Short Thought - Beware of the Flatterers

"Young ladies, beware of being attracted to a man because

he makes you feel pleased with yourself.

If that is his main attraction, he is doubtless a

flatterer with little to recommend him.

That is a dangerous foundation for a

relationship of any sort."

There is a lie that is sometimes told that if a guy makes you feel good about yourself, then he's a great guy. The tragedy is that this kind of relationship is based upon flattery, not a solid give-and-take that is both strengthening and challenging. 

Flattery is a dangerous tool to those who wish to control others. In Proverbs it's called spreading a net for the person who is targeted. That means it's a trap meant to ensnare and control. In Daniel chapter 11 we read that a vile person, apparently the anti-Christ, will take the kingdom peaceably through flattery. 

Flattery is a very powerful method for gaining people's confidence and allegiance. It can be used to manipulate people into doing all kinds of things. The thing is, people who are easily susceptible to flattery are usually vain and self-focused. After all, if you find people welcome and delightful because they are always making you feel bigger and better than you are, then what does that say about you? Yet, this is a common ideology in our current society. We are told often and often to look for friends and relationships that serve us, that make us feel better about ourselves, that only support our goals and ideas - no matter how unattainable or even ungodly they are. 

Beware of flatterers, but also beware of becoming a person who likes to be flattered. 

Proverbs 28:23  He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.

Proverbs 29:5  A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.

Psalm 36:1-3  The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes. For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful. The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.