Proverbs 26:28 A lying tongue hates those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth works ruin. I. WHAT FLATTERY IS. Solomon calls it "a mouth that flatters." All that comes from the flatterer is complaisant, only heartiness and sincerity are wanting. All that appears is "a fair semblance," but very falsehood. The actor in this tragedy never forgets himself and his own advantage, stripping the novice he hath coaxed, and living on him whom he deceived. There are two kinds of flattery: a self-flattery, and a flattery from others. As to the qualities of flattery, it may be hellish, revengeful, servile, cowardly, covetous, or envious. Love to be flattered is a disease of human nature. It is an immoderate desire of praise. When this desire prevails, we believe what the flatterer saith; set the value on ourselves by what such affirm of us. Another branch of love to be flattered is an affected seeking to ourselves, or giving unto others unnecessary occasions of setting forth the worth of our persons, actions, and qualifications, according to the standard of flatterers; a well-pleasedness to hear the great and good things by dissembling flatterers ascribed to us which either we never did, or did in manner much below what they report them. But — II. LOVE OF UNDUE PRAISE IS PERNICIOUS. It destroys virtuous principles, natural inclinations to good, estates, reputation, safety and life, the soul and its happiness. III. WHAT MAY BEST EFFECT ITS CURE? 1. Consider the bad name that flattery hath ever had. 2. View the deplorable miseries it hath filled the world with. 3. Suspect all who come to you with undue praise. 4. Reject the friendship of the man who turns due praises into flattery. 5. Look on flattery, and your love for it, as diametrically opposed to God in the truth of all His Word. 6. Cultivate generous and pure love to all that is good. 7. Get and keep the humble frame of heart. Undue love of the praise of men is sacrilegious robbery of God. (Henry Hurst, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.WEB: A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin. |
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