BEWARE THOSE THAT FLATTER

Psalm 12:3

“May the Lord cut off their flattering lips and silence their boastful tongues.”

            They are called schmoozers, conmen, manipulators and users.  They flatter and boast to impress with the ulterior motive of being persuasive.  Beware of such people. They come in all sizes and shapes, male and female, young and old.  They believe their power to influence comes from their words.  The power source of these manipulations is the heart.*

            It is our heart’s motivation that differentiates a good man from an evil man.  Since God is the only One who can truly know the motivation of one’s heart, we are not to judge others.  That being said we can be fruit inspectors. We can tell by a person’s words and actions the type of individual they are.  Scripture tells us in Matthew 10:16 to be “wise as serpents and harmless as doves”.  We must develop discernment to avoid being fooled by a flatterer.  Discernment is the use of keen insight and good judgment regarding what is being said and/or who is saying it.  It is a spiritual gift that the Holy Spirit can give us.

            God judges man. We are to lead men to God.  God is kind and forgiving; slow to anger, abounding in love and mercy.  As we seek His face we shall find peace and obtain the ability to deal effectively with those around us who may have evil intent.  Be spirit led. Block out the clang and clatter of this world and listen to the Spirit of God. He desires to speak to your heart.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

* Psalm 26:2 “Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart.”

Luke 6:45 “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.”