INTRODUCTION

We have been led to believe that flattery makes others feel good and that it is a kind thing to do, but the picture presented by the scripture is contrary to this line of thinking. Flattery harms the person being flattered and the flatterer. In Proverbs 26:28A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
See All..., we read that "A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin." What we have been led to believe builds up, in reality, destroys. This truth is confirmed in Proverbs 29:5A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.
See All... where the Bible says, "A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet." Even the flatterer is harmed by flattery. In Job 17:5He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail.
See All..., we read "He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail." Flattery is harmful to all who are involved.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For smaller children) Because they hated Daniel, presidents and princes flattered Kind Darius into signing a law that couldn't be changed (Daniel 6:3-9 [3] Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. [4] Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. [5] Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God. [6] Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever. [7] All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. [8] Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. [9] Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.
  See All...). The king was hurt because Daniel had to be cast into a den of lions. God saved Daniel, and the evil men were cast to the lions.
• What are some ways in which a person could be harmed by be-ing flattered? How could flattery set that person up for pride and false confidence?
• How does flattery work to destroy a person when by all appearances it seems to build them up? What are some examples of how this works?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to show you how harmful flattery can be.
• Ask God to protect you from both sides of flattery.

HYMN

Yield Not to Temptation

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