Definition and Nature:
Flattery is the act of giving excessive and insincere praise, often to further one's own interests. In the biblical context, flattery is generally viewed negatively, as it is associated with deceit and manipulation. The Bible warns against the use of flattery as it can lead to falsehood and moral corruption.

Biblical References and Context:
Flattery is mentioned several times in the Bible, often in the context of deceit and wickedness. Proverbs 26:28 states, "A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes ruin." This verse highlights the destructive nature of flattery, equating it with lies and suggesting that it can lead to harm and downfall.

In the Psalms, flattery is associated with deceitful speech. Psalm 12:2-3 says, "They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart. May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and the tongue that speaks proud things." Here, flattery is linked with duplicity and pride, indicating that it is not merely harmless praise but a tool of deception.

The Apostle Paul also warns against flattery in his letters. In 1 Thessalonians 2:5 , he writes, "As you know, we never used words of flattery or any pretext for greed. God is our witness!" Paul emphasizes the sincerity of his message and contrasts it with the insincere motives often behind flattery.

Moral and Spiritual Implications:
Flattery is seen as morally and spiritually dangerous because it can lead individuals away from truth and integrity. It is often used to manipulate others for personal gain, which is contrary to the biblical call for honesty and love. Proverbs 29:5 warns, "A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet." This suggests that flattery can entrap both the flatterer and the one being flattered, leading them into moral pitfalls.

Contrast with Encouragement:
While flattery is insincere and self-serving, genuine encouragement is encouraged in the Bible. Encouragement seeks to build others up in truth and love, without ulterior motives. Hebrews 3:13 advises, "But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness." This form of positive reinforcement is rooted in sincerity and aims to strengthen faith and community.

Warnings and Wisdom:
The Bible provides wisdom on how to discern and avoid flattery. Proverbs 20:19 advises, "He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a babbling flatterer." This suggests that one should be cautious of those who use flattery, as they may also be prone to gossip and betrayal.

In summary, flattery is consistently portrayed in the Bible as a negative and deceitful practice. It is contrasted with genuine encouragement and truthfulness, which are virtues that believers are called to uphold. The biblical warnings against flattery serve as guidance for maintaining integrity and sincerity in relationships and communication.1. (n.) One who, or that which, makes flat or flattens.

2. (n.) A flat-faced fulling hammer.

3. (n.) A drawplate with a narrow, rectangular orifice, for drawing flat strips, as watch springs, etc.

4. (v. t.) To treat with praise or blandishments; to gratify or attempt to gratify the self-love or vanity of, esp. by artful and interested commendation or attentions; to blandish; to cajole; to wheedle.

5. (v. t.) To raise hopes in; to encourage or favorable, but sometimes unfounded or deceitful, representations.

6. (v. t.) To portray too favorably; to give a too favorable idea of; as, his portrait flatters him.

7. (v. i.) To use flattery or insincere praise.

4525. saino -- to wag the tail, hence to greet, flatter, disturb
... to wag the tail, hence to greet, flatter, disturb. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration:
saino Phonetic Spelling: (sah'-ee-no) Short Definition: I move, disturb ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4525.htm - 6k3655. kanah -- to title, give an epithet
... 3654, 3655. kanah. 3656 . to title, give an epithet. Transliteration: kanah
Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-naw') Short Definition: flatter. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/3655.htm - 6k

6601. pathah -- to be spacious, wide or open
... allure, deceive, enlarge, entice, flatter, persuade, silly one A primitive
root; to open, ie Be (causatively, make) roomy; usually ...
/hebrew/6601.htm - 5k

2505. chalaq -- to divide, share
... deal, distribute, divide, flatter, give, have, imparter, take away a portion,
A primitive root; to be smooth (figuratively); by ...
/hebrew/2505.htm - 5k

2505b. chalaq -- to be smooth, slippery
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to be smooth, slippery NASB Word Usage faithless
(1), flatter (1), flatters (5), smoother (1), smooths (1). 2505a, 2505b. ...
/hebrew/2505b.htm - 5k

Do You Flatter Yourself on Account of the Attribute of virginity? ...
... Chapter VIII. Do you flatter yourself on account of the attribute of virginity? ... Do
you flatter yourself on account of the attribute of virginity? ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter viii do you flatter.htm

