WEEKLY MESSAGE

SUN, 08/06/25 - SAT, 14/06/25

ON THE MESSAGE THIS WEEK: BEWARE OF FLATTERY

KEY VERSE: “MAN IS TESTED BY THE PRAISE HE RECEIVES” (PROVERBS 27:21)

The English word flatterer comes from a French term that means ‘to pat, smooth, or caress’. So a flatterer is someone who will pat you on the back with one hand, and in some cases, knife you in the back with the other. Flattery is something a person will say to your face but will not say behind your back. It’s insincere praise from an insincere motive. And the Bible warns us to beware of it: ‘A flattering neighbour is up to no good; he’s probably planning to take advantage of you’ (see Proverbs 29:5).

Flatterers will do you no good. In fact, Solomon says that in the long run you’re better off with a person who will criticise you than a person who will flatter you. ‘He who rebukes a man will find more favour afterward than he who flatters with the tongue’ (see Proverbs 28:23).

When it comes to flattery you should always keep these two things in mind:

1) Give praise sparingly but sincerely, with nothing but the best in mind for the other person
2) Receive praise wisely, without taking yourself or the person giving the praise too seriously. Always remember that flattery was the weapon that Satan used to bring Adam and Eve down in the Garden of Eden: ‘You will be like God’ (see Genesis 3:5).

That’s why Solomon writes, ‘The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives.’ So, the question you should always ask yourself when someone praises you is this: does this make me more big-headed or more big-hearted?

Have a wholesome week in Jesus' Name, Amen.

_{(Article/ extract from ucb, wordfortoday)}

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Did you know: There are almost 20 different passages in the Bible where it is mentioned that we are God's people.

Ref: Jeremiah 32:38 / Ezekiel 14:11 / Zechariah 8:8 / 2 Corinthians 6:16 / Hebrews 8:10 / Ezekiel 11:20 / Ezekiel 37:23 / Jeremiah 7:23 / Jeremiah 31:33 / Ezekiel 37:27 / Jeremiah 31:1 / Revelation 21:3 / Exodus 6:7 / Leviticus 26:12 / Jeremiah 11:4 / Jeremiah 30:22 / Ezekiel 36:28.