Although it comes disguised as praise or a compliment, flattery is a dangerous trap. Because flattery strokes our need to feel good, we can become vulnerable to the desires and goals of the people who use it to manipulate us. The Bible indicates that the best defense against flattery is a secure relationship with the God who expresses his love for us, not by insincere flattery, but in truth. WHY SHOULD I AVOID FLATTERY - IT DOESN’T HURT ANYONE, DOES IT? 2 Samuel 17:11 . . . I think that you should personally lead the troops. Absalom allowed himself to be flattered into leading his army into a battle that led to his own destruction. Proverbs 29:5 . . . To flatter people is to lay a trap for their feet. Flattery is a dangerous trap, for it makes us vulnerable to the flatterer. Proverbs 7:6-23 . . . She seduced him with her pretty speech. With her flattery she enticed him. He followed her at once . . . He was like a bird flying into a snare, little knowing it would cost him his life. In its most dishonest and deceptive form, flattery is a lie that leads us into sin. HOW CAN I BE LESS VULNERABLE TO THE FLATTERY OF PEOPLE WHO REALLY JUST WANT TO USE ME? Luke 20:20-26 . . . They said, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right and are not influenced by what others think.” Jesus was careful to weigh the motives of those who sought to destroy his ministry through flattery. 1 Thessalonians 2:4-5 . . . Never once did we try to win you with flattery. Paul refused to use flattery as a manipulative tool to spread the gospel and thus became less vulnerable to flattery himself.
Posted on: Fri, 19 Jul 2013 22:13:56 +0000
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