Flattery is cheap, but can it make us stronger? - Proverbs 6:24

SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 6:24 (KJV)
"To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman."

A STORY:
A pastor was leaving the church as its pastor. An old lady, at his farewell reception, said, “The next pastor will never take your place.” To which the pastor, trying not to be flattered, replied, “Oh, madam, I don’t think so.” The dear soul quickly responded with, “It is true. I’ve been in this church for a long time and have lived through eight pastors and each one was worse than the previous one.”

AN OBSERVATION:
Flattery is cheap. It comes with little meaning. It is offered because the individual usually cannot think of something to insightful to share. Flattery is just empty words thrown around. The challenge is not to allow any of those empty words to stick.

Bishop Nolan Harmon, retired, was one of my professors at seminary. He was fond of saying, “Believe only half of what you hear at the back door to the sanctuary, but only hear it with one ear.” In other words don’t allow the words to take root in your brain.

Pride is an excellent ingredient in doing our work – as a pastor or as a layperson. Arrogance can follow rather closely on the heels of pride if we start buying into the general comments and praise that is often thrown around. An emotional and spiritual fall follows rather closely to the onset of arrogance.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 it states: “…give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” This includes, not only the blessings and grace-filled moments, but also for those evil and strange people in our life; for those who give empty flattery comments on everything that we do; it means for those who tear you down … in every situation give thanks because if we listen carefully we just might learn something about ourselves.

Wasn’t it Nietzsche who said, “That which doesn’t break us will make us stronger”? Praise God for strength building encounters … even from evil and strange people.

PRAYER:
Help us to hear, amongst all the words that come our way, your strong voice. May it make us stronger and ever ready to do your heavenly will. Amen.