Flattery
Summary
Insincere praise or servile behavior designed to gain favor, strongly condemned in Scripture as deceptive and destructive.
☩Definition and Condemnation
Flattery is servile, fawning behavior attended with obsequious compliances designed to gain a person's favor. Scripture consistently condemns it as dangerous: 'A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet' (Proverbs 29:5). The flatterer speaks with a double heart (Psalm 12:2-3), and their smooth words conceal hostile intent. Job refused to flatter: 'Let me not accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man' (Job 32:21-22).
☩Dangers of Flattery
Flattery leads to destruction. The strange woman with her 'flattering words' entices men to ruin (Proverbs 6:24, 7:5, 21). A flattering mouth works ruin (Proverbs 26:28). The one who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than the flatterer (Proverbs 28:23). Faithful wounds from a friend are better than the kisses of an enemy (Proverbs 27:6). Israel flattered God with their mouths while their hearts were far from Him (Psalm 78:36).
☩Biblical Examples
Scripture provides numerous examples of flattery. Absalom used flattery to steal the hearts of Israel (2 Samuel 15:2-6). The Herodians flattered Jesus, hoping to trap Him: 'Master, we know that thou art true' (Luke 20:21). Tertullus flattered Felix while prosecuting Paul (Acts 24:2-4). Daniel warns of a king who shall come in peaceably and obtain the kingdom by flatteries (Daniel 11:21, 34). Paul testified that he never used 'flattering words' (1 Thessalonians 2:4-6).
