Flattery
Just under YAHWEH, this fella is the love of my life, shhh; don’t tell Jade and Stella. His name is Jasher Yashar, and for some strange reason he came to me what seems like five minutes ago the size of the pictures on the left, and now “five minutes later”; He’s the size of a horse. Typically he has attitude and likes to talk back when he doesn’t get his way. Then there are other times when he comes over and lays his head on my lap like I’m the best thing since lamb rib bones. Unfortunately, it’s all just flattery because what he really wants is a treat. Sneaky little thing! However in his own way, I do know he does love me.
BTW, the 3rd picture is his facial expression after I had just reprimanded him for jumping on the couch, telling him to leave his sisters alone and to go lay down.
The topic of this devotional came to me more than 6 months ago. I have obviously delayed writing on it and I’m not sure if I have been disobedient to the RUACH or if I’m writing on it now as part of YAHWEH’S timing. While taking part in a recent discussion this topic came up, so I took it as a reminder that this had been previously on my heart. Around this time last year I was engaged in many conversations with someone who seemed to compliment things about me and the things I said. I don’t really have enough pride in me to believe the words spoken; in fact it was more annoying than anything as it didn’t seem quite sincere. I have always had an aversion to compliments whether sincere or insincere. My friend used to call me a “compliment flicker”; she said whenever I received one, I would always flick it off. I guess that’s still true to this day because even when I try to accept them with grace, I still cringe inside.
What’s both interesting and problematic is that in my mind compliments and flattery register as the same; when they are not. Oxford Languages Dictionary defines a compliment as: a polite expression of praise or admiration, or to: politely congratulate or praise (someone) for something. However the same dictionary defines flattery as: excessive and insincere praise, given especially to further one's own interests. Now that I’ve taken the time to actually define these terms, it’s no wonder why I internally and sometimes outwardly repel them. With regard to the word compliment, “praise and admiration belongs to YAHWEH” Isaiah 42:8 says: I am YAHWEH; that is my name. I yield my glory to no one else, nor my praise to any idol. (CJB). Flattery however is a whole other animal. Proverbs 29:5-6 says: A person who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his own steps. (CJB) Hebrew Strong’s defines the use of the word here as H2505 (Qal) which has many terms all synonymous with “assign, apportion, divide up or plunder but also says it is “to be smooth, slippery and deceitful”. Another use of the word flattery is in Proverbs 26:28 A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth causes ruin. Strong’s H2509 defines this word here again as smooth but is specific to “the tongue” an indication of using flattering language. The word flattery is found again in Psalm 78:36-37 Nevertheless they did flatter Him with their mouth, and they lied unto Him with their tongues. 37: For their heart was not right with Him, neither were they stedfast in His covenant. (KJV) While the word flatter is encompassed alone in verse 36, I cited 37 as well to show the reason for this flattery and who it was being performed on. What is interesting and because I love syntax and how words are used; this same verse in Psalm 78:36 CJB reads: But they tried to deceive Him with their words, they lied to Him with their tongues; 37: for their hearts were not right with Him, and they were unfaithful to His covenant; and in Psalm 78:36-37 Septuagint it beautifully reads: Yet they tempted and provoked The Most High EL, and kept not His testimonies. 37: And they turned back and broke covenant, even as also their fathers: they became like a crooked bow. Wow, I love that translation and both compared to the KJV does not conflict, because they embody the definitions of the actual word flattery used in the KJV.
Brothers and sisters, it is beyond me to understand why anyone would try to flatter our ELOHIM be it intentionally or unintentionally. In my 20’s when I decided to rededicate my life to YAHWEH and stop all my worldly foolishness, I joined a church that I was still a member of until 2020. The new members class taught us several things about being a member of the church one of which was to be baptized with the RUACH HA’KODESH (Holy Spirit) and to speak in tongues. It wasn’t the first time someone tried to get me to speak in tongues and it didn’t sit right with me as a teenager and it still did not as a young adult. However, I took part in the circle of babbling and I felt something, but it was not quite real to me, I was unsure of the gathering and I went home that night and prayed a prayer that I believe He placed on my heart and I still pray it to this day. I prayed that “YAHWEH (God at the time) would take me through the fire and give me the strength to look into the mirror, identify any faults that I have and to remove them from me. I prayed that He mold me in the way that He see’s fit, removing any insincerities from my heart so that my worship of Him is acceptable and true.“ When I prayed this prayer, how I felt after was much more real, serene and authentic than what I felt in the circle of babble. You see, I don’t want to even unknowingly worship my Father YAHWEH with a “flattering” kind of worship. We are called to John 4:24 God is spirit; and worshippers must worship him spiritually and truly. (CJB) and when I worship and praise Him with all of my heart I want to be sure that my heart is clean because He knows my heart better than me. Jeremiah 17:9 says 9: The heart is more deceitful than anything else and mortally sick. Who can fathom it? This is a well known verse and people tend to stop here, but reading further in verse 10 we see that YAHWEH Himself tell us that 10: I, YAHWEH, search the heart; I test inner motivations; in order to give to everyone what his actions and conduct deserve. I not only want, but I need for the motivations in my heart to pass YAHWEH’S test.
