How does Luke 20:21 connect with Proverbs 29:5 on the dangers of flattery? Luke 20:21—A Snapshot of False Praise “Teacher,” they said, “we know that You speak and teach what is right, and that You show no partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.” • Religious leaders send spies who pretend respect • Their honey–tongued words hide a trap: “to catch Him in what He said” (v. 20) • The compliment is accurate—Jesus does teach truth—but the motive is corrupt Proverbs 29:5—The Net Beneath the Compliment “A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.” • “Flatter” (ḥālâq) = smooth, slippery speech • “Spreads a net” = sets a snare for capture • The verse assumes literal danger: flattery is a hunting tactic, not harmless chatter The Common Thread 1. Same method: smooth words that sound honoring 2. Same motive: hidden agenda to harm the listener 3. Same outcome: a “net” meant to entangle—Jesus for arrest, the neighbor for ruin 4. Same warning: do not take every compliment at face value; test the spirit behind it (1 John 4:1) Why Flattery Is Spiritually Toxic • It weaponizes truth for deceit (Psalm 55:21) • It feeds pride—an ancient snare of the devil (1 Titus 3:6) • It masks hatred (Proverbs 26:24–28) • It erodes trust within the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:25) • God explicitly condemns it (Jude 16; 1 Thessalonians 2:5) Encouragement vs. Flattery—Spotting the Difference " Genuine Encouragement " Sinful Flattery " " --- " --- " " Seeks the other’s good " Seeks self-gain " " Anchored in objective truth " May exaggerate or misrepresent " " Willing to offer loving correction (Proverbs 27:6) " Avoids hard truth to manipulate " " Glorifies God " Glorifies the speaker or listener " Guardrails for the Heart • Stay rooted in God’s Word; His truth exposes deceit (Hebrews 4:12) • Pray for discernment before receiving praise (Philippians 1:9–10) • Examine motives when praising others (Psalm 139:23–24) • Cultivate humility; flattery finds no foothold in a humble heart (James 4:6) • Surround yourself with honest companions who sharpen rather than flatter (Proverbs 27:17) Living the Better Way—Truth in Love • Speak words that build up, not butter up (Ephesians 4:29) • Honor others sincerely (Romans 12:10) • Let love be without hypocrisy (Romans 12:9) • Follow Christ’s example: He never manipulated with compliments, yet freely affirmed faith and obedience where genuine (Matthew 15:28; Luke 7:9) Luke 20:21 vividly demonstrates the snare Proverbs 29:5 warns about. Recognizing the danger of flattery—and choosing truthful, edifying speech instead—keeps both our feet and our hearts free from the enemy’s net. |
    |