Day 183

         The theme this week is communication.  The wisdom literature of the Proverbs and the poetry of the Psalms have much to say about how we communicate.  Sometimes this communication happens internally, sometimes it happens with other people, and sometimes it happens between us and God.  So much of life involves communication, so I hope that you are able to glean much from the devotionals this week.

Proverbs 25-29. “Flattery”

         I assume you have heard of the TV show American Idol.  Basically, the show is a singing competition.  My favorite part of the show is the audition segment in the first few weeks.  It never fails that a few people will audition who are poor singers, but think they are good because all their friends say they are good.  Either these friends are terrible judges of musical talent, or they were saying flattering words to boost this person’s self-esteem.
         This is the danger of flattery.  It is terribly misleading, if not entirely wrong.  Proverbs tells us that flattery causes ruin (26:28), that it is a trap for people (29:5), and that it is less appreciated than frankness (28:23).
         Flattery can be as subtle as it is destructive.  It can be easy to justify the use of flattery as well.  How bad can something we say be if it results in someone feeling better about themselves.  Even though you love and care for the person that you are speaking with, the Bible tells us to speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15), not speak a half-truth or choose to omit the truth.
         Flattery may sound nice, but in the end someone will get hurt.

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?