The Worldly Flattery

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Acts 14:11

Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, "The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!"

 

Bible Reading for a Year [bible]psalm95[/bible]; [bible]0luke16[/bible]; [bible]danie9-10[/bible]

 

British Prime Minister Winston Churchill was once asked, “Don’t you feel so honored? Every time you give speech, many people flock to hear you. They flatter you so much!” The minister said, “Every time I want to claim credit, I remember one thing: if one day I was executed by hanging, number of people witnessing it would be multiplied.”

The worldly flattery is deceptive and fickle. When Lord Jesus entered Jerusalem the crowds welcomed Him. However, in the next few days, the very same crowds yelled, “Crucify Him!”

The Apostle Paul had the same experience. After healing a paralyzed man in Lystra, people were stunned. They thought that Paul and Barnabas were gods. They were worshiped and given offering. But when the Jews have persuaded them, they stoned Paul ([bible]0acts14:19[/bible]).

Thankfully, Paul and Barnabas were not thirst for flattery. Indeed, both of them pitied those people. Paul tried to explain that only God who is worthy to be praised. He could not steal God’s glory.  

Anyone likes to be flattered. As a matter of fact, it is not wrong to feel flattered when we are praised by others. It is wrong when we are thirst for flattery. Flattery can mislead; it quickly vanishes. It is better for us to do our best, regardless of being flattered or not.

 

Flattery is like a gum; you can chew it for a while, but you may not swallow it.