Category: Flattery

Consider Romans 16:17-18:

“Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. ¹⁸ For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.”

Paul here describes insidious actions by Christians.  They are insidious for two reasons. The first is that these actions are self-serving, and thus sinful. Those who engage in these behaviors have ulterior motives. They do not serve Jesus, but rather their own belly.  They are doing what they do because it serves their purpose. It is not to please Christ, to edify, to build up.  It is to accomplish their own desires, whatever those desires may be. Continue reading “Praise Or Flattery?” →

Social media has shown me that many people need the psychological boost that comments, likes and follows bring them on social media. Of course, there are other reasons for coveting such things (making money, spreading a message), but the primary one in non-commercial postings is validation and expressions of love and support.

This is not new! Paul addressed it several times in his letters. Consider his words to the Corinthians. “Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you? You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart” (2 Corinthians 3:1-3).

Efforts to gain support and sympathy, whether through social media, letters, emails, speeches, etc. ultimately have no legitimate merit. If such help in the area of acceptance, praise and support, they nevertheless have no bearing on the rightness or wrongness of the person being supported. Put it this way, an evil man can have as much such support as a good man. This is demonstrated clearly in politics. Partisanship will allow the politician to locate a group that is fully supporting him, while another group would not. Interestingly, on social media (Facebook, Instagram, etc.) online friends often even praise evil. Continue reading “The Need for Commendation (And Social Media)” →

“A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, and a flattering mouth works ruin” (Proverbs 26:28).

“Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful” (Proverbs 27:6).

Flattery, as seen by the texts above, is not a positive attribute. The idea is that flattering words are used to gain an advantage. They are not sincere. They can’t be trusted.  Flattery comes from a “lying tongue.” When one who is your “enemy” seeks to curry your favor or flatter, they do not have your best interests at heart. Continue reading “Paul’s Praise” →