Definition of flattery (Merriam-Webster on-line dictionary)
Insincere or excessive praise.
He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail. Job 17:5 (KJV)
I have a reason for writing about flattery. For some time I was in a position where I was around a lady who used flattery more than anybody I have ever known. When I first met her, I was impressed with her compliments...but as time went on, it became very clear that a lot of what she was saying was just to impress. I feel the Lord leading me to share this with you so that you can learn from my mistake. I've learned that I can be very naive about a lot of things. Not a trait that I am very proud of, but...that's me!!! I can immediately think of two different people who I allowed to convince me that they were my "friend"....when in reality it takes so much more to be a friend than what we shared.
I was searching for some scripture references the other night, and came across Bible verses that deal with flattery. If the Lord saw fit to inspire scripture regarding this trait in the Bible...then it has to be important. When we allow ourselves to get drawn in by all the sweet talk...the compliments...it can sometimes lead to other things happening that might be totally out of character for us....or it might be a flaw in our character that is revealed that we need to ask the Lord to help us with. We also need to be aware that this person might be very kind to your face...but are taking what you shared with them in confidence and sharing it with others. In my case...I was so drawn in by who I thought was a friend....that what I shared with her "in confidence".....was nothing but gossip.
And...the Lord dealt with me over that and I was taught a very valuable lesson!! I even went back and asked this lady's forgiveness for gossiping...now, that wasn't an easy thing for me to do!!
Even my best friend, the one I trusted completely, the one who shared my food, has turned against me. Psalm 41:9 (NLT)
So...if this has happened to you, then I know exactly how you feel. If you are going thru something similar right now....try to get out of the situation. I told a friend the other day....there are some people we can be "friendly" with...but not "friends". God wants us to love one another...be kind to each other...and to hold each other up. There is not a thing in the world wrong with being complimentary to each other...but my prayer is that God will give each of us the discernment to know the difference between a true compliment....and nothing but flattery!!!
Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy. Proverbs 27:6 (NLT)
In His love...and with mine!!!
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Kind words are like honey—
sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
Proverbs 16:24