Flattery

A very good morning to you! It is Tuesday morning, the 26th of April, the year 2022. And this is your friend, Angus Buchan with a thought for today.

If we go to Psalm 12 and I am reading from verse 1:

“Help,Lord, for the godly man ceases!
For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men.
They speak idly everyone with his neighbour;
With flattering lips and a double heart they speak.”

Flattery is a dangerous thing, we are not supposed to flatter people. We are supposed to encourage people, even rebuke people, in love if necessary, but never flatter anyone - It doesn’t help at all. The great writer, Oswald Chambers, who wrote that amazing devotional, My Utmost for His Highest, said he took no notice of criticism and he took no notice of flattery. He treated them both as the same enemy. Don’t listen to flattery, it will not help you one little bit! Concentrate on the truth, Jesus Christ is the Truth! He says to us clearly in John 17:17:

“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your Word is truth.”

Encourage people but never flatter them. I remember a dear friend of mine in Australia, who personally knew and grew up with one of the most famous actors in the business... And this man said to him once: “I want you to come with me to a premier.” They were holding a premier in Sydney, Australia. This American actor said, “I want you to walk ten paces behind me on the red carpet when all the paparazzi and the cameras are flashing and listen to what the people say”, so he did exactly that. As the actor arrived the people were screaming and shouting and saying, “Wow, it’s fantastic, what an amazing movie, what an amazing actor!” And then when he had walked passed, his friend, my friend, was walking 15 paces behind him and heard the people say, “You know something, he is not as tall as I thought he was.” and “He is starting to lose his hair...” and “He looks nothing like he did in the movie.” Flattery gets you nowhere.

Be truthful. Always be gentle with people and be loving. Most of all remember, sanctify one another with the truth of the Word of God. Have a wonderful day today as you encourage one another and flatter no man.

God bless you and goodbye.