Keep in mind that there's a difference between an insidious person and a pernicious one. A person who is insidious produces harm in a stealthy manner (usually considered crafty or sly) while a pernicious person causes a lot of harm in a subtle, yet identifiable, way.
We sometimes refer to things as being pernicious, such as alcohol, cigarettes and drugs. In several recent news reports, the Coronavirus has been called a "pernicious and silent enemy." But I'm talking about people, not things. In Shakespeare's writings, pernicious people were highly injurious, destructive, wicked or deadly. In the Bible, pernicious ways have the appearance of being not overtly or openly dangerous, but all the while the perniciousness is undermining spiritual health and well being.
I have certainly come in contact with people who have a pernicious nature -- sometimes coming closer than I wish I would have. Often times, it's not a characteristic that is easily identified early on. However, over time it becomes more clear. It can occur in both personal and business relationships and be highly destructive on many levels. So, how can you begin the process of identifying potentially pernicious people in your life? Look for these seven traits of a highly pernicious person.
- They find fault with everything. Pernicious people make it their job to find and point out the flaws in everything and everyone around them. They persistently make people aware of their shortcomings, and have no problem making sure other people are aware of your shortcomings.
- They complain continually. Pernicious people feel the need to point out what's wrong with the people and situations around them. In fact, they feel it’s their job to incessantly remind everyone. They tend to do this in a non-refined, non-gentle manner.
- They blame everyone else. Pernicious people believe that they are innocent victims of circumstances (always) and that nothing bad is ever their fault. They work into their conversations and complaints a lot of blaming and finger-pointing -- often using vague insinuations, misleading justifications, and confrontational statements in an effort to make others believe that they are not responsible for anything that happens.
- They hold unrealistic expectations. Pernicious people often feel that things are not as they should be around them. They believe that others could be doing much more to anticipate their needs and make them happy. However, they will never be happy... no matter what... so their unrealistic expectations can go on forever. Oh, and they'll make sure that you know you're not meeting their expectations.
- They make unreasonable demands. When you fail to meet the wildly unrealistic and unspoken expectations of a pernicious person, in addition to blaming and complaining they will make maliciously unreasonable demands. Since they believe they're not accountable for anything, they feel that they can demand that others take responsibility for everything -- especially their hurt feelings, disappointment and overall dissatisfaction with life.
- They resist and deny all change. They refuse to acknowledge requests from others for a change that would alter their reality. The pernicious person believes that they are fine just the way they are. If they're pressed to change, they'll vigorously go on the attack -- using any past incident they can come up with (real or imagined) to verbally pummel and shame the person into giving up.
- They twist and misconstrue the words of others. Pernicious people believe that they are right and everyone else is wrong -- about everything. When persistent people confront a pernicious character, the pernicious person will work very hard to twist and misconstrue everything that they have to say. In other words, their reality is the ONLY reality... and they'll do whatever is necessary to protect and defend it. They'll turn accusations around and assign completely new meanings to common words and phrases.
From Him, Through Him, For Him (Romans 11:36),
Paul J. Staso
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Visit my YouTube channel -- https://www.youtube.com/user/pacetrek
Click on any of the links below to see some of my adventure photos:
- United States in 2006 (3,260 miles solo in 108 days at age 41)
- Montana in 2008 (620 miles solo in 20 days at age 43)
- Alaska in 2009 (500 miles solo in 18 days at age 44)
- Germany in 2010 (500 miles solo in 21 days at age 45)
- The Mojave Desert in 2011 (506 miles solo in 17 days at age 46)
- Various Photos From Mileposts Gone By
- Students Worldwide Who Ran With Me Virtually
- Roadside Sights From My Running Adventures
- Some Cycling Moments From The Past
