The Flattering Tongue-

           9-August 2011 

           Flattery is to compliment excessively and often insincerely given, especially in order to win favor. Sincerity is sorely lacking in human relations today. Flattery or sweet talk, which  is another way that the tongue can be used for evil. People flatter continually starting from home to workplace.In the work place and offices  people continually involved in internal politics and flattering in order to seek favour or, to get promoted to higher level.

           Flattery is also a sin of the tongue. The Bible speaks of flattery as a characteristic of the wicked and of a sinful person. People from different walks of life trying to keep a record of the flattering speeches and conversations. Flattery is just a form of lying, and it has no place in the life of a Christian. It is an another produce of the misuse of the tongue. 

“With flattery he will corrupt …. When they fall, they will receive a little help, and many who are not sincere will join them. Daniel 11:32-34 

We are encountering people with flattering nature  everywhere, speaking something  before us  and contrarily with others, in other occasions, in order to please others or to fulfill their  self -centered wishes.

“...Who speak peace to their neighbors, But evil is in their hearts.” Psalm 28:3

“ A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.” Proverbs 26:28

“Those who flatter their neighbors are spreading nets for their feet”. Proverbs 29:5.

         Do not trust a person if he / she speak too sweetly with you, for no reason and pray to God to give you strength to resist them.

“With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him” Daniel 11:32

          Speaking sweetly in the face of others and backbiting behind them is sin. This sort of personality ruins the inter -personal relationships.

 “A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.” Proverbs 20:19; “May the LORD silence all flattering lips and every boastful tongue—Psalm 12:3

           With God given wisdom and  Grace beware of insincere people and their praise to raise  our hopes but based on  unfounded or deceitful  representations.

         If you have a clean heart and no  grudge  or feeling of resentment stored – you can say  

 “I will show no partiality, nor will I flatter anyone; for if I were skilled in flattery, 
   my Maker would soon take me away. Job 32:21-22;

 “Lead me, LORD, in your righteousness…. make your way straight before me. Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with malice. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongues they tell lies.” Psalm 5:8-9; 

              “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart,

                and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart.

               For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Luke 6:45

Ghat Road to Kodaikanal - Tamil Nadu

“Flattery is the worst 

         and 

 fastest way of showing 

      our esteem”