By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo
Psalm 36:2 “For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.” – KJV
Psalm 78:36-37 “But then they would flatter him with their mouths, lying to him with their tongues; their hearts were not loyal to him, they were not faithful to his covenant.” – NIV
Proverbs 29:5 “Those who flatter their neighbors are spreading nets for their feet.” – NIV
To flatter is to give excessive, insincere praise to someone usually to impress them win some favour. Flattery is deception. It portrays a nice picture from the words they speak and facial expressions, but inwardly they are selfish and deadly. Those who believe these flatteries get very disappointed when reality comes out at the end and they discover they were deceived. It hurts deeply.
The above scriptures show that people can flatter themselves, God and others. Self flattery is praise of oneself out of pride of status or achievement. Flattering God is lying to Him with praise in your lips yet your heart is far away and not loyal to Him. Flattering others is insincere exaggerated praise of others even when in your heart you know the truth. We are urged to speak the truth in love, not cover up and flatter.
Either of all that is deception. God looks into the heart, beyond what people speak with their mouth and act out. He calls us to live in sincerity of heart, word and deed. Be yourself, speak the truth in love and respect. Seek favour from God. By flattering, you lie. Flattery is destructive and betrays friendships and relationship with God. It’s not sustainable.
Ephesians 4:15 “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.”
Shalom children of God.