In conclusion brothers and sisters, my mishpachah; compliments and flattery is not what we should be seeking or desire. In the book of Daniel 11:31-33 it says: Armed forces will come at his order and profane the sanctuary and fortress. They will abolish the daily burnt offering and set up the abomination that causes desolation. 32: Those who act wickedly against the covenant he will corrupt with his blandishments, (other translations say seduce with flattery) but the people who know their ELOHIM will stand firm and prevail. 33: Those among the people who have discernment will cause the rest of the people to understand what is happening; nevertheless, for a while they will fall victim to sword, fire, exile and pillage. (CJB) These verses are speaking of the anti-mashiach or antichrist so it’s clear that satan uses flattery; it is a characteristic of satan that we should all guard against. It is this very verse that causes me to study in order to stay strengthened and knowledgeable in the word; fervently praying that I will be one of those with “discernment causing the rest of the people to understand what is happening.” It is my assertion that for anyone who truly loves me, they will admonish and reprove me with a righteous mindset and intention. We are not here to make each other feel good in the way that the world has deceivingly taught us that we should. It really is not “all about us” and the only validation we receive should come from YAHWEH alone. I see so many lost souls on social media apps doing unspeakable things begging for attention, and only unhealthy damaging attention is received that way. I am so grateful to my Father YAHWEH that He has surrounded me with a healthy Kingdom minded group of people who are not in my life to flatter me, but to help straighten my path. We care for each other’s souls and when someone does that, then they truly do love you. YESHUA said in John 15:12 This is my commandment, that there must be love among you, as I love you. We are to love one another as He loves us; and earlier where I cited Proverbs, flattery only “causes ruin”.
Shalom & Berekah!
Just a few supporting verses:
I am YAHWEH; that is my name. I yield my glory to no one else, nor my praise to any idol. (CJB).
-Isaiah 42:8
A person who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his own steps.
-Proverbs 29:5-6
A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.
-Proverbs 26:28
Nevertheless they did flatter Him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues. 37: For their heart was not right with Him, neither were they stedfast in His covenant. (KJV)
-Psalm 78:36-37
But they tried to deceive him with their words, they lied to him with their tongues; 37: for their hearts were not right with him, and they were unfaithful to his covenant (CJB)
-Psalm 78:36-37
Yet they tempted and provoked The Most High EL, and kept not his testimonies. 37: And they turned back and broke covenant, even as also their fathers: they became like a crooked bow. Septuagint
-Psalm 78:36-37
God is spirit; and worshippers must worship him spiritually and truly. (CJB)
-John 4:24
The heart is more deceitful than anything else and mortally sick. Who can fathom it? 10: I, YAHWEH, search the heart; I test inner motivations; in order to give to everyone what his actions and conduct deserve.
-Jeremiah 17:9-10
This is my commandment, that there must be love among you, as I love you. (CJB)
-John 15:12
But I can enter your house because of your great grace and love; I will bow down toward your holy temple in reverence for you. 9: Lead me, YAHWEH, in your righteousness because of those lying in wait for me; make your way straight before me. 10: For in their mouths there is nothing sincere, within them are calamities, their throats are open tombs, they flatter with their tongues. (CJB)
-Psalm 5:8-10
Help, Adonai! For no one godly is left; the faithful have vanished from humankind. 3: They all tell lies to each other, flattering with their lips, but speaking from divided hearts. 4: May Adonai cut off all flattering lips and the tongue that speaks so proudly. (CJB)
-Psalm 12:2-4
[My companion] attacked those who were at peace with him; he broke his solemn word. 22: What he said sounded smoother than butter,
but his heart was at war. His words seemed more soothing than oil, but in fact they were sharp swords.(CJB)
-Psalm 55:21-22
Better open rebuke than hidden love. 6: Wounds from a friend are received as well-meant (CJB)
-Proverbs 27:5-6
He who rebukes another person in the end gets more thanks than the flatterer. (CJB)
-Proverbs 28:23
I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put snares alongside the teaching in which you have been trained — keep away from them. 18: For men like these are not serving our Lord the Messiah but their own belly; by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the innocent.
-Romans 16:17-19
Instead, since God has tested us and found us fit to be entrusted with Good News, this is how we speak: not to win favor with people but with God, who tests our hearts. 5: For, as you know, never did we employ flattering talk, nor did we put on a false front to mask greed — God is witness. 6: Nor did we seek human praise — either from you or from others.
-1 Thessalonians 2:4-6
With all her sweet talk she convinces him, enticing him with her seductive words. 22: At once he follows her like an ox on its way to be slaughtered; like a fool to be punished in the stocks
-Proverbs 7:21-22
Yes, my insides feel like new wine under pressure, like new wineskins ready to burst. 20: I must speak, to find relief; I will open my lips and answer. 21: I will show no favor to anyone, and I will flatter no one; 22: I don’t know how to flatter; if I did, my maker would soon put an end to me. (CJB)
-Job 19-22
There will arise in his place a despicable man not entitled to inherit the majesty of the kingdom, but he will come without warning and gain the kingdom by intrigue. 22: Large armies will be broken and swept away before him, as well as the prince of the covenant. 23: Alliances will be made with him, but he will undermine them by deceit. (other translations use the word flattery) Then, although he will have but a small following, he will emerge and become strong. (CBJ)
-Daniel 11:21-23
Armed forces will come at his order and profane the sanctuary and fortress. They will abolish the daily burnt offering and set up the abomination that causes desolation. 32: Those who act wickedly against the covenant he will corrupt with his blandishments, (other translations say seduce with flattery) but the people who know their God will stand firm and prevail. 33: Those among the people who have discernment will cause the rest of the people to understand what is happening; nevertheless, for a while they will fall victim to sword, fire, exile and pillage. (CJB)
-Daniel 11:31-33