Motive of the speaker is the primary difference between a genuine compliment and flattery. A compliment is a polite way to acknowledge quality efforts and accomplishments of others, but flattery is false praise with the aim of gaining advantage for self. Those who flatter can say the exact same words as the one giving a compliment, but for them those words are sin. Words of flattery are an indication of a perverse and wicked heart. Because we do not even know the depths of depravity natural in human hearts, we may not even realise how commonly we employ nuances of flattery. God knows, and praise the LORD He is gracious to shine His truth to expose our need to repent and guides us in the way of truth.
People in positions of power are often targets of flattery, and King David was no exception. He wrote in Psalm 5:8-9, "Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make Your way straight before my face. 9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is destruction; their throat is an open tomb; they flatter with their tongue." Not all of David's enemies hurled spears of insults at him, but frequented his courts with smiles, gifts, and kind words. They were sprinkled amongst his countrymen and those who offered counsel. Spoken words are indicators of the condition of the heart, and David was not ignorant or immune to flattery. Because these verbal bribes posed a danger to upholding righteous judgment, David was on his guard against receiving flattery.
As a man after God's own heart, David was one who valued integrity. He sought advisers who were faithful to God and honest with men. In Psalm 5 David described his enemies as without faithfulness and full of destruction or calamity. They spoke smooth, sweet words but David was savvy to their flattery, for he compared their breath to an open tomb full of rotting corpses. If they only suffered from halitosis it would be a small issue compared to their perverse motives and lies. Those who spoke flattery only pretended to be loyal and faithful friends, and by the grace and wisdom of God David was wise to it.
It is good for us to recognise flattery so that we will resist the subtle temptations to use it ourselves. Felix hoped for a monetary bribe from Paul, and as money greases the palm so flattery strokes our pride. God is good to free us from the sins of pride and flattery (along with all manner of wickedness), makes us increasingly sensitive to recognise it in ourselves, and provides power to refuse to use it. Our call is to edify and encourage others in truth, not to gain advantage for self through insincerity. I am glad God does not flatter men, for if He did we would still be bound in sins and heading for hell. Even the compliments we receive work humility in us, for all that is praiseworthy in us exists only by God's grace.
People in positions of power are often targets of flattery, and King David was no exception. He wrote in Psalm 5:8-9, "Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make Your way straight before my face. 9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is destruction; their throat is an open tomb; they flatter with their tongue." Not all of David's enemies hurled spears of insults at him, but frequented his courts with smiles, gifts, and kind words. They were sprinkled amongst his countrymen and those who offered counsel. Spoken words are indicators of the condition of the heart, and David was not ignorant or immune to flattery. Because these verbal bribes posed a danger to upholding righteous judgment, David was on his guard against receiving flattery.
As a man after God's own heart, David was one who valued integrity. He sought advisers who were faithful to God and honest with men. In Psalm 5 David described his enemies as without faithfulness and full of destruction or calamity. They spoke smooth, sweet words but David was savvy to their flattery, for he compared their breath to an open tomb full of rotting corpses. If they only suffered from halitosis it would be a small issue compared to their perverse motives and lies. Those who spoke flattery only pretended to be loyal and faithful friends, and by the grace and wisdom of God David was wise to it.
It is good for us to recognise flattery so that we will resist the subtle temptations to use it ourselves. Felix hoped for a monetary bribe from Paul, and as money greases the palm so flattery strokes our pride. God is good to free us from the sins of pride and flattery (along with all manner of wickedness), makes us increasingly sensitive to recognise it in ourselves, and provides power to refuse to use it. Our call is to edify and encourage others in truth, not to gain advantage for self through insincerity. I am glad God does not flatter men, for if He did we would still be bound in sins and heading for hell. Even the compliments we receive work humility in us, for all that is praiseworthy in us exists only by God's grace.
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