred can delay God’s intervention. It’s not easy, but this is the time to surrender the battle to Him. Letting go doesn’t mean giving up—it means trusting God to fight for you in the spiritual realm.

The narcissist wants you to feel powerless, but God wants you to back off, suit up, and stand still. He WILL fight this battle.

Phase 3: God’s Justice

So what happens when the fire gets put out? When God intervenes, are you ready for Phase 3—God’s justice?

Think of it like a wildfire. The flames consume everything in their path, and when God steps in to douse the flames, the fire doesn’t just stop—it reveals what’s been left behind. This is where justice comes in. Once the fire is out, everything that was hidden in the chaos is exposed. The lies, manipulation, and damage—it all comes to light.

Galatians 6:7 reminds us, “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” The narcissist cannot escape God’s justice. While they may think they’ve won, their lies and manipulation will come back to haunt them. Their attempts to destroy you will lead to their self-destruction.

Your job is to let God’s justice unfold. You may want to rush it, but Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.” God’s timing is perfect, even when it doesn’t match ours.

Trust Him to bring justice in His time, and in the meantime, allow Him to do His work within you. Psalm 147:3 reminds us that God “heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Gaslighting and narcissistic abuse recovery takes time, but God’s healing will prepare you for the justice He brings.

Ultimately, surrendering the battle to God is key. Exodus 14:14 reminds us that “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” When you trust God to fight for you, you create the space for His justice to unfold in the right way, at the right time.

Don’t let the enemy tempt you to take matters into your own hands. Let God do what only He can do. His justice will be served, and what the narcissist meant for evil, God will use for your good (Genesis 50:20).

So, my friend, stand firm. God’s intervention is coming, and His justice will prevail.

If you want to learn more about what God will do to the narcissist when He’s had enough, check out this episode next, and be sure to grab your Free Narcissist Survival Guide here.