One of the most defining traits of a narcissist is grandiosity — an exaggerated sense of self-importance. Narcissists don’t just want to be seen, they demand to be admired. They inflate their role in every situation, rewrite reality to keep themselves center stage, and expect others to play along.

For Mark Anthony Stephens, grandiosity isn’t occasional — it’s constant.

What Grandiosity Looks Like in Mark

• “Victory in Marriage” Post
  Mark proclaimed himself a leader and victim all at once, spinning a story where he was the centerpiece of faith, ministry, and betrayal. Instead of accepting responsibility, he cast himself as the “man of God” wronged by everyone around him.
• The Book That Never Comes
  For more than two years, Mark has claimed a book is coming “soon” that will reveal the truth. It’s always just around the corner — a fantasy of future importance that never materializes. Narcissists often use these grand promises to keep others hooked, while delivering nothing.
• Spiritual Posturing
  Mark regularly positions himself as a prophet-like figure, called to lead men to God. Yet his words and actions — contempt for courts, abuse toward family, failure to support his own children — stand in stark contrast to the humility and accountability that faith demands.
• Victim as Hero
  Even in his failures, Mark casts himself as larger than life. He’s not just struggling; he’s being persecuted. He’s not just behind on child support; he’s the martyr of a corrupt system. Grandiosity isn’t always about glory — sometimes it’s about inflating victimhood to seem more important than it is.

The Reality Behind the Mask

Grandiosity is a smokescreen. It hides the truth: Mark isn’t building ministries, writing books, or leading anyone toward God. He’s dodging accountability while inflating his image. And worse, he’s teaching his children that bluster can replace responsibility.

As long as Mark lives inside his fantasy of self-importance, he’ll never face the reality of the destruction left behind. Grandiosity makes him feel powerful, but it makes everyone around him feel small, dismissed, and silenced.

This is the first mask removed: Grandiosity.
Next, we’ll examine the narcissist’s obsession with fantasy — and how Mark’s dream worlds keep him from ever showing up in reality.