But we Merely, You Say, Flatter the Emperor, and Feign These ...
... Chapter XXXI. But we merely, you say, flatter the emperor, and feign these
prayers of ours to? But we merely, you say, flatter ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter xxxi but we merely.htm

Let us Therefore not Flatter the Catholic who is Hemmed in with ...
... Book IV. Chapter 19. " 27. Let us therefore not flatter the Catholic
who is hemmed in with all? "27. Let us therefore not ...
/.../writings in connection with the donatist controversy /chapter 19 27 let.htm

Wherefore, I Beseech You, O virgin, do not Flatter Yourself on the ...
... The Doubtful Letters Of Sulpitius Severus. Chapter X. Wherefore, I beseech
you, O virgin, do not flatter yourself on the ground of your? ...
/.../life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter x wherefore i beseech.htm

Faustus of Timida Regia Said: "Let not These Persons Flatter ...
... Book VII. Chapter 22. " 42. Faustus of Timida Regia said: "Let not these
persons flatter themselves who favor? "42. Faustus ...
/.../chapter 22 42 faustus.htm

God Just as Well as Merciful; Accordingly, Mercy must not be ...
... to judge another's servant?' [725] Remit, and remission shall be made to thee.'"
[726] Such and so great futilities of theirs wherewith they flatter God and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/on modesty/chapter ii god just as well.htm

Of the Infirmity of the Flesh, and Similar Pleas.
... Footnotes: [370] Matthew 26:41. [371] Adulamur: "we fawn upon," or "caress," or
"flatter." Comp. de P??n., c. vi. sub init.: "flatter their own sweetness.". ...
/.../tertullian/to his wife/chapter iv of the infirmity of.htm

Acts X
... There are many men, at the present day, in whose favor not so much can be said,
who flatter themselves that their prospects for eternity are good. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts x.htm

Baptism not to be Presumptously Received it Requires Preceding ...
... former deeds; just as fruits, when they are already beginning to turn into the sourness
or bitterness of age, do yet still in some part flatter [8466] their ...
/.../tertullian/on repentance/chapter vi baptism not to be.htm

Psalm L.
... His punishments to be feared, let each one measure [1676] in himself; and let him
put his conscience without deceit before His eyes, and not flatter himself in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm l.htm

Flatter (5 Occurrences)
... 7. (vi) To use flattery or insincere praise. Multi-Version Concordance Flatter
(5 Occurrences). ... Their throat is an open tomb. They flatter with their tongue. ...
/f/flatter.htm - 8k

Smooth (39 Occurrences)
... 15. (v.) To ease; to regulate. 16. (vi) To flatter; to use blandishment.
Multi-Version Concordance Smooth (39 Occurrences). Luke ...
/s/smooth.htm - 18k

Yawning (1 Occurrence)
... Psalms 5:9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; Their inward part is very
wickedness; Their throat is an open sepulchre; They flatter with their tongue ...
/y/yawning.htm - 6k

Gulf (3 Occurrences)
... Psalms 5:9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; Their inward part is very
wickedness; Their throat is an open sepulchre; They flatter with their tongue ...
/g/gulf.htm - 9k

Word (8118 Occurrences)
... 11. (vt) To ply with words; also, to cause to be by the use of a word or words.
12. (vt) To flatter with words; to cajole. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/w/word.htm - 16k

Fawn (2 Occurrences)
... 5. (vi) To bring forth a fawn. 6. (vi) To court favor by low cringing, frisking,
etc., as a dog; to flatter meanly; -- often followed by on or upon. ...
/f/fawn.htm - 7k

Forwardness (2 Occurrences)
... Version (British and American) "your readiness"; The Wisdom of Solomon APC Wis
14:17, "that by their forwardness (spoude) they might flatter," the Revised ...
/f/forwardness.htm - 13k

Flattens (1 Occurrence)

/f/flattens.htm - 6k

Flattered (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Flatter. Multi-Version Concordance
Flattered (1 Occurrence). Psalms 78:36 But they flattered ...
/f/flattered.htm - 6k

Feign (11 Occurrences)
... Judah hath not returned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly" (Jeremiah
3:10; compare APC 2Esdras 8:28); kahash, "to lie," "to feign, or flatter" (2Sa 12 ...
/f/feign.htm - 12k